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CNN Sunday Morning

Interview With Richard Copland

Aired November 04, 2001 - 09:23   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: A check now on what has been a very sluggish travel business in the United States. Just ahead are the holidays.

Richard Copland heads the American Society of Travel Agents, and he joins us now from New York this morning.

Good morning to you, sir.

RICHARD COPLAND, AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL AGENTS: Good morning, Marty.

SAVIDGE: How bad has it been? What are the statistics telling us about the downturn in airline travel?

COPLAND: Well, as you know, the first four days after September 11, there was no business. Everything stopped. Then for a period of time, several weeks thereafter, there was nothing but cancellations. Business was off as much as 70 percent during the first month.

We've seen a decent comeback during the second month. We're probably now down to about 40 percent off of last year's numbers at this same time.

SAVIDGE: Now, is this the worst it has ever been historically?

COPLAND: I would say yes. The only thing that came close, back in 1991 for a period of time travel stopped. You have to remember the traveling public, a lot of them, thought that Baghdad was 500 miles from London. Nobody traveled anywhere.

SAVIDGE: We're talking about the Gulf War at that time?

COPLAND: Yes, the Gulf War in '91.

But as so many other things in life, in time that all came back, as I believe this will come back. You know, right now there is so much media frenzy -- and I'm not saying that the traveling public shouldn't be informed -- but it's basically just overkill, nothing but negative news coming out of there.

You know, the world is not in that bad of shape, although there are problems, and we have to address them. I'm hoping that we're going to get a security bill passed next week. That will be a major step in getting people to airports and back on airplanes.

SAVIDGE: And from what you know, is it that people are either afraid to fly, or is it that they believe the security measures that have been put in place simply are not enough to get them back into the air?

COPLAND: I think it's a combination of factors. I think security is the least of it. No. 1, there's just a basic doldrums. There's basically people that I see cowering in closets, you know, afraid to come out, which is really what the terrorists want.

You know, here in New York City, you know we have Mayor Giuliani who's made this big plea, very effectively, that people have to go on with their lives. But that's basically what's holding it up.

Security -- and I have flown many times since September 11 -- has been beefed up. Does more work have to be done? Yes. But certainly the airports and the airlines are much safer now than they were two months ago. But certainly it is an issue. I think in the short term it's going to be resolved very effectively.

SAVIDGE: All right, well I don't want to let you go without pointing out to us: What are the good deals that are out there that might get people back on the road traveling, flying, whatever?

COPLAND: I mean, you can go on cruises now, seven-day cruises for $299 or $399. You could travel to Europe round-trip probably for $250. There's nothing but value out there. My suggestion is, see your travel agent because without a travel agent you're on your own. And travel agents have nothing but good value out there.

SAVIDGE: Thank you. It's good advice. We wish you and the organization that you represent a lot of good luck in the future.

COPLAND: Thank you, Marty.

SAVIDGE: Richard Copland; he heads the American Society of Travel Agents. Thanks, again.

COPLAND: Thank you.

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