22 November 2005
Over half of Internet users in the UK visit a travel site every month, suggests new research.
The figures, released by the Internet research company, Nielson/NetRatings, reveal that travel site traffic is up by 20 per cent compared to last year.
This means that around 14 million people regularly click on travel sites every month with those over 50 particularly eager to hit the road.
Around 86 per cent of the UK's website browsers are in the 50 plus age bracket with about 1.5 million of them making bookings last September.
"The figures for the online travel sector continue to impress but what screams out is the staggering percentage of over 50's who go online for travel," said Alex Burmaster, the European Internet analyst at Nielson/NetRatings.
"This not only has far-reaching implications for the Internet as a whole but confirms beyond doubt that the web is not just a young person's tool," he added.
The report suggests that while younger surfers might wistfully browse the travel sites, it's the over 50's who are actually going ahead and making bookings.
The most popular websites for the over 50's are the online companies such as Expedia and Lastminute.com rather than the traditional high street names.
© Adfero LtdKeep up to date with industry and Nomensa news by signing up to Nomensa newsletters.
