More than half of all holidays and flights are expected to be booked online next year, the first time when web sales ove

More than half of all holidays and flights are expected to be booked online next year, the first time when web sales overtake the high street, according to Thomson, which attributed such development to travel industry figures. Travel websites are replacin

Published: 15 May 2006

More than half of all holidays and flights are expected to be booked online next year, the first time when web sales overtake the high street, according to Thomson, which attributed such development to travel industry figures. Travel websites are replacin

Thomson confirmed that its online bookings are three years ahead of its predictions - half its own holidays and flights are currently booked online - this is up from 38 percent in 2005. The growth in online bookings is attributed to company’s investment in creating easy to use sites with new innovations, such as destinations videos. With 1800 videos available online Thomson is aiming to add a new dimension to the
traditional holiday brochure. Thomson has seen an increase in online brochure requests and bookings for destinations such as Brazil, Dubai, Thailand, Western Australia and cruise holidays.

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.”

He added that 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,” said Morgan.

The company stated: “A new report out today shows that new online trends - blogging, podcasting, Google Earth and video streaming - combined with the rise of broadband in people’s homes is accelerating the rise of the virtual travel agent. Almost 20 million people are expected to book a flight or holiday online this year. And it’s not just the ipod generation who are buying their sun, sea and culture online. Silver surfers in their 50s and 60s are the fastest growing group of web travel bookers.”

Thomson will take more than five million people on overseas trips this year, up from four million last year. Although package holidays are still popular, the increase in Thomson’s business is driven by more people
pick and mixing their own flights, hotels and villas to build their own holiday.

Despite the growth in online travel Thomson still believes there is a role for travel agents in the future. The company has streamlined and enhanced its shop network over the last two years and now has 748 high street travel shops in prime shopping locations for customers who still want to discuss their travel plans face to face. But Thomson has diversified into new areas - such as selling overseas holiday homes -
to cater for changing customer trends.

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