Travel sites 'could be in for biggest year ever'

New research has predicted that online providers of travel services could be in for their biggest year ever as holidaymakers turn to the internet in search of cheap deals.

After carrying out a major customer survey, eDigitalResearch and the Interactive Media in Retail Group concluded that people will "flock to travel websites" this year.

More than half (57 per cent) of the respondents to the study said they will not be altering their travel plans because of the credit crunch but will look for holidays online to find affordable offers.

A similar proportion (58 per cent) said they are mainly influenced by price when deciding who to book with and 47 per cent reported that they are hoping to spend less on their travels in 2009.

Michelle Fuller, director of eDigitalResearch, said: "It is clear that online travel retailers have an amazing opportunity ahead of them this year.

"As travel companies offer increasingly competitive deals online, more and more people are relying on the internet, not for just background research, but to book their holidays."

Destinations such as Egypt, Croatia and Turkey could prove popular with Brits this year as they offer the advantage of close proximity while being outside the eurozone.

Posted by Andrew, 04 March 2009 16:02

News tags