In June 2007, PhoCusWright, a travel industry market research company, indicated that approximately 1/3 of all travel in Canada will be booked online in 2007. Online and internet travel companies and services are quickly gaining momentum and are playing an increasingly important role in the way that Canadian travel consumers both research, plan, and book their trips.

Revenue of leisure travellers as well as unmanaged business travellers (those travelling for business but manage and book their flights and accommodations on their own rather than through the company) have doubled in the past few years.

How booking online differs from using a travel agency

So why has the online travel industry become so prominent in the past few years and how does booking your trip online differ from using a travel agency?

1) Get up-to-date travel deals and prices. Whether you're looking for a last minute package to Cuba or the Dominican Republic, a cheap flight to Nova Scotia, or want to find shows, tours and restaurants, you can do it all online. Better yet, you can check back as often as you want to see the best up-to-date prices without having to keep calling your travel agent.

2) You're in the driver's seat. Online travel planning is also great because it allows travellers to research destinations, discover which sites they should see, plan itineraries, and see other tourist's comments on accommodations and restaurants. All aspects of researching and planning can be done at once, right at your computer. Once you're planned and ready, you're the one who does the booking and clicks the "purchase" button. Booking online gives you the control and decision making power over your vacation - so in a sense, you become the travel agent.

3) Save time and money. There are lots of ways that you can cut costs by booking online. First, it can help you save on paperwork and customer service or travel agent fees. Second, some sites allow you to package your travel needs (flight, hotel, car, entertainment) and gives you a discount for grouping it all together. Third, booking online can also allow you to customize and choose different flights, activities, or hotels - helping you comparison shop and save or spend wherever you want.

Granted, booking online isn't for everyone and sometimes it can be easier to see a travel agent - especially if you're not apt to spending hours online scoping out the best deals. However, travel agents can also get their hands on special deals not offered online, and are often friendlier than websites and computers.

Looking to book a trip? Check out the TripAtlas.com Trip Builder where you can request a quote from over 104,000 travel agents who are waiting to offer you the best prices on your trip, no matter where you're going!

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