The results were compiled from TravelCLICK's comprehensive database, which is the exclusive source of hotel industry electronic distribution data from three of the largest GDS: Galileo, Sabre and Worldspan.  TravelCLICK's data also includes consumer online hotel bookings made through retail online travel agencies.  These Web sites, which include Travelocity and Expedia, represent approximately 17% of all consumer hotel online bookings made over the Internet.

Travel Agent Component

Travel agent bookings are far and away the dominant source of hotel e-business, representing 95% of total GDS room nights.  This travel agent component of GDS grew 8% in revenue over the first quarter of 2000.

Internet Component

Additionally, TravelCLICK statistics showed a very significant increase in the Internet component of the GDS.  Internet room nights, excluding bookings from auction sites, grew 119% in the first quarter of 2001.  Average rate was down for Internet related bookings by 5% from the first quarter of 2000.
 

"Travel agent e-commerce dominates the electronic distribution of hotel rooms," said Bruce W. Mainzer, senior vice president of marketing for TravelCLICK.  "Hotel companies need to do everything possible to capture their fair share of this distribution channel, yet also be prepared for the strong growth of consumer direct online bookings."

Top Destination Markets

The top five destination markets for total hotel e-distribution in terms of room nights during the first quarter were in order:  
 

The five top destination markets for the consumer Internet portion of total e-distribution room nights in order were: 
 

To receive a free listing of first quarter results by top 50 cities worldwide in electronic bookings, please e-mail [email protected].

TravelCLICK is the world's leading provider of digital media and data solutions to the worldwide travel industry.  The company's competitive benchmarking reports provide hotels with price and booking performance information unavailable through any other source. TravelCLICK's exclusive electronic marketing networks allow hotels and other travel and entertainment related suppliers to target promotional messages to specific travel agents and consumers when they are booking travel itineraries.  Established in 1996 and headquartered in the Chicago area, the company has a rapidly growing workforce of over 300 people spanning more than 140 countries.