The internet has transformed the way the travel industry works over the past two decades, it has been claimed.
According to the European Tour Operators Association (ETOA), in the 20 years he internet has been operating the landscape has changed from one that favours tourism companies, to one dictated by customer demand.
It suggested that while in 1989, when ETOA was initially founded, holidaymakers conformed to what the industry offered them, consumer habits now influence the behaviour of tour operators.
Executive director Tom Jenkins suggested that the internet had more than a passing influence on the changing trend.
“We are now seeing impulse buy like we’ve never seen it,” he said. “People were talking about impulse buying ten years ago – now people just log onto the internet, shop around on the internet and largely buy on the internet almost by whim.”
Caravan fans are now able to use the internet to browse thousands of campsites around the UK, meaning details of facilities, prices and availability are just a click away.
