A first: more US travel bought online than off
For the first time last year, more travel was purchased online than off-line in the US, according to thePhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey.
“The gap between online and off-line will continue to widen as more and more travelers shift behavior to online shopping and buying,” predicted the report.
The study said that 51% of US travel was booked online in 2007, and it projected that percentage to increase to 56% in 2008 and 60% in 2009.
The survey also said that travel products with multiple components, such as vacation packages, are being purchased less frequently online, while simple components – plane tickets, for example – are being purchased more frequently.
The report also found that travel Web sites are evolving, with more of them offering features like group travel planning and booking, along with content generated by a community of readers and users.
PhoCusWright is a travel industry research company.
Report by David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism