Study says direct supplier buying trends continue
Four in 10 online travel shoppers have shopped an online travel agency site, but ultimately purchased directly from a supplier, says a new report.
This behavior is more evident for air than any other travel segment, said PhoCusWright Inc.
Their survey found that more than half of online travel shoppers have looked at online travel agencies but ultimately purchased directly from an airline, either through the call center or a Web site.
“Clearly, loyalty remains elusive for online travel agencies and suppliers alike,” the report concluded. “But in the past two years, online travel agencies have been losing coveted customers to the supplier-direct channel, which includes the supplier Web site and call center.”
Another finding from the study: nearly four out of ten online travelers believe that suppliers offer the lowest prices, up from just 14% in 2002.
Susan Steinbrink, PhoCusWright analyst and author of the report, said:
“Online agencies have lost their footing with leisure travelers in 2004 as a result of aggressive supplier efforts to better manage inventory and win business through a combination of online and offline direct channels.”
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive