Are Long-Range Guide Bookings a Thing of the Past?
Oddly enough, we’re hearing from multiple sources, spread throughout the country, about a new phenomenon in that long-range bookings are shrinking in number, and last-minute or closer-to-date bookings are up. And this is happening with many longstanding clients who used to book well in advance, but are now choosing to cut things closer. That hasn’t necessarily meant a downturn in total business. One guide we spoke with said he’s been “up” the last three years in a row, but the business is all coming within weeks or days, and not on the books months in advance? Is the client who used to have a standing date the last Saturday of every month becoming more scarce as they can factor in things like weather and flexible airfare to optimize their experiences? You tell us…