11TH ANNUAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY STUDY REVEALS INTERNET TRAVEL PURCHASES CONTINUE TO ESCALATE
Consumer Confidence in Buying Online Travel is Driven by Better Technology
and Customer Service on Sites Such As Orbitz
CHICAGO, April 30, 2002 - The number of leisure travelers purchasing travel
on the Internet grew 28% over the past year, according to the 11th annual
National Leisure Travel Monitor survey, released today by YP&B and
Yankelovich Partners in Washington, DC. The findings of the study revealed
that nearly one-third of leisure travelers purchased travel online over the
past 12 months, up from 25% the year before. Of all those who purchased
travel online, airline reservations were what the majority booked, more
than any other category of travel.
"This study confirms that an expanding number of travelers are using the
Internet and are confident that they will find the best deal online," said
Jeff Katz, President and CEO of Orbitz. "Millions of leisure travelers
have purchased their airfare, car rental and hotel on Orbitz because it`s
the easiest way to find the most low fares for every occasion, from the
family`s summer vacation to a last-minute weekend getaway."
The study revealed how the reach of the Internet continues to climb as
70% of leisure travelers now report having Internet access from home. This
report also concluded that more than half of leisure travelers, 53%, now
use the Internet to research travel. This represents a 13% increase over
last year`s results.
On average, leisure travelers booked 2.1 trips online last
year. The highest proportion of travel site lookers and bookers are
Generation Xers and Baby Boomers. The majority is married and has incomes
of more than $50,000 a year. About equal proportions are male and female.
Nine out of 10 leisure travelers rated being able to check the lowest rates
for airfare, hotel and rental care companies as the most desirable web site
feature.
In the last year, Orbitz introduced new technology into the marketplace,
which increased industry competition and enhanced the customer experience.
Innovative technology allows Orbitz to search two billion flight options in
seconds and offer the largest selection of low fares and flight options,
including web-only fares from dozens of airlines.
"Better technology is driving industry improvements and upgrading the
online travel buying experience for consumers," said Katz. "At Orbitz, our
superior technology provides an easy-to-use site that people like for its
unbiased and comprehensive fare information."
To service the increasing number of online travel purchasers, Orbitz
instituted a Traveler Care program that provides real-time information for
travelers concerning flight and airport delays and other events potentially
impacting their itineraries. Orbitz provides up to 40,000 free Travel Alerts a day to passengers through a self-designated outlet such as email
or cell phone.
"At Orbitz, the customer relationship doesn`t end when you hit the
`purchase` button. It`s this type of timely, comprehensive travel
information that is encouraging more people to book travel on the
Internet," said Katz.
The 2002 National Leisure Travel Monitor study was conducted by consulting
firms Yesawich, Pepperdine & Brown and Yankelovich Partners. Orbitz
sponsored the online portion of the study. The complete survey is
available at www.ypb.com.
About Orbitz:
Orbitz is a full-service online travel agency offering consumers the widest
selection of low airfares, as well as deals on lodging, car rentals,
cruises, vacation packages and other travel. Orbitz` state-of the-art
flight search engine searches 450 airlines - up to 2 billion flight and
fare options - offering the most unbiased and comprehensive list of
airfares and schedules. Founded by the world`s leading airlines - American
(AMR), Continental (CAL), Delta (DAL), Northwest (NWAC) and United airlines
(UAL) - Orbitz also has the Internet`s biggest collection of low-cost,
web-only fares - from a wide array of airlines. For more information, visit
www.orbitz.com.
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