Online travel merchants outsmart the traditionals

A recent study revealed that <strong>online travel merchants</strong> in China gained the upper hand against physical travel agencies when it comes to being the source for travel information in the most populated country in the world.<br /><br /><strong>Online travel merchants</strong> serving destination&nbsp; websites gained the number one spot over the traditional travel agents according to a survey conducted just last month by the The Nielsen Company in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). The survey was done over the phone and also in online interviews with 1,500 respondents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.&nbsp; The travelers-respondents were asked on their their behavior, attitudes and opinions of various destinations and provides insights into their decision-making processes, information sourcing, booking choices, accommodation preferences and others.<br /><br />There is a positive increase foreseen as more Chinese travelers from the three cities are also leaning to the internet for bookings. While the majority is currently using traditional travel agents (61%), Chinese travelers booking via online travel agents and hotel or transport operators websites (29% and 16% respectively) are on the rise.<br /><br />It is crucial for<strong> online travel merchants</strong>, not only in China, but for all, to consider what makes travelers go with online bookings. The major contributing factor, convenience.&nbsp; If more and more online travel merchants empathize with the travellers, they&#39;ll realize that people turn online to avoid the hassle of going to the physical travel agency to actually make bookings.&nbsp; Plus the visually-enticing marketing channels that destination websites offer boosts the attraction between travelers and online travel merchants. &nbsp;<br /><br />Becoming one of the <strong>online travel merchants</strong> is again a risky career.&nbsp; But the rewards are undoubtedly obvious and worth all the perspiration and hardwork.&nbsp; The key is to always track the travelers changing travel attitude and your on your way to being one of the successful <strong>online travel merchants</strong>.<br />