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May 19, 2006
According to a
study conducted by UK-based travel organizer Thomson, travel websites are
replacing travel agents as the most popular way to book a holiday. Travel
industry figures show that more than half of all holidays and flights are
expected to be booked online next year, which Thomson says is the first time
that web sales have overtaken the high street.
The study found
that almost 20 million people are expected to book a flight or holiday online
this year. Surprisingly, travelers in their 50s and 60s are the fastest growing
group of web travel bookers.
Miles Morgan,
Thomson sales and marketing director, said: "Travel websites are
effectively becoming virtual travel agents. The days when people picked a
holiday from a brochure and walked into a travel agent to book are over. We
have seen massive growth in online bookings over the last year as the site
content expands and the booking process becomes easier and fun to use.”
"The trend
for community sites is also impacting on how people buy holidays. People trust
the opinions of other people so we have made it possible for customers to
review holidays and post their opinions and pictures they have taken on our
website - we currently have more than 5000 reviews. This is the newest phase of
our 'tell it like it is' policy and commitment to giving our customers honest
views about the trip before they buy,” he added.
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