Destination Analysts recently released findings that point to the fact that the Web is an important tool for leisure travelers. Though more than four out of 10 respondents said that they would be cutting down on their travels because of the economy, there is still much to be said for the role that the Internet plays in travelers’ plans, especially as discounts and deals become that much more valuable.
In terms of travel services researched or purchased online by nonbusiness travelers, selecting a hotel or place to stay sat atop the list with 46.5% respondents indicating as much. Booking a hotel or lodging (43.2%) was second, followed by decisions for visiting particular destinations (39.7%), purchasing airline tickets (37.0%), selecting attractions or things to see and do (34.4%), selecting an airline (33.2%), reading about local culture, arts, heritage, or events (31.8%), deciding on how long to stay at a destination (25.1%), booking a rental car (22.4%), selecting a place to eat at a destination (21.5%), and selecting a car rental company (21.3%).
A Prospectiv study revealed that 72.2% of 500 respondents indicated that the Internet was their primary source for researching travel information, followed by family and friends (17.4%). Travel agents (3.8%), magazines and newspapers (3.4%), and TV and radio (3.2%) followed far behind.
An eMarketer article listing various sources on the matter notes that brands take a backseat to prices during times of economic hardship. It also notes that the high-end travel segment has not yet displayed symptoms of a slowdown, and is still going strong.
Source:
http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?id=1006428
Jason Hahn
e: jhahn221@gmail.com
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