ABTA: Internet Has Opened Doors for Travel Agents

Although the web may have taken some traditional business away from the high street travel agents are now finding new opportunities on the internet.

The Association of British Travel Agents, which represents over 6,000 travel agencies and 850 tour operations throughout the British Isles, has said that travel agents can now avoid tour operators and create their own holidays, passing on the benefits to customers.

A spokesperson for ABTA said: "It has been a double-edged sword for travel agents in general. There is an element of people that now just bypass them entirely.

"But, having said that, the internet has also been good for travel agents because it has given them the option to not have to use tour operator products."

He added that travel agents which adapt to the benefits of the internet will thrive whereas old fashioned travel agents, "hanging around selling nothing but package holidays", not doing their research, just handing out brochures will close down.

Research published by the Office for National Statistics in 2006 revealed that four fifths of all visits abroad made by UK residents were to Europe and these accounted for 63 per cent of all spending overseas - £20.3 billion.

Travel Website News posted on 21/12/2007 08:21:52