NEWS RELEASE
More Kiwis Heading Online To Plan, Book Holidays: ACNielsen
AUCKLAND, 20th August 2001 – The number of New Zealanders heading online to plan or book holidays has almost doubled in
the last two years, according to an ACNielsen survey.
The survey, led by ACNielsen’s tourism specialist Richard Dunbar, interviewed 1000 New Zealanders aged 15+ and found
that consumers regard the Internet as complementary to traditional channels for planning and purchasing domestic and
international holidays.
“The tourism sector must consider how these changes in consumer behaviour – using the Internet to gather
information and book travel – affect the industry and prepare for it,” said Richard Dunbar, research director, ACNielsen
New Zealand.
In 1999, some 23 percent* of those surveyed had used the Internet for overseas holiday travel planning, including
bookings. In 2001, this had almost doubled to 44 percent. In domestic tourism, this growth is occurring even faster. In
1999, 10 percent of those surveyed had used the Internet for domestic holiday planning, including bookings. By 2001 this
had almost tripled to 28 percent. Further, in 2001 some 25 percent of those surveyed said the Internet was the most
useful source of information when planning international travel.
There has been a small decline in the use of travel agencies for international travel and a larger decline in the use of
accommodation directories for domestic travel over the corresponding period.
“The growth in online planning and booking raises some strategic issues for travel agents because traditional
distribution channels in the industry are being disrupted,” adds Mr Dunbar. “Consumer Internet use is upsetting the
balance between traditional channels, new distribution channels, tourism operators and consumers. Consumers can and are
now going direct to suppliers and to new distributors of travel products.
“Internationally, travel is one of the most successful e-commerce categories, so one of the things we can say for sure
is that the industry needs to adapt to e-travel. While it possibly creates some uncertainty for industry players as they
strive to differentiate themselves and define their unique offering, it also introduces new opportunities to industry
operators. We are already seeing new alliances and partnerships between traditional operators and the portals that have
the greatest Internet audiences,” says Mr Dunbar.
ACNielsen provides a range of information including regular monitoring and reports on the travel industry. Some of the
highlights of this research will be presented and discussed by Richard Dunbar at the 2001 Tourism Conference in Rotorua
on Tuesday 21st August.
ENDS
ACNielsen, a company of VNU N.V., is the world’s leading market research firm, offering measurement and analysis of
market place dynamics, consumer attitudes and behaviour, and new and traditional media in more than 100 countries.
Clients include leading consumer product manufacturers and retailers, service firms, media and entertainment companies
and the Internet community.
For further information visit http://www.acnielsen.co.nz.
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