Google, Yahoo and MSN are now travellers' first port of call for researching travel plans
Last updated 02/06/2009 12:25:23
Luckier online.
Orlando, Florida - 66% of leisure travellers now use the internet to plan their travels compared to only 35% in 2005, according to National Travel MONITORSM latest survey.
56% report making reservations online, a 37% rise since 2000.
The nationally representative survey of 1,590 active travellers was conducted during the months of February and March, 2009, and is co-authored annually by Ypartnership and Yankelovich, Inc.
"Consumers' search behaviour has changed in recent years as people have become more familiar with search technology and the number of travel planning/purchasing sites has grown exponentially," said Peter C. Yesawich, chairman and CEO of Ypartnership.
Websites of a specific countries or destination boards are visited next, followed by online travel agencies such as Expedia and Travelocity. Only one percent (1%) of travellers commence their search for a vacation destination by visiting a blog.
Visit First When Selecting a Destination:
Search engine like Google, Yahoo, MSN - 34%
Web site of national tourist office/CVB - 23%
Online travel agency like Expedia, Travelocity - 22%
Web site of hotel chain - 8%
Web site of individual hotel or resort - 7%
Web Blog - 1%