Trends in European Internet Travel Distribution

May 2, 2006

Trends in European Internet Travel Distribution
May 2, 2006 – According to the Centre for Regional and Tourism Research in Denmark, online travel sales increased by as much as 34 percent from 2004 to 2005 and reached EUR 25.2 billion in the European market in 2005 – or 10.3 percent of the market (up from EUR 18.9 bn. or 7.9 percent in 2004). A further increase of about 25 percent to about EUR 31.5 billion may be expected in 2006. This is 12.6 percent of the market. Additionally, the European online travel market could increase by 6 or 6.5 bn. EUR per year after 2006.

The UK reportedly accounted for 35 percent of the European online travel market in 2005, with Germany in second place at 20 percent. The direct sellers accounted for 66 percent of online sales in the European market in 2005, intermediaries 34 percent.

In 2005 the breakdown of the market by type of service was as follows: Airtravel 56 percent; Hotels 16 percent; Package tours 16 percent; Rail 10 percent; Rental cars 2 percent. Concentration in the European online travel agent market has increased following several acquisitions.

To read more, visit http://www.crt.dk/UK/staff/chm/trends.htm.