PhoCusWright has released a comprehensive study of the tour operator and packaged travel market in the U.S. The study, commissioned by ASTA and researched by PhoCusWright, looks to streamline information on the tour operator market which, according to PhoCusWright, was worth over $18.3 billion in gross travel sales in 2008.

Tour operators have lowered prices an average 20 percent compared to 2008 on many vacations, in response to the soft economy and stronger U.S. dollar in many destinations, according to the U.S. Tour Operators Association. A recent member survey revealed a range of savings, from 10 percent to more than 50 percent for the same vacation when compared to last year.

Canada’s WestJet announced it will reduce agency commissions from 9 percent to 7 percent as of July 1, but that announcement was applauded in Canada because the carrier’s original intentions were to lower agent pay to 4 percent.

Despite a challenging environment, spending by visitors to the U.S. increased to $52 billion in 2008, up $7 billion from 2007, as measured by spending on Visa-branded payments cards by international visitors.

Arcandor, the majority shareholder in Thomas Cook, has filed to open insolvency proceedings. In a statement, Arcandor said that “the aim of these proceedings is to continue the restructuring of the company and its subsidiaries that is already underway with an insolvency plan and to ensure their existence.”

In spite of the challenging economy, the latest travel research shows that shopping remains a desirable activity for leisure travelers, ahead of other popular vacation pastimes.