Anthony thrives despite slowdown
By Liz Kahling
News Writer
While the dollar may not get the average college backpacker as far in Europe as it used to, the sluggish travel industry has not affected Notre Dame and Saint Mary's local travel agent, Anthony Travel President John Anthony said.
Despite changes in the travel industry in the last two years, Anthony said Anthony Travel continues to add new clients to its already strong and narrow niche among universities and athletics.
"We offer services for these markets that others [travel agencies] don't. That makes our growth reasonable during the economic downturn," Anthony said.
Just last year Anthony Travel won a national bid to serve Purdue University in addition to other locations at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Central Missouri State and Dallas. While pressure and changes have increased in the travel industry, so too have the opportunities for Anthony Travel.
"The customer is looking around to see what you can do for them. We offer unique services for our unique clients," Anthony said.
Many students who plan on going abroad have utilized Anthony Travel to purchase wholesale student fares, passport photos, Eurorail passes and an International Student ID card all in one stop. A new service being offered to students, especially freshmen, is the student travel club. For a one-time fee of $250, freshmen will be exempt from Anthony Travel fees on personal airline tickets for all four years. They will additionally be enrolled in frequent flyer programs, receive personalized luggage tags, a $25 discount coupon for spring break tour packages and notification of important travel issues.
Faculty also receive discounts for certain airlines. Anthony Travel can bill the faculty's grant directly, saving paperwork. Notre Dame's athletic department saves $100,000 each year by booking teams' traveling needs through Anthony Travel.
Anthony reports that there has been a 15 percent drop in Point A to Point B travel but these gaps have been filled with new clients. They are currently in discussion with two other universities.
Another factor contributing to Anthony Travel's success is their excellent reputation among students and parents.
"I think there's a comfort factor for the parents to be able to call us up and order their child's airline ticket with their credit card and tell their child to just come to us to pick it up," said Anthony. "It's just nice to know that if something goes wrong, we're here for you."
Anthony Travel also does extensive research for the ever-scandalous spring break deals that have scammed unsuspecting college kids time and again.
"We find reputable trips that may not necessarily be the cheapest but may be the best value for the quality and the price," he said.
All News Stories for Monday, September 2, 2002
