United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Four star hotels for three star prices causing internet rebound
After a rocky start of summer, major web travel sides have rebounded. Why?
Great deals are driving consumers to continue booking flights and hotel rooms, Orbitz President and Chief Executive Barney Harford told Businessweek.com.
At hotels, "occupancy is low, and that’s great for consumers," Harford said. He added:
"If you’re still working and you feel reasonably good about the economic outlook, being able to get a four-star hotel for a three-star price can be attractive."
One outcome is that Web travel stocks have gone up greatly in value this summer. Shares of Priceline.com are up more than two-thirds since the end of June. They are trading at their highest point since May of 2000.
Bookings rose 43.3 percent from a year earlier and revenues climbed 27 percent.
US consumers are still "restrained," ThinkEquity analyst Aaron Kessler says, but that can be good for online travel sites that allow consumers to compare various travel offerings.
"People are still looking for deals," Kessler said.
Online spending on travel in the US was up 9 percent in July compared to a year ago, said ComScore, an Internet marketing research company.
By David Wilkening
David
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel