New study finds Orbitz winner for hotel bookings
A new study found Orbitz.com ranking highest in customer satisfaction with booking hotel reservations online through an independent travel Web site.
Orbitz rated particularly high for its ease of booking hotel rooms, said J. D. Power in its inaugural Hotel Web Site Study.
Expedia.com, Hotwire,com and Travelocity.com were ranked in that order, according to Business Wire.
J. D. Power rated the companies based on several factors, including usefulness of the information, availability of packages, ease of finding information and ease of navigation.
Overall, 41% of all hotel reservations were booked online in 2005, the study said. That figure was up from 36% in 2004.
Among guests who booked online, about two-thirds did it through the hotel brand Web site. Those numbers are also increasing.
“Independent sites already have a clear advantage over hotel brands in offering one-stop shopping for travelers in terms of packages that include hotel, airfare and rental cars,” said Linda Hirneise, a practice leader at J. D. Power.
The study also found that guests who book their hotel reservations online are very heavy cross-shoppers.
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 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps