TravelBizBuzz

Despite the innovative travel Web sites emerging that aim to help consumers research travel options, the general search engine is still winning the popularity contest by a long shot.

Online competitive intelligence service Hitwise revealed June 19 that search engines “continue to be the primary way Internet users navigate to key industry categories” -- including travel.

Details: Google saw a 10 percent year-over-year market share increase and accounted for 65.13 percent of all U.S. searches in the four weeks ending May 26, 2007, Hitwise pointed out. Yahoo! Search, MSN Search and Ask.com each received 20.89, 8.40 and 3.92 percent respectively. The remaining 49 search engines in the Hitwise Search Engine Analysis Tool accounted for 1.66 percent of U.S. searches.

Furthermore, comparing May 2007 to May 2006, travel -- along with news and media, entertainment and business, and finance categories -- “received double digit increases in their share of traffic coming directly from search engines,” according to Hitwise.

The travel industry, specifically, saw 31.22 percent of all search engine traffic in May 2007, an increase of 13.04 percent from May 2006. And Google is fast taking a giant share of that traffic.

Takeaway: Search engine optimization should be a top priority to reel in the consumer to your travel Web site.

--Lindsey Rushmore, Editor-In-Chief, Travel Distribution Report--

Posted by TDR at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With all the media talk about the new ultra-low-cost — but bare bones — Columbus, OH-based airline, Skybus, I’m surprised I haven’t seen one consumer comment.

Every media source and airline analyst is questioning whether the Skybus business model will “take off” here in the U.S., and Skybus is telling us that its “no frills,” á la carte approach is what the consumer really wants. But until I hear from a customer, I will hold onto my skepticism — in hopes, of course, that Skybus is correct.

Here’s why: “What works in Europe won’t necessarily work in the U.S.,” airline analyst Bob Mann told me recently. I’m beginning to understand that this statement isn’t just referring to economics.

If you look at the successful European carrier, Ryanair (which Skybus is modeled after), you have to consider what makes it work culturally, as well as economically. Europe is what I would call a “railroad” culture — where people are used to no frills on their main mode of transportation, rail. So I can see why Ryanair would be a good fit in Europe.

Despite its no-frills aspect, which Americans may not take to as happily as Europeans, Skybus does offer some services that should please in an American culture: non-stop service between small cities and cheap, cheap ticket prices. In fact, other airlines — especially the low-cost carriers — are paying close attention and even appear to be covering their backs.

For example, Southwest Airlines’ radio spots in the Columbus, OH area appear to attack Skybus. Without mentioning any airline names, the ad plays a sarcastic skit where a flight attendant, during her usual announcements, mentions things like:
• Arm rests are available for $2
• You may recline your seat for $5
• Pay restrooms are available; please have exact change
• We will open your window shade for $1
• Reading lights are available for $2

In a similar television ad, Southwest visually shows the passenger encountering coin slots to open the overhead bin or to use a seatback tray.

Bottom line: Skybus is still showing good potential because these ads indicate Southwest feels somewhat threatened by the new competition. But I’m still waiting to hear the consumer’s opinion.

--Lindsey Rushmore, Editor-In-Chief, Travel Distribution Report--

Posted by TDR at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)