Internet overtakes agency bookings
More people are now booking through the internet than going to a travel agent, according to a new survey by market research company Mintel.
A poll of 1,300 adults revealed that in the past 12 months, 33 per cent booked holidays through the internet, while 32 per cent visited their travel agent. The other bookings went either direct to a tour operator, through teletext, newspapers and magazines.
The figures are thought to be heavily weighted by the huge growth in no-frills flights, which are almost exclusively booked over the internet.
Co-op Travel general manager, commercial, Mike Beaumont, speaking at a TravelMole Fast Conference in London, addressing new business opportunities for agents and operators, said the value of the package holiday was being under-estimated.
“I don’t think people realise when they book with a no-frills airline that they are not covered in the event of a failure,” he said. “The prices may look very attractive, but in reality the average cost of a no-frills airline seat is £140, which is a considerable amount of money.
“Look at how the tour operators looked after customers in the Caribbean during Hurricane Ivan. Operators also offer an enormous amount of flexibility for customers.”
The Mintel survey follows admissions by Thomson and Thomas Cook that they are considering cutting back on the number of travel agents, particularly in the south-east, following an increase in internet bookings.
Thomas Cook managing director of sales Steve Finlan said: “The number of people booking over the website is still relatively small, but it has increased by 400 per cent in the past two years and customers are more internet savvy in the south-east.”
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 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports