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Travel Web Sites Keep Pace with Explosive Travel Growth

By Dan Schlossberg
ConsumerAffairs.com

February 24, 2006

Increasing numbers of consumers are counting on the Internet to book or research travel, a plethora of websites are vying for the right to be their primary sources.

According to the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the number of web-based bookings for airlines, hotels, car rentals, and packed tours has more than tripled in the last two years, with 64 million people using the internet to book travel in 2005. They spent an average of $1,288 apiece, an indicator that internet travel transactions has become big business.

Not surprisingly, websites are springing up to seize their share of the pie. Here are some of the best:

• Airfarewatchdog.com – Great for frequent or infrequent flyers, there’s a daily low-airfare report (with offers guaranteed) plus links to airline websites
• Gladtravel.com – Finding an inexpensive room in an expensive destination is made easy through this listing of 1,300 lodging alternatives prices under $99
• Hotelbook.com – Ideal for travelers who prefer independent hotels, this site includes 5,000 choices and allows for immediate booking
• Newyorkology.com – Everything you wanted to know about New York but were afraid to ask, this Manhattan-centric site, run by freelancer Amy Langfield, has links to New York news stories and websites, plus such basics as subway information and favorite watering holes
• Officialtravelguide.com – Especially good for North American destinations, this site provides links to convention & visitors bureaus and state tourism offices while also facilitating hotel and vacation bookings
• Reservemy.com – Maps and satellite images target a desired location (like Fenway Park) and show the names and proximity of nearby hotels.
• Sportsgroupie.com – As the name implies, this site is for sports buffs willing to spend big bucks (last-minute tickets to the All-Star Game, World Series, or Super Bowl, plus hotel and flight bookings)
• Travelpost.com – This blog-type site contains reviews of hotels plus photographs posted by travelers but the best part is a personal travel map that allows visitors to plan their journeys
• Turnhere.com – Short travel films, downloadable to iPods, profile 15 states, Washington, and other cities, plus several foreign countries, with an emphasis on neighborhoods and offbeat events
• Ulivewhere.com – Life in exotic places is described by locals in six exotic spots, with more in the mix soon.

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