Introduction:

Holidaymakers are presented with a proliferation of choices when it comes to booking holidays. Certain industry trends of late have affected booking habits, such as the increase in short secondary-breaks and the rise in independent travel. These trends have also been influenced by an increased usage of the Internet as well as no-frills airlines.

The increasing use of the Internet has largely been at the expense of travel agents. Other technological advances will also see their usage dwindle even further unless they really start to manage the information available to them and capture back some market share by offering a more efficient tailor-made service. The increasing penetration of broadband will lead to more holidaymakers researching and booking holidays via the Internet and the up-take of digital TV will also see this medium becoming an influential booking tool in the future.

Introduction:

Holidaymakers are presented with a proliferation of choices when it comes to booking holidays. Certain industry trends of late have affected booking habits, such as the increase in short secondary-breaks and the rise in independent travel. These trends have also been influenced by an increased usage of the Internet as well as no-frills airlines.

The increasing use of the Internet has largely been at the expense of travel agents. Other technological advances will also see their usage dwindle even further unless they really start to manage the information available to them and capture back some market share by offering a more efficient tailor-made service. The increasing penetration of broadband will lead to more holidaymakers researching and booking holidays via the Internet and the up-take of digital TV will also see this medium becoming an influential booking tool in the future.

Mintel's exclusive consumer research and independent market analysis identifies precisely which consumers are using which channels for booking their holidays. Monitoring a growing sense of independence and confidence among consumers when booking their trips, the report offers an essential evaluation of prospects for each channel of booking. Is the internet really a threat to the travel agent or are travel sites merely a way for consumers to get ideas before booking? Are security fears still influencing people's decision not to book holidays online or is the convenience factor becoming anymore prevalent? Which booking channels are set to benefit most from future population trends? Mintel's report answers all the major industry questions. It also tracks how trends such as the increase in secondary short breaks, the growth of independent travel and the long-term growth of long-haul travel have influenced

This report offers you new insight into:

- Market factors

- Domestic holiday bookings

- Market size and trends

- Market segmentation

- The supply structure

- Consumer attitudes and trends

- Future trends

- Market forecasts

Other related reports include:

- Holidays The Road to Recovery, Special - UK Report, 2003

- Cruises, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, April 2003

- Fly-Drive Holidays, Travel and Tourism Intelligence, March 2003

- Holidays - Coping with a Crisis, Special - UK Report, 2002

- Holiday Money, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, October 2002

- Independent Holidays, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, September 2002

- Hotels in Europe, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - European Report, August 2002

- Inclusive Tours, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, August 2002

- International Tourism Forecasts, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - European Report, June 2002

- Short Breaks Abroad, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, June 2002

- Travel Agents, Retail Intelligence - UK Report, May 2002

- British on Holiday at Home, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, March 2002

- Holidays on the Internet, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, March 2002

- Singles Holidays, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, December 2001

- Group Travel, Travel and Tourism Intelligence - UK Report, November 2001