More Than 80 Percent of Consumers Rely on Online Agencies for Travel Research

More than 80 percent of consumers rely on online agencies for their travel research. Booking on the Internet also eliminates travel agents' commissions. Most Web sites charge an insignificant $5 or $6 processing fee. Web sites are now also providing much deeper discounts for hotel rooms.

Before the Internet, books were where travelers seeking information would turn. Travel books, a Spanish English phrasebook, or literature like Hemingway's stories about Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro drew people to online book stores and libraries. ¹

Visitors going overseas will often have long plane, train, and bus rides, which are the perfect places to read up on your destination along the way. Airport and online book stores offer some of the best literature in an easy to follow format. You can find some very inexpensive used books with free or low cost shipping, or which you can get sent to you more inexpensively if you use the book rate. ²

"[Forrester] data shows that there are some nagging issues that keep Web travelers from booking online," a recent Forrester report reads. "Three reasons -- concern about credit-card security, in ability to make specific requests online and frustration with Web-site performance -- have shown noticeable growth in one year." ³

Specifically, the number of consumers concerned with submitting their credit-card information online has doubled. Dubbed lookers, 27% of this class of online travel planner in 2005 said they book offline for fear of credit-card theft, and in 2006 32% said that is the reason they use traditional travel-reservation methods. ⁴

Lonely Planet guides are one of the most popular travel books in the world. This series covers a bevy of destinations as well as tailored guides. These books are filled with colorful photographs, well-presented information and are very easy to read. Walking guides, phrase books, as well as shoestring guides for travelers on a budget are some of the Lonely Planet guides you can use to help you plan for your next journey. ⁵

Web travelers cited limited capabilities with the online reservation system as a reason for booking offline. About 25% in 2006 and 19% in 2005 cited "an inability to make a special request, such as asking for a particular type of room or model of a car." Forrester says online travel sites must update legacy systems to reflect the ever-growing demands of savvy travelers. "Until travelers have the same control online to consistently specify everything they would to a call-center agent, the inability to make special requests will dilute travel's online sales success," the report reads. ⁶

Lets Go is another popular choice of travel books for young people and students. These are a fun and simple read, and have a range of information for all sorts of travelers. These books contain a great deal of information in its small size. It too, has color photos, however, they are all grouped in part of the book, and the rest is mainly text. You will appreciate the extra information on low cost lodging and the background on the country these books also supply. Since 1960 they've been publishing travel guides, so this is a well-known series and is highly recommended. ⁷

Frommers' is another trusted and reliable source of up-to-date travel information and guide books. Their books can be found on all the online book stores, and their website has an extensive online travel guide as well as an email newsletter. Whether you're looking for the easiest, most portable Spanish English phrasebook or just a simple colorful guide with a map to guide you, these three main publishers should be able fill your needs when you're shopping for travel books. ⁸

References
1. www.destination360.com
2. www.destination360.com
3. www.networkworld.com
4. www.networkworld.com
5. www.destination360.com
6. www.networkworld.com
7. www.destination360.com
8. www.destination360.com

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