Online tourism transactions increased by 270% in Q1

In 2009, the number of online transactions in tourism increased by 280% compared to the previous year, while in the first quarter of 2010, the increase was by 270% higher compared to the same period in 2009.

Laurentiu Ghenciu, Sales & Marketing Manager of Gecad ePayment, stated that in 2009, tourism accounted for 38% of the transactions processed through ePayment, compared to 2008 when tourism accounted for 26% of the total transactions in ePayment system.

He considers tourism will grow this year, in transactions and volume. But Romanians continue to have reserves regarding online payments and Internet is mainly used to obtain information about market offers.

Traian Badulescu, spokesman of the National Association of Tourism Owners, ANAT, stated that, at present, 2-3% of the total tourism services sales is made by card.

ANAT representative consider this year the demand will increase by 15-20% on online booking without card, while the number of those paying for holiday packages online with their card could increase by 4-5% compared to last year.

Tourism operators who have invested considerable amounts in internet platforms continue to report significant sales increase.

Lucia Morariu, President of Eximtur, stated that in the fist 3 months of the year, online sales increased by 100% compared to the similar period last year. This year, the company estimates increasing sales by 50% compared to 2009 for online segment after investing approximately EUR 40,000 in developing the webpage. More, the company plans to invest approximately EUR 100,000 in developing its presence on the Internet up to the evolution of demand for tourism services.

Radu Colfescu, Managing Director for Romania and Moldova of Dertour, stated that the sales of the company on the Internet increased by 90% in the first months of the year compared to the same period last year. Dertour Romania envisages for the current year an increase by 100% for online sales, up to approximately EUR 100,000.

Lucian Boronea, General Manager of Accent Travel&Events, stated that investments in the new online platform of the agency reaches approximately EUR 200,000. For the current year, Accent Travel&Events budgeted online sale worth EUR 1.4 mil. Boronea specified only 10% of online booking is made by card payment.

According to a study of European Online Travel Overview, carried out by Pricewaterhouse Coopers and PhoCusWright, in 2009 revenues on leisure tourism segment dropped by over 11% at European level, down to EUR 214 bn. The loss limited to offline channels, online sales segment estimated at EUR 68 bn. reporting 0.4% increase.

According to a study of the European Commission from 2009, 42% of those paying online purchased tourism services.

Sursa: Financiarul [06.05.2010]