With the Internet being more accessible than ever before, people are online for longer and at a later hour, it's even starting to replace the television for evening entertainment in some housholds.
Holiday companies are adapting to this demand by offering their holidays online, "no great shakes there then" I hear you say. But holidays cost a lot, who is going to spend over a thousand pounds online not knowing if the holiday is actually available.
With the holiday companies that say "book online" but you find out it's just an enquiry form, i feel this is at the least mis-leading and a nuisance. Customer confidence is what is needed, companies have to offer their product in a clear and easy to manage website with secure booking and LIVE availability status - this is what we are beginning to expect.
The innovotive holiday companies understand the customers needs and have supplied their demands, yes there are companies out there that have got LIVE booking systems, secure online payment facilities, immediate email confirmation facility and credit card anti-fraud sytems. With the Internet evolving at an incredible rate it is possible to search and find all of your holiday needs with a few clicks of your mouse. The days of looking through out of date holidays brochures are numbered, with the Internet you can now email web pages to your family and friends, read up about your chosen resort, look at dozens of photos or virtual tours, look into family travel insurance, check out your travel options and most importantly see the price and availability of your accommodation and resort, then once decided it can all be booked online in one go at any time of day and night - securely. Now thats how it should be.
Book Online & save money
Saving money is another key factor when searching online, you window shop and search for bargains in the high street, so theres no reason why you can't do it online, you may be doing a little more leg work or should i say finger clicking but it's quicker, more enjoyable and substantially cheaper. "Book online and SAVE" is a common phrase you will see when browsing the internet. Companies want you to book online, it saves them time and money, so why not take advantage of it.
I foresee the traditional holiday printed glossy brochure being a thing of the past pretty soon and with broadband and soon to come `super broadband` there won't be any reason at all not to visit your favourite travel website for a quick virtual tour of your favourite holiday resorts - and at lightning speed.
Iain Williams is an established travel writer and is one of the most innovative travel businessmen in the industry, he is also the director of the renowned family holiday specialist Williams Holidays. http://www.williamsholidays.com