According to new research, half of UK holidaymakers looking for cheap flights or cheap package holidays now turn to the internet instead of going down to their local high street travel agent. Although In2town Lifestyle Magazine have been telling their readers for many years now to shop online to grab a good deal, we still feel these figures are low and over half of UK holidaymakers are missing out on good deals because they are still using their high street travel agent.
Although the new research is showing that UK holidaymakers are getting wise when it comes to booking a holiday and saving money, this is not good news for the likes of Thomas Cook and First Choice travel agents.
This represents a total turnaround from how we book holidays. Only a few years ago the majority of holidaymakers looking for cheap package holidays or cheap flights would go to their local travel agent like First Choice or Thomas Cook. In the modern world with most people having computers in their home connected to the internet and becoming familiar with how they can save money on their holidays, it now represents how times have changed and according to our travel editor within a few years the number of people turning their backs on the high street travel agents will increase.
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Spain has become a popular destination for people searching the internet for a cheap package holiday. With Spain only being a few hours away on a plane and with more airlines offering cheap flights and thanks to the internet where families can book hotels direct, Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for a cheap family holiday.
Bob Atkinson, travel expert from TravelSupermarket commented: "It's no surprise to see that so many Brits spend weeks, if not months researching their holidays. Purse strings are tight for many in 2012 and with travel companies offering a huge array of deals to secure bookings, research is essential for holidaymakers to both make sure they get what they want from their holiday and also pay the best price.
"The switch to online for our holiday planning - whether to research or book - has been one of the most noticeable changes in travel over the last few years and appears to be continuing. The internet makes researching our holiday so much easier. Review sites are growing in popularity as holidaymakers trust the opinion of their peers, plus as Brits get savvier about finding the best price on their holidays they are using the internet to compare prices to get the best deal.
"My advice is to do as much research around your holiday as you can, including speaking to friends and family who have travelled. Use a comparison website such as TravelSupermarket to search for the best price but also to read reviews and resort information provided on the site. Comparing the market in one place will save you both time and money.
"And remember to check prices of both a packaged holiday and separate flights and accommodation to hunt out further savings."
High street travel agents are looking at ways to grab a bigger market share of people booking online but with all the options that are available to the consumer including booking their holiday separate, where they can book the flight and the hotel, the high street travel agent will struggle to compete.
For too long now we have been dominated by high street travel agents such as Thomas Cook and First Choice where we have had to pay their high prices but now with the internet and so many options available to us, we can save hundreds on a cheap package holiday and get value for money, all thanks to the internet.
