Online travel carves a niche
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Regional online travel bookings forecasted to be worth US$15.8bn by 2014
Online travel bookings are carving a niche for themselves. This is authenticated with increasing statistics wherein it is seen that there is an increasing shift away from traditional channels with internet bookings expected to grow by another US$5.4 billion accounting for 22% of all travel bookings within two years. This will be highlighted at the ATM 2013 technology seminar series.
The topic of online versus traditional booking channels will once again be a key focus at the 2013 Arabian Travel Market technology seminar sessions touching upon the dramatic shift in consumer mindset over the last 12 months as travellers log on to technology for convenient airline and hotel bookings.
A shift in the attitude of the region’s travellers to new booking channels has seen online bookings grow by almost a third in 2012 to reach just under US$10.4bn, up 31% on 2011 figures.
“In 2011 alone, there was a 39% rise in online bookings in the region, and we are seeing a clear shift from dependence on traditional booking channels to online services,” said Mark Walsh, portfolio director, Reed Travel Exhibitions.