Google an Increasing Source of Traffic to tourism and key industries
Google accounted for almost two-thirds of all US searches in the four weeks ending 26 May, according to Hitwise.
Yahoo! Search, MSN Search and Ask.com each received 22, 8 and almost 4% respectively. The remaining 49 search engines in the Hitwise Search Engine Analysis Tool accounted for 1.66% of US searches.
Search engines continue to be the primary way Internet users navigate to key industry categories. Comparing May 2007 to May 2006, travel, news and media, entertainment, and business and finance categories received double digit increases in their share of traffic coming directly from search engines.
Hitwise provides its 1,200 clients around the world with daily insights on how their customers interact with a broad range of competitive web sites, and how their competitors use different tactics to attract online customers.
The survey results lend even more credence to recent rumors that Google is building its own travel brand. Who would it partner with?
Orbitz may be a likely candidate, says telecommunications and internet writer Russell Shaw.
They are owned by Cendant, itself owner of several hotel chains such as Wyndham, Ramada, Days Inn, Wingate Inn and Super 8. They also own car rental companies such as Avis and Budget.
“Perhaps coincidentally, perhaps not, but Orbitz happens to be based in Chicago, as apparently Google Travel will be,” writes Mr Shaw who speculates that Google Talk’s role could be as a click-to-call feature for listed hotels, restaurants, and maybe even Orbitz customer service.
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
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
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025