More Aussies 'booking ahead online'

Australian travellers are increasingly booking their flights and hotels well in advance via the internet, according to new research.

Nearly two-thirds of flights from Australia purchased through the Zuji website were booked four weeks or more in advance during the third quarter of 2006, according to its Online Travel Report for the period.

In addition, 48 per cent of hotel reservations were made within a similar timeframe.

"Australian travellers are becoming increasingly savvy when purchasing travel online," commented Peter Smith, general manager for Zuji.

"They know that booking at the 11th hour often results in some sort of compromise - whether it be a price increase, unavailable travel dates or your favourite hotel being booked out."

Earlier this month, another report from the website revealed that females in New Zealand are more savvy when it comes to booking flights over the internet than others throughout the Asia Pacific region.

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