In a down economy, more people are turning to the web to help plan their travel, according to a report from travel industry research group, PhoCusWright Inc.
PhoCusWright reports that monthly traffic and conversion for travel websites is up in almost all travel categories in the second quarter of 2009, compared to the same quarter of previous years. Online travel agencies and travel suppliers, including hotel booking engines and car rental facilities, showed increased traffic during the first half of 2009 compared to 2008 and 2007. According to the study, the online air travel category was down 15 percent in 2009 from 2008, not surprisingly due to the distressed economy.
“The reliance that consumers have on travel Web sites has not weakened one bit,” says Carroll Rheem, director, research at PhoCusWright in a press release. “Online channels are attracting, engaging and inspiring travelers who recognize that this year is actually a fantastic time to take a trip. Consumers are certainly spending less, but they are not giving up travel, nor are they turning away from the Web sites that offer them the selection and convenience they value.”
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“The online travel ecosystem now supports a diverse variety of transactional and informational sites—each playing a role in how consumers research, shop for and purchase travel,” said Rheem. “For example, we found that visitation to planning and review sites drives dramatic differences in hotel conversion rates. Understanding the intricate relationships that connect all travel sites is essential to setting the right strategic path.”
To read the full PhoCusWright report, click here.
© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer
