UK Ferry Tickets

The Internet is appealing to an increasing number of affluent citizens in the US and more of them are using the web to book travel, according to a new survey.

The research, conducted by Nielsen NetRatings, which measures Internet audiences, quashes the myth that only young people and those looking for the cheapest deals consult the web.

In the US, all socio-economic groups are using and booking travel over the net and, although they all want good value, they are not necessarily expecting the cheapest deal. As usual, the US trends are likely to be repeated in the UK.

Nielsen found that the number of Internet users with annual household incomes over $150,000 (£79,000) increased to 10.3 million in the US in January, a 20 per cent rise over the same period last year.

Nielsen reveals that the majority of visitors to online travel sites in the US are from middle and lower income households.

But the highest earners make the most travel purchases.  Some 25 per cent of Internet users with incomes of less than $35,000 (£18,500) have made an online travel purchase, compared with 46 per cent of those with incomes of $75,000 (£39,500).

The growth in the use of the Internet partly explains the public’s growing indifference towards high street travel agents.

In a poll by trade paper TTG, a cross section of independent travellers said they lacked specialist knowledge and experience, and only sold package holidays.

No wonder the Association of British Travel Agents is planning a new marketing campaign to promote the benefits of its members to the general public!

Guest Article by

Jeremy Skidmore

Thursday, February 3rd, 2005