research on online travel agencies

Get instant access to detailed competitive research, SWOT analysis, buyer personas, growth opportunities and more for any product or business at the push of a button, so that you can focus more on strategy and execution.

Table of contents, insights into the online travel agency industry.

• 18 March, 2024

Overview of the Online Travel Agency Industry

In today’s digital era, the online travel agency (OTA) industry plays a pivotal role in facilitating travel bookings and providing convenience to travelers. This section provides an introduction to online travel agencies and highlights the market size and growth trends.

Introduction to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)

Online travel agencies (OTAs) are internet-based platforms that allow travelers to search, compare, and book various travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, and vacation packages. These platforms have transformed the way people plan and book their travel, offering a one-stop solution for travelers to explore and select from a wide range of options.

OTAs have gained popularity due to their user-friendly interfaces, extensive travel offerings, and competitive pricing. By leveraging technology and partnerships with travel suppliers, OTAs provide travelers with a convenient and efficient way to plan their trips. Some well-known OTAs include Expedia, Booking Holdings, Airbnb, and Ctrip.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The online travel agency industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, driven by the increasing adoption of online booking platforms. According to TravelPerk , the global online travel booking market size was valued at $744.4 billion in 2021, and it is projected to reach $2.99 trillion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8% from 2021 to 2030.

The dominance of online booking platforms is evident, as 57% of all travel reservations are made online. This highlights the significant role that OTAs play in the travel industry. These platforms offer travelers a convenient and efficient way to compare prices, read reviews, and make reservations, all from the comfort of their own homes.

Expedia, one of the key players in the online travel agency industry, generated $9.85 billion in revenue in 2020. This showcases the substantial market presence and financial success of leading OTAs. The industry’s growth is further fueled by the increasing trend of mobile bookings, which accounted for 41% of all online travel bookings. This underlines the importance of mobile optimization and the need for OTAs to provide seamless and user-friendly mobile experiences.

The online travel agency industry is highly competitive, with key players like Booking Holdings, Airbnb, and Ctrip vying for market share. To stay ahead in this competitive landscape, OTAs must adapt to changing consumer behaviors, leverage emerging technologies, and provide exceptional customer experiences.

Understanding the overview and market size of the online travel agency industry sets the foundation for further analysis. In the subsequent sections, we will explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by OTAs in the market, as well as the key players and technology trends shaping the industry.

SWOT Analysis of Online Travel Agencies

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the online travel agency (OTA) industry, conducting a SWOT analysis is essential. This analysis examines the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by OTAs in the market.

Strengths of Online Travel Agencies

Online travel agencies possess several strengths that have contributed to their success in the industry. These strengths include:

• Convenience and Accessibility : OTAs have revolutionized the travel industry by providing convenient and accessible platforms for travelers to book flights, accommodations, and other travel services from the comfort of their own homes ( TravelPerk ). This ease of access has made travel planning more efficient for consumers.
• Competitive Pricing : OTAs have implemented a competitive pricing model, offering travelers the ability to compare prices across a wide range of travel services. This has forced traditional travel agencies to adapt and provide added value to remain competitive ( TravelPerk ).
• Wide Range of Options : OTAs provide a vast selection of travel options, including flights, accommodations, car rentals, and activities. This extensive range of choices allows travelers to tailor their trips to their preferences and budget.
• Tech-Savvy Appeal : Online travel agencies appeal to millennials and younger generations who are tech-savvy and prefer quick and efficient booking processes ( TravelPerk ). This demographic shift has fueled the growth of OTAs and shaped the future of the travel agent landscape.

Weaknesses of Online Travel Agencies

Despite their strengths, online travel agencies also face certain weaknesses that can impact their performance. These weaknesses include:

• Lack of Personalized Service : OTAs may struggle to provide the same level of personalized service as traditional travel agencies. The online booking process removes the face-to-face interaction that some travelers value when planning their trips.
• Dependence on Technological Infrastructure : OTAs heavily rely on technology infrastructure to ensure smooth operations. Technical issues, such as website crashes or system failures, can disrupt the booking process and negatively impact customer experience.
• Limited Control over Suppliers : OTAs may face challenges in maintaining consistent quality standards across their wide range of suppliers. The quality of accommodations and services can vary, affecting customer satisfaction and loyalty.

Opportunities for Online Travel Agencies

Online travel agencies have several opportunities to capitalize on in the ever-evolving travel industry. These opportunities include:

• Expansion into Emerging Markets : As travel trends shift and new destinations gain popularity, OTAs have the opportunity to expand their services into emerging markets. This allows them to tap into new customer bases and increase their market share.
• Integration of New Technologies : By embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), OTAs can enhance the booking experience and provide innovative solutions to travelers. These technologies can streamline the planning process and provide more immersive travel experiences.
• Partnerships and Collaborations : OTAs can form strategic partnerships with airlines, hotels, and other travel service providers to offer exclusive deals and bundled packages. Collaborations with local businesses and tourism boards can help create unique and tailored experiences for travelers.

Threats to Online Travel Agencies

Online travel agencies also face certain threats that can impact their competitive position. These threats include:

• Increased Competition : The OTA industry is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. The presence of both established players and new entrants intensifies competition and puts pressure on OTAs to differentiate themselves.
• Changing Consumer Behavior : Consumer behavior is constantly evolving, influenced by factors such as economic conditions, travel restrictions, and emerging travel trends. OTAs must stay abreast of these changes and adapt their strategies to meet evolving consumer demands.
• Regulatory Challenges : OTAs operate in a complex regulatory environment, facing regulations related to data privacy, consumer protection, and taxation. Compliance with these regulations can be costly and time-consuming.

By analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats faced by online travel agencies, industry players can make informed decisions and develop strategies to navigate the dynamic landscape of the OTA market.

Key Players in the Online Travel Agency Industry

The online travel agency (OTA) industry is highly competitive, and several key players have emerged as leaders in the market. These companies have a significant impact on shaping the industry and catering to the needs of travelers worldwide. Let’s explore some of the key players in the online travel agency industry:

Expedia is one of the largest and most well-known players in the online travel agency industry. It offers a wide range of services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, car rentals, and vacation packages. In 2020, Expedia generated $9.85 billion in revenue, highlighting its substantial presence in the market ( TravelPerk ). Expedia operates through various brands, including Expedia.com, Hotels.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity, providing travelers with a diverse selection of options for their travel needs.

Booking Holdings

Another significant player in the online travel agency market is Booking Holdings. This company operates several popular platforms, including Booking.com, Priceline, Agoda, and Kayak. With a focus on providing a wide range of accommodations, from hotels to alternative lodging options, Booking Holdings competes for market share and offers travelers extensive choices for their accommodations. It is a dominant force in the industry, contributing to its overall growth and evolution ( TravelPerk ).

While Airbnb is often associated with home-sharing and vacation rentals, it has also become a major player in the online travel agency industry. Airbnb offers a unique platform that connects travelers with a wide range of accommodations, including apartments, houses, and unique experiences. Its user-friendly interface and emphasis on personalized and local experiences have contributed to its success and popularity among travelers worldwide. Airbnb’s presence in the market demonstrates the evolving nature of the online travel agency industry, catering to diverse travel preferences and needs ( TravelPerk ).

Ctrip is a prominent online travel agency based in China that has expanded its operations globally. It offers a comprehensive range of travel services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, transportation, and vacation packages. Ctrip’s strategic partnerships, strong presence in the Chinese market, and expansion efforts into other regions, including the United States, have positioned it as a significant competitor in the online travel agency market ( Mordor Intelligence ).

These key players in the online travel agency industry play a vital role in shaping the market landscape and meeting the diverse needs of travelers. Their services, platforms, and global reach contribute to the growth and evolution of the industry, providing travelers with a wide range of options and opportunities to plan and book their trips efficiently.

Technology Trends Impacting Online Travel Agencies

As technology continues to advance, the online travel agency industry is not immune to its influence. In this section, we will explore three key technology trends that are impacting online travel agencies: artificial intelligence (AI) in online travel, virtual reality (VR) in travel planning, and mobile optimization for online bookings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Online Travel

The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most significant technology trends in the travel industry. AI has the potential to transform various aspects of online travel agencies, from customer service to personalized recommendations. By leveraging AI-powered chatbots, online travel agencies can provide instant assistance to customers, answering their queries and helping them with bookings. This not only enhances the customer experience but also improves efficiency for the agencies.

Moreover, AI algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data to gain insights into customer preferences, allowing online travel agencies to offer personalized recommendations and tailored travel packages. This level of customization can greatly enhance customer satisfaction and increase the likelihood of repeat business.

Virtual Reality (VR) in Travel Planning

Virtual reality (VR) is another technology with great potential in the online travel agency industry. VR has the power to revolutionize the way people plan and experience their trips. By immersing users in virtual environments, travel agencies can provide a realistic preview of destinations, accommodations, and attractions. This allows travelers to make more informed decisions and have a better understanding of what to expect during their trip.

Through VR, online travel agencies can offer virtual tours of hotels, resorts, and popular tourist attractions, giving customers a taste of the experience before they book. This not only enhances the planning process but also helps to manage customer expectations, leading to higher satisfaction levels.

Mobile Optimization for Online Bookings

In today’s digital era, mobile technology plays a crucial role in the success of online travel agencies. With the increasing use of smartphones and tablets, travelers are relying on their mobile devices to plan and book their trips. It is estimated that 52% of users use mobile devices for travel-related activities, making mobile optimization a key factor in the success of online travel platforms.

To cater to the growing number of mobile users, online travel agencies must ensure that their websites and booking platforms are optimized for mobile devices. This includes responsive design, fast-loading pages, and user-friendly interfaces. By providing a seamless mobile experience, online travel agencies can attract and retain customers, enhancing their competitiveness in the market.

It is important for online travel agencies to stay abreast of these technology trends as the industry continues to evolve. By embracing AI, VR, and mobile optimization, online travel agencies can enhance the customer experience, streamline operations, and stay ahead of the competition. As the industry projected to grow to $817 billion by 2020 and $1.2 trillion by 2028, according to Revfine , adopting these technologies is crucial for the long-term success of online travel agencies.

Challenges Faced by Online Travel Agencies

As the online travel agency (OTA) industry continues to evolve, it faces various challenges that impact its operations and growth. In this section, we will explore some of the key challenges faced by online travel agencies, including increased competition, trust issues and consumer perception, rising advertising costs, and changing consumer behavior in the pandemic era.

Increased Competition in the Industry

The online travel agency industry is highly competitive, with major players like Booking Holdings, Airbnb, and Ctrip vying for market share . The rise of online booking platforms and aggregators has empowered travelers to plan and book their journeys with unprecedented ease, leading to a decline in the number of traditional brick-and-mortar travel agencies. To stay ahead in this competitive landscape, online travel agencies must continuously adapt, innovate, and demonstrate their unique value proposition to attract and retain customers. Offering personalized experiences, exceptional customer service, and tailored travel packages can help differentiate them from the competition.

Trust Issues and Consumer Perception

Trust is a critical factor for online travel agencies. In an industry where consumers rely on online platforms to book their travel arrangements, building trust is crucial. However, trust issues can arise due to factors such as fraudulent listings, hidden fees, and inaccurate information on travel websites. Consumers may also have concerns about the security of their personal and financial information. Online travel agencies must prioritize transparency, accuracy, and security to address these trust issues. By implementing robust verification processes, providing clear and detailed information, and ensuring secure payment gateways, they can instill confidence in their customers and enhance their reputation.

Rising Advertising Costs

Advertising plays a significant role in the success of online travel agencies. However, the rising costs of advertising pose a challenge for both established and emerging players. As more companies compete for visibility and customer attention, the cost of online advertising, including pay-per-click ads and social media campaigns, continues to increase. To navigate this challenge, online travel agencies must optimize their advertising strategies by targeting specific customer segments, leveraging data analytics, and exploring alternative marketing channels. Building strong partnerships with hotels, airlines, and other travel service providers can also help reduce advertising costs through mutually beneficial collaborations.

Changing Consumer Behavior in the Pandemic Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the travel industry, including online travel agencies. The travel restrictions, health concerns, and economic uncertainties have led to a shift in consumer behavior. Travelers are more cautious, prioritize safety and hygiene, and seek flexible booking options. Online travel agencies must adapt to these changing trends and provide solutions that address the evolving needs of travelers. This may involve offering flexible cancellation policies, promoting destinations with low infection rates, and providing comprehensive information on health and safety measures. By aligning their offerings with the current demands of travelers, online travel agencies can position themselves for success in the post-pandemic era.

Navigating these challenges requires online travel agencies to be proactive, innovative, and customer-centric. By focusing on exceptional customer service, building trust, managing advertising costs, and adapting to changing consumer behavior, they can overcome these hurdles and thrive in the dynamic online travel agency industry.

Strategies for Success in the Online Travel Agency Industry

To thrive in the competitive landscape of the online travel agency industry, professionals need to adopt effective strategies that can set them apart from their competitors. Here are four key strategies for success:

Focus on Exceptional Customer Service

Providing exceptional customer service is crucial in the online travel agency industry. Building strong relationships with clients and delivering personalized experiences can lead to customer loyalty and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Travel professionals should prioritize listening to their clients’ needs, offering expert advice, and going the extra mile to exceed expectations. By offering outstanding customer service, travel agencies can differentiate themselves and build a reputation as a trusted and reliable partner in travel planning.

Adaptation to Changing Landscape

The online travel agency industry is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and global events like pandemics and natural disasters. Travel professionals need to stay agile and adapt to these changes to remain relevant and competitive. This includes constantly assessing industry trends, staying informed about legal regulations, and adapting marketing strategies to reach the changing preferences of travelers. By embracing change and remaining adaptable, travel agencies can navigate the landscape successfully.

Effective Utilization of Technology

Technology plays a vital role in the online travel agency industry. Travel professionals should leverage technology effectively to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and gain a competitive edge. One significant technological trend in the industry is the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), which can automate processes, personalize recommendations, and improve customer service. Additionally, optimizing online platforms for mobile devices is crucial, as a significant number of travelers use mobile devices to plan and book their trips ( Source ). Exploring technologies like virtual reality (VR) can also revolutionize the way people plan and experience their trips ( Source ). By effectively utilizing technology, travel agencies can enhance efficiency, offer innovative services, and meet the expectations of tech-savvy travelers.

Creating Unique and Personalized Experiences

In a crowded marketplace, travel agencies need to differentiate themselves by creating unique and personalized travel experiences for their clients. This involves understanding their clients’ preferences, interests, and travel aspirations. By curating tailored itineraries, suggesting off-the-beaten-path destinations, and incorporating special touches, travel professionals can create memorable experiences that go beyond standard travel packages. Personalization allows travel agencies to stand out and cater to the unique needs and desires of their clients.

By focusing on exceptional customer service, adaptability, effective utilization of technology, and creating unique and personalized experiences, online travel agencies can position themselves for success in the industry. Despite the challenges faced in the rapidly evolving landscape, there are opportunities for growth and long-term success for those who embrace these strategies ( Travel Professional News ).

Regional Analysis of the Online Travel Agency Market

North america online travel market.

The North America online travel market holds significant opportunities and challenges for online travel agencies (OTAs) . The market size is estimated to be USD 235 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 375.04 billion by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.80% during the period of 2024-2029 ( Mordor Intelligence ).

The hospitality sector plays a crucial role in driving transactions in the North America online travel market. The United States, in particular, benefits from international travelers and business travel, while Canada’s market is driven by millennials and international travelers ( Mordor Intelligence ). The region’s growing tourism industry, combined with the rise in business travel and leisure travel, contributes to increased transaction volumes in the online travel market.

However, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the North American online travel market in 2020, leading to a decline in revenues and transactions. Despite this setback, the market is expected to rebound as the industry expands. It is worth noting that the North American market faces increased competition from Asian players like Ctrip, particularly in the United States. This creates competition for established international players, such as Airbnb ( Mordor Intelligence ).

Growth Opportunities and Challenges in North America

The North American online travel market presents both growth opportunities and challenges for online travel agencies. Some of the key opportunities include:

Growing Hospitality Sector: The expansion of the tourism and hospitality sector in the United States and Canada provides a favorable environment for increased transactions in the online travel market. The rise in international travelers, business travel, and leisure travel contributes to the market’s growth potential.

Increased Tourist Arrivals: Chinese tourists, known for their significant spending power, are driving growth in the North American online travel market. The United States, in particular, benefits from Chinese tourists who contribute to higher transaction volumes, especially in the luxury hotel segment.

However, along with these opportunities, the North American online travel market also faces certain challenges:

Intense Competition: The expansion of the travel industry in North America has led to intense competition among online travel agencies. Asian players like Ctrip expanding into the region, particularly in the United States, pose a potential challenge to established international players such as Airbnb.

Changing Consumer Behavior: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted consumer behavior in the travel industry. The shift in preferences and priorities of travelers, including safety concerns and changing travel patterns, presents challenges for online travel agencies to adapt their offerings and services accordingly.

As the North America online travel market continues to evolve, online travel agencies must stay agile and proactive in leveraging growth opportunities, while also addressing the challenges posed by competition, changing consumer behavior, and market dynamics. By focusing on exceptional customer service, adapting to the changing landscape, effectively utilizing technology, and creating unique and personalized travel experiences, online travel agencies can position themselves for success in this dynamic and competitive market.

Perform Deep Market Research In Seconds

Automate your competitor analysis and get market insights in moments

Create Your Account To Continue!

Automate your competitor analysis and get deep market insights in moments, stay ahead of your competition. discover new ways to unlock 10x growth., just copy and paste any url to instantly access detailed industry insights, swot analysis, buyer personas, sales prospect profiles, growth opportunities, and more for any product or business..

• Booking.com
• Tripadvisor
• Artificial Intelligence
• Distribution
• Sustainability
• Revenue Management
• Business Travel
• Ground Transportation
• Online Travel Agencies
• Private Accommodation
• Tours and Activities
• Editors' Picks
• PhocusWire on YouTube
• Future-Proofing Travel
• New Reality With...
• Phocuswright on YouTube
• WebInTravel on YouTube
• How I Got Here podcast
• In Phocus podcast
• The Phocuswright Conference
• Phocuswright Europe
• WebInTravel
• Welcome to Pulse
• Green Light For Ground Transportation
• A New Traveler Experience
• Emerging Innovation
• Startups In The Spotlight
• Rentals On The Rise
• Travel Marketing Tactics
• Progress In Travel Payments
• Decoding Travel Security
• A New Age For Social Media
• Loyalty For The Long Haul
• Safer & Seamless
• Diversity In Leadership
• PhocusWire Flash
• Hot 25 Travel Startups 2024
• Hot 25 Travel Startups 2023
• Hot 25 Startups 2022
• Hot 25 Startups 2021
• Hot 25 Startups 2020
• Hot 25 Startups 2019
• Startup Stage
• Phocuswright Innovation
• Diversity and Inclusion
• How I Got Here
• In The Big Chair
• Women's Leadership
• AI Insights
• Financial Earnings

From Our Partners

• Business Travel News
• Meetings & Conventions
• TravelAge West
• TravelPulse
• Travel Weekly
• TravelTech Show

The state of online travel agencies

The online travel market is expected to grow 18% in 2022 to $76.7 billion, a figure just shy of 2019 gross bookings, new research from Phocuswright reveals.

According to the U.S. Online Travel Agency Market Report 2021-2025 , OTA gross bookings are on track to surpass pre-pandemic levels in 2023, though international travel will continue to recover slower than domestic.

For 2021, OTAs delivered $65.2 in gross bookings, reaching 82% of pre-pandemic levels. Overall, OTAs accounted for 24% of gross bookings in the United States in 2021, up from a 20% share in 2020.

Phocuswright’s research reveals that for the U.S. core OTA business (excluding Vrbo and Egencia), Expedia and Booking collectively accounted for roughly 93% of the OTA leisure and unmanaged travel business market in 2021.

Globally, Expedia reported gross bookings of 67% and Booking 79% compared to 2019 levels. Compared to 2020, Expedia nearly doubled its global gross bookings in 2021, while Booking more than doubled its 2020 figure.

Elsewhere, smaller OTAs including CheapOair, Hopper and HotelTonight collectively rose 60% in 2021 from 2020.

OTA vs. supplier-direct

In 2021, OTAs regained share of the total online market, rising from 35% to 37%. However, supplier websites maintained their majority stake in the U.S. online travel market, with a 63% share of online gross bookings.

The hotel segment remains the only one where OTAs continue to outrun supplier websites, though not by much. In 2021, OTAs accounted for 52% of the hotel online market, but share is expected to decline to 48% in 2025.

For air and car rentals, though supplier websites are the preferred booking channel, OTAs gained share in both segments, with online air gross bookings capturing 20% in 2021 compared to 19% in 2020, and car rentals at 35%, up from 32% in 2020.

According to Phocuswright, mobile has been a pandemic-era winner, promoting safer and seamless travel, and OTAs are paying more attention to their apps.

In 2021, the majority of Booking’s mobile room nights transacted through its app, while competitor Expedia has expressed its intentions of becoming an app-first company.

Subscribe to our newsletter below

Beyond one-time booking interactions, OTAs are viewing apps as a way to foster customer retention and ongoing engagement.

More than half (51%) of OTA gross bookings were transacted via mobile in 2021, 10% more than pre-pandemic mobile share.

“Mobile will continue to gain share in the years to come as OTAs enhance and invest in their mobile product, though at a slower rate than at the pandemic's onset,” the Phocuswright report states.

“As travel normalizes, desktop will recapture some share lost to mobile since the customer and product mix will be better aligned to desktop bookings (e.g., more international travel, longer trips and air travel).”

For additional insights on the OTA market, download the full study here .

More on Online

• Most Popular
• Latest Stories

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Pros and Cons of Booking Through Online Travel Agencies

Booking direct often gets you more perks and flexibility, but OTAs do have their benefits.

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You’re likely already familiar with online travel agencies, even if you don’t travel often. These companies — such as Priceline , Expedia and Orbitz — act as intermediaries between you and a travel provider.

Booking your travel through an OTA can be a good idea in some circumstances, but you’ll want to be wary of its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online travel agencies, so you’ll know what to use to book your next vacation.

Pros of booking through online travel agencies

There are certainly advantages booking through online travel agencies, though you’ll find different experiences whether you’re using public OTAs — such as Kayak — or private ones like those offered by your card issuer, such as the Chase's travel portal .

✅ It may be cheaper

When searching for flights online, you may see different prices for the same routes that vary across websites. Although it may be a result of fare type — for example, some search results may not clarify that a fare is basic economy rather than main cabin or economy — other times, the difference comes down to competition for your business.

Online travel services will often offer slightly lower prices on flights in an effort to entice you as a customer. This is true for both hotels and airlines.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for online travel-booking websites

✅ It can earn you more rewards

Have you ever heard of shopping portals ? By logging into a shopping portal, you can earn rewards for purchases made with many online merchants. Some hotel chains, such as Hilton , Marriott and IHG , can be accessed through shopping portals while still booking directly on the hotel website. In this way, you can earn rewards with the hotel directly as well as with the shopping portal.

The same isn’t true for shopping portals and most airline sites. However, many public online travel agencies are accessible through shopping portals, which can then earn you rewards for airfare bookings. By opting to book in this way, you’ll be able to earn points or cash-back rewards through the shopping portal that you’d otherwise miss.

Some card issuers will also reward you heavily when using their online travel services. Clear examples of this can be seen with Capital One and Chase. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, you’ll get 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is similar. With this card, you can get 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase's portal.

While these numbers are high, it’s important to remember that there are trade-offs when booking through an OTA rather than directly with a hotel or airline. We’ll get into that a little later.

Online travel agencies offered by your card issuer may not feature the same prices as booking directly; you’ll want to compare these before committing to a purchase.

Some card issuers will go so far as to give your points more value when redeeming through their online travel agencies.

This is true with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . When redeeming points on Chase's travel portal, you’ll get 1.25 cents in value per point rather than 1 cent elsewhere.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

Cons of booking through online travel agencies

There are several downsides when it comes to using online travel services for booking travel. It mainly comes down to the fact that travel providers prefer that you book directly with them — and offer more perks to woo your business.

❌ It can be harder to change a booking

Ever needed to change a flight after it's booked? No matter the reason, attempting to alter or otherwise cancel a flight can be a hassle — especially if you’ve booked through a third party.

Generally speaking, rather than offering you direct assistance, both hotels and airlines will recommend you contact the online travel agency you’ve booked with in order to make any changes.

While you may be able to make changes or get refunds with the travel agency, airlines and hotels can — and will — offer much more flexibility when you’ve booked with them directly. You may also be subject to additional fees charged by the online travel agency, which can erase any savings you’ve received.

❌ You may not receive elite benefits

This is the real kicker for anyone wanting elite status. Although airlines will almost always recognize your elite status and allow you to earn miles even for bookings made through an online travel agency, hotels and rental car companies will not.

This is especially important for hotel chains. Earning elite status with hotels generally relies on elite night credits. Although these can be earned in a variety of ways — including having complimentary status by holding certain credit cards — the main method of acquiring elite night credits is by spending nights in hotels. Rooms booked through an online travel agency do not count toward elite status as elite night credits.

Additionally, you will not receive any of the benefits of your existing elite status if your booking is through a third party. This can mean the loss of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and even free Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

❌ It may be more expensive

Did you know that many hotel chains have best price guarantees? Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all have a guarantee that’ll give you either points or a discount if you find a better rate elsewhere.

These guarantees are generous; Hilton, for example, will match the rate and then discount it by a further 25%.

Although you’ll need to file claims for these guarantees and they face limitations — such as a 24-hour window from when you made the booking — you can save a lot of money on your stay if your request is approved.

Online travel agencies can be hit or miss

There are two sides to every coin and this is no different, as there are several benefits and limitations of online travel services. Depending on your needs and loyalty program status, you’ll want to choose whether to book directly with a travel provider or rely on OTAs to do the job for you.

Booking travel through credit card portals from issuers like Chase and Capital One can earn you big rewards. But if you anticipate altering your travel plans or aim to earn elite status instead, booking directly is the way to go.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.

ResortPass: Is It Worth It?

A guide to yotel hotels, how to plan a destination wedding.

Home > Professional Services > Travel and Tourism > Online Travel Market

Online Travel Market Size - By Services (Transportation, Accommodation, Tour Packages), By Mode of Booking (Online Travel Agencies, Direct Travel Suppliers), By Platform (Mobile-based, Web-based), By Traveler, By Application & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

• Report ID: GMI9984
• Published Date: Jun 2024
• Report Format: PDF
• Online Travel Market Size

Online Travel Market size was valued at USD 600.5 billion in 2023 and is estimated to register a CAGR of over 7% between 2024 and 2032, fueled by a combination of economic factors and favorable market conditions. As global economies expand, individuals have greater disposable income to allocate towards travel and recreational pursuits.  

In May 2024, a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council highlighted a 20% increase in global travel expenditure. It is attributed to economic recovery and increased consumer spending on travel. Additionally, promotional offers, discounts, and competitive pricing strategies employed by online travel agencies further stimulate customer interest.  

Partnerships and acquisitions can help market players to tap into new customer demographics or geographic regions. Collaborating with established travel brands or loyalty programs can enhance brand image and attract customers who trust the partnered brand. Strategic initiatives also help companies to expand their market reach and technological capabilities. In April 2024, Booking Holdings acquired the travel search engine, KAYAK to enhance its technological infrastructure and expand its market presence. Through this acquisition booking holdings can leverage its expertise to improve its metasearch capabilities to offer a wider range of travel options and more user-friendly search experience for customers.  

The online travel market operates across different jurisdictions, each with its own regulations on data protection, consumer rights, and taxation. Adapting to new regulations can be costly and complex, especially for companies operating internationally. For instance, economic recessions can reduce discretionary spending on travel, impacting online bookings and overall market growth. Additionally, political instability and conflicts can disrupt travel plans and affect consumer confidence.  

• Online Travel Market Trends

Governments around the world are increasingly recognizing the economic and social benefits of a thriving online travel industry. This has led to a surge in initiatives and policies aimed at supporting the growth of online travel services. Governments are offering tax breaks, travel vouchers, or interest-free travel loans to encourage domestic travel. This incentivizes citizens to explore their own country, boosting domestic tourism bookings through online platforms.  

Governments are introducing electronic visa application processes, simplifying visa requirements and processing times for international travelers. This encourages easier entry and faster booking decisions, facilitated through online travel platforms. In January 2024, the Indian government announced a simplified e-visa process for 50 additional countries, resulting in a 25% increase in international travel bookings via online platforms.  

The travel industry is witnessing a fascinating conflict between traditional travel agencies and online travel services. While OTMs have dominated bookings in recent years, consumer behavior is showing signs of a shift, leading to a potential resurgence of the modern travel agency model. Modern travel agencies offer a curated experience tailored to individual needs and preferences. They leverage human expertise to provide guidance, recommendations, and handle complex travel arrangements. Travelers now seek personalized itineraries and experiences tailored to their preferences.  

In February 2024, TripAdvisor expanded its personalization tools, including AI-driven recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and activities based on user preferences and past behavior. This helps to enhance communication and streamline their services.

• Online Travel Market Analysis

Based on platform, the market is divided into mobile-based and web-based. The mobile-based accounted for a market share of over 55% in 2023 . Mobile-based offerings have become essential for travel companies to capture and engage users effectively, as the proliferation of smartphones has led to increased adoption of mobile travel apps. Consumers increasingly prefer booking and managing their travel through mobile apps due to their convenience and functionality.  

Governments are investing in digital infrastructure to support mobile connectivity, which is crucial for the effectiveness of mobile travel apps. Policies are also being developed to ensure secure and seamless mobile transactions for travel services. In February 2024, the Indian government promoted digital payments through mobile apps. It encourages travel companies to adopt mobile payment solutions to facilitate easier transactions for both domestic and international travelers.  

Mobile travel bookings have been rising, with users favoring apps for real-time updates, easy access, and personalized experiences. Users expect personalized experiences and tailored recommendations from their mobile travel apps. The ability to access and manage travel information on-the-go is a significant driver of mobile app usage in the travel sector. In April 2024, Hopper updated its app to include personalized travel alerts, which notify users of price drops and deals based on their search history and preferences. It led to a 35% increase in app downloads.  

Based on traveler, the online travel market is categorized into leisure traveler and business traveler. The leisure traveler is expected to hold over USD 700 billion by 2032. Rising disposable incomes, especially in emerging markets, are contributing to a higher demand for leisure travel. Leisure travelers are increasingly looking for authentic, off-the-beaten-path experiences, including local culture and hidden gems. There is also a growing interest in sustainable travel options, eco-friendly accommodations, cultural immersion, adventure tourism, and eco-tourism.  

Leisure travelers are increasingly seeking unique, personalized travel experiences over traditional vacation packages. In April 2024, Airbnb expanded its "Experiences" section to include more niche and adventure activities, such as local cooking classes, wildlife safaris, and cultural tours. It led to a 40% increase in bookings for such experiences.  

North America online travel market accounted for 35% of the revenue share in 2023. North America, particularly the U.S. and Canada, has a high level of internet and smartphone penetration, which drives the adoption of online travel services. Travelers in North America prefer personalized travel experiences, relying heavily on digital platforms for customized itineraries and recommendations.  

The region shows a strong rebound in travel demand, driven by both domestic and international travel. In March 2024, The U.S. Department of Commerce launched a new campaign to boost international tourism, partnering with online travel agencies to offer promotional deals and discounts. It resulted in a 25% increase in travel bookings to the U.S.  

The Europe online travel market is characterized by diverse travel preferences, ranging from cultural tourism to beach vacations, leading to a robust demand for varied travel options. There is a growing emphasis on sustainable travel and eco-friendly tourism options in Europe as well. In March 2024, The European Commission launched the Digital Travel Initiative to support digital transformation in the travel sector. It focuses on enhancing online travel platforms and mobile app capabilities across EU member states.  

APAC countries, including China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Australia, are experiencing rapid growth in online travel bookings due to increasing internet penetration, a burgeoning middle class, and a rising interest in international travel. The region is highly diverse, with varying levels of digital adoption and travel preferences across different countries. In March 2024, the Chinese government unveiled a Smart Tourism Development Plan aimed at integrating advanced technologies into the tourism sector, including AI, Big Data, and Internet of Things (IoT). It aimed to enhance the online travel booking experience and provide personalized travel services.  

• Online Travel Market Share

Booking Holdings and Expedia Group dominate the market with around 5% market share. Booking Holdings primarily focuses on the Online Agency Model (OTA), acting as an intermediary between travelers and travel suppliers. It earns revenue through commissions on bookings made through its platforms including Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak, Agoda, etc. Additionally, the company leverages a metasearch engine model for additional revenue streams.  

Expedia Group utilizes a combined OTA and metasearch model. However, it might have a slightly higher focus on the metasearch model compared to Booking Holdings. The company’s brand portfolio includes Expedia.com, Vrbo, Hotels.com, Travelocity, and Orbitz. It leverages industry-leading technology, including AI predictions and virtual conversations.  

Online Travel Market Companies

Major players operating in the online travel industry are:

• American Express Travel
• Booking Holdings
• eTraveli Group
• Expedia Group
• Sabre Corporation
• Trip.com Group
• Webjet Limited  

Online Travel Industry News

• In May 2024, The Singapore Tourism Board launched a digital marketing campaign promoting online travel platforms and digital travel services to attract tourists from neighboring countries. The campaign has led to a 20% increase in tourist arrivals and boosted bookings on local travel websites.  
• In May 2024, The U.S. Department of Commerce launched grants to support travel tech innovations, focusing on enhancing mobile travel solutions and integrating AI for better user experiences. This initiative aims to boost the competitiveness of travel tech firms based in the U.S. in the lobal market.  

The online travel market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments: Click here to Buy Section of this Report

Market, By Services

• Accommodation
• Tour packages

Market, By Mode of Booking

• Online travel agencies
• Direct travel suppliers

Market, By Platform

• Mobile-based

Market, By Traveler

Market, By Application

• International booking
• Domestic booking

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• Rest of Europe
• South Korea
• Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Rest of Latin America
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• Rest of MEA

Click here to buy sections of this report

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

How much is the online travel market worth, why is the demand for mobile-based online travel rising, why is the online travel industry booming in north america, who are the major online travel market players, online travel market scope, premium report details.

• Base Year: 2023
• Companies covered: 20
• Tables & Figures: 360
• Countries covered: 21

Your personal details will remain secure and confidential.

Is your requirement urgent? Please give us your business email for a speedy delivery!

Enter your business email *

• Skift Research
• Airline Weekly
• Skift Meetings
• Daily Lodging Report

Online Travel Agency Factbook 2022

Seth Borko + Skift Team

Report Overview

Skift Research’s Online Travel Agency Factbook is your one-stop shop to understand the global universe of online booking sites.

We collected data on and built individual profiles for the eleven largest publicly traded online travel agencies. We analyzed the scale, revenue, growth, profitability, historical performance, and customer acquisition ability of each OTA.

These businesses span five continents and account for a majority of all global online bookings (we estimate they represent ~75% of the total market).

This dataset allowed us to build a global market size as well as to draw up an apples-to-apples comparison of each business and understand how each OTA stacks up to their competitors across key performance indicators.

The online booking industry has mostly maintained commission levels and gross bookings are returning. Therefore, OTA revenue is recovering faster than most other travel sectors. However, profitability has been deeply hurt and is much slower to recover.

The ‘big 3’ OTAs – Trip.com Group, Booking Holdings, and Expedia Group – are steadily improving. The path ahead for smaller regionals like Lastminute.com, On the Beach, or Yatra is much choppier. Specialist product OTA results have been a coinflip. Airbnb won that toss and was the best performing booking site in the world during COVID, while on the opposite end of things Hostelworld has been one of the worst performing.

The full list of booking sites included is: Airbnb, Booking Holdings, Despegar, eDreams ODIGEO, Expedia Group, HostelWorld Group, lastminute.com, MakeMyTrip Limited, On The Beach Group, Trip.com Group (f/k/a Ctrip), and Yatra Online.

What You'll Learn From This Report

• Global Online Travel Agency Market Size.
• 11 Online Travel Companies in Numbers: Side-by-Side Comparisons.
• Key performance indicators for each OTA covering dollars earned, margins and growth profiles, marketing efficiency, and historical performance.
• Individual company profiles for each public booking site the explains what makes that particular OTA unique compared to the others.

Related Reports

• State of Travel 2024: Travel in 350 Charts August 2024
• Booking Vs. Expedia: A 50 Chart Factbook August 2024
• A Deep Dive into Google Travel Part III: Hotel Distribution From East to West April 2024
• India’s Travel Booking Landscape March 2024

Want to read this report?

Get access to this report when you subscribe.

• 3+ new reports per month
• Access to 200+ reports
• Analyst Q&As through email
• 25% off tickets to Skift Forum events
• Quarterly analyst report review calls
• High resolution PDFs of new reports as they're released

The Evolution of Online Travel Agencies in the Last Decade: E-Travel SA as an Exceptional Paradigm

• Conference paper
• First Online: 22 June 2021
• Cite this conference paper

• Dimitra Psefti 3 ,
• Ioulia Poulaki 4 ,
• Alkistis Papaioannou 5 &
• Vicky Katsoni 6  

Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics ((SPBE))

1679 Accesses

2 Citations

The recent evolution in tourism industry driven by the technological advances is really significant. This paper aims to highlight the development of the online travel agencies (hereinafter OTAs) and the way that technology has contributed to this direction by investigating the case of an OTA company, namely e-Travel SA. The Internet seems to have changed dramatically and in a positive way the tourism industry. Information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, Internet of things as well as gamification, offer valuable tools and applications both to businesses and to customers. At the same time, the increased use of mobile devices, digital tools and social media along with the unlimited access to information has made consumers demanding and updated. Consequently, they require more and more useful services based on their needs. Considering the aforementioned, it is easy to understand that marketing strategies of many companies have changed and that these companies are now exploiting the state of the art in digital marketing tools in order to get the best possible result. E-Travel is a real example of the OTAs’ evolution during the last decade, and their success proves that opportunities may be generated by exploiting the technological advancements.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save.

• Get 10 units per month
• Download Article/Chapter or eBook
• 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
• Cancel anytime
• Available as PDF
• Read on any device
• Instant download
• Own it forever
• Available as EPUB and PDF
• Compact, lightweight edition
• Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
• Free shipping worldwide - see info
• Durable hardcover edition

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

The Role of ICT Applied to Tourism and Marketing in Asia

The Internet Influences Asian Tourism

OneAppy: An Interactive Platform Providing Novel Marketing Channels and Promoting Product and Services to the Tourism Industry

Bieger, T., & Laesser, C. (2004). Information sources for travel decisions: Toward a source process model. Journal of Travel Research, 42 (4), 357–371.

Article   Google Scholar  

Buhalis, D. (2004). eAirlines: strategic and tactical use of ICTs in the airline industry. Journal of Information and Management, 41 (7), 805–825. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2003.08.015

Castillo-Manzano, J., & Lopez-Valpuesta, L. (2010). (2010) The decline of the traditional travel agent model. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 46 (5), 639–649.

Katsoni, V. (2014). The strategic role of virtual communities and social network sites on tourism destination marketing. e-Journal of Science & Technology, 9 (5), 107–117

Google Scholar  

Katsoni, V. (2015). ICT applications in the hotel industry through an e-CRM systems theory approach. Academica turistica (Spletna izd.), letnik year 8, številka 1, str. 15–23, 67. Available at: https://www.dlib.si/details/URN:NBN:SI:doc-VES5GDHR

Katsoni, V. (2017). The effects of ICTs on tourism distribution channels and DMOs marketing strategies. In Z. Andreopoulou, N. Leandros, G. Quaranta, & R. Salvia (Eds.), New media, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism development (pp. 58–66). Italy: Francoangeli. EAN: 9788891751058, ISBN: 8891751057.

Navío-Marco, J., Ruiz-Gómez, L.M., Sevilla-Sevilla, C. (2018). Progress in information technology and tourism management: 30 years on and 20 years after the internet—Revisiting Buhalis & Law's landmark study about eTourism. Tourism Management, 69 , 460–470. Retrieved from: https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy.eap.gr/science/article/pii/S0261517718301134

Morosan, C. (2014). Toward an integrated model of adoption of mobile phones for purchasing ancillary services in air travel. International Journal of Contemporary HospitalityManagement, 27 (2), 246–271.

Poulaki, I. & Katsoni, V. (2020) Current trends in air services distribution channel strategy: Evolution through digital transformation. In V. Katsoni & T.H. Spyriadis (Eds), Cultural & Tourism Innovation in the Digital Era. 6th International Conference of IACUDIT, Athens, Greece , 12–15 June 2019. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36342-0_21

Standing, C., Vasudavan, T. (2000.) Diffusion of internet technologies in travel agencies in Australia. In ECIS 2000 Proceedings . Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/221407345_Diffusion_of_Internet_Technologies_in_Travel_Agencies_in_Australia_Craig

Tsang, N., Lai, M., & Law, R. (2010). Measuring E-Service quality for online travel agencies. Journal of Travel & Tourism Marketing, 27 (3), 306–323. https://doi.org/10.1080/10548401003744743 .

Xiang, Z. (2018), From digitalization to the age of acceleration: On information technology and tourism. Tourism Management Perspectives, 25 , 147–150. Retrieved from: https://www-sciencedirect-com.proxy.eap.gr/science/article/pii/S221197361730137X

Xiang, Z., Magninι, V.P., Fesenmaier, D.R. (2015) Information technology and consumer behavior in travel and tourism: Insights from travel planning using the internet. Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 22 , 244–249.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the departments of the company e-Travel SA for the provision of the data used in order to conduct this study.

Author information

Authors and affiliations.

Hellenic Open University, Patras, Greece

Dimitra Psefti

University of Patras, Patras, Greece

Ioulia Poulaki

University of Peloponnese, Kalamata, Greece

Alkistis Papaioannou

University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

Vicky Katsoni

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ioulia Poulaki .

Editor information

Editors and affiliations.

University of South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa

Ciná van Zyl

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Cite this paper.

Psefti, D., Poulaki, I., Papaioannou, A., Katsoni, V. (2021). The Evolution of Online Travel Agencies in the Last Decade: E-Travel SA as an Exceptional Paradigm. In: Katsoni, V., van Zyl, C. (eds) Culture and Tourism in a Smart, Globalized, and Sustainable World. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72469-6_40

Download citation

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-72469-6_40

Published : 22 June 2021

Publisher Name : Springer, Cham

Print ISBN : 978-3-030-72468-9

Online ISBN : 978-3-030-72469-6

eBook Packages : Business and Management Business and Management (R0)

Share this paper

Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:

Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.

Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative

• Publish with us

Policies and ethics

• Find a journal
• Track your research

• [email protected]
• +1 9726644514
• +91 9665341414

Adroit Market Research - Industry Insights

Online Travel Agencies Market - By Service Type (Vacation Packages, Transportation, Accommodation), By Device Platform (Mobile, Desktop), By Mode Of Payment (UPI, E-wallet, Debit Card) by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle-East, Africa, South America), Global Forecast 2022-2032.

Oct 2022 Total Pages: 121

Choose License Type

• Report Description
• Table of Contents
• Related Report
• Analyst Commentary
• Segment Analysis
• Regional Analysis

The whole process of making travel reservations has been digitalized thanks to technological advancements in the tourist sector. Nowadays, more travelers utilize internet services to arrange their vacations since they believe it to be a simple and convenient procedure. The rise of the tourist and hospitality industries has been driven by the internet procedure. As a result, internet travel firms are crucial to the tourist sector.

Impact of Covid-19

The 2020 coronavirus pandemic has had a significant economic impact on nations all over the world. Global activities came to a standstill as a result of the government's tight quarantine procedures and the closure of all unnecessary firms. One of the virus' most profound effects was on the travel and tourist sectors as most nations went into lockdown and faced harsh travel restrictions that made it difficult for people to move about. As a result, several sectors, including aviation, railroads, hotels, and tourism, experienced significant setbacks. The epidemic had a significant impact on the industry for internet travel agencies as well. The top seven publicly traded online travel businesses would lose at least $11.5 billion in income this year as a result of the virus, according a Skift Research piece.

Travelers in the market for online travel agencies like transportation services more.

The transportation service is the most popular service category among travellers. There is a significant demand for transportation services. Some transportation services, including vehicle rentals and bus travel companies, are in high demand since many people use them on a regular basis. In addition, the tempting deals and incentives from the transportation providers entice customers to utilize these online services more frequently. Last but not least, compared to tour/vacation packages or lodging, transportation services have a larger customer base because demand is only created when there is a need.

The market for online travel agencies will see a significant increase in travellers of the Millennial generation and younger age groups.

The number of visitors between the ages of 15 and 25 and 26 and 35 is anticipated to increase dramatically. Young and middle-aged individuals like exploring new locations, learning about new things, and travelling for enjoyment and leisure. In addition, young adults and members of the millennial generation are digitally savvy. They therefore frequently schedule their transportation and travel using internet platforms. Aside from this, members of the aforementioned age range frequently migrate across regions for job and education. The internet travel firms assist clients in making reservations and taking advantage of services at reasonable prices as they look for cost-effective travel and lodging options.

Demand for all forms of payment is generated in the market for online travel agencies by cashback offers, schemes, and ease of payment.

All payment methods will be equally preferred in terms of payment methods. The ease of use and speed of transactions made possible by online payment methods make them a popular choice. Travelers prefer UPI transactions in particular because they can book their services with just one click. In addition, e-wallets like Upi provide prizes and discounts for regular payments or for reaching a specific threshold, whilst credit and debit cards produce points that may be exchanged for cashback or credit toward other services. As a result, all payment methods are in great demand in the market for online travel firms.

The goal of the online travel agency is to sell travel services on digital channels. Online travel firms have grown significantly during the past several years. The tourist business has undergone a transformation thanks to the rise.

Online travel agencies may offer their own direct services through an online platform or act as a middleman between customers and travel and booking firms. The goal of these online travel firms is to provide booking services online, from the moment of service selection through the point of sale. Travelers may use online services to organize their trips, and online portals offer various services, including pricing comparison, cost prediction, lodging information, destination data, transit options, and even tour packages. In the meanwhile, internet travel agencies work to give their clients a simple, quick, and comfortable option to make reservations.

The evolution of online travel companies has gone through several stages in order to improve operational efficiency. Rising income levels among individuals are one of the primary drivers of the expansion of online travel firms. The increase in disposable cash gives passengers the chance to take international trips. The reach of online travel agents is extensive and widespread. To increase and broaden the range of services they provide to avid travellers, online travel firms implement new methods and improve technologies.

In 2020, the global market for online travel agencies had grown at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.5% since 2015. Its worth was close to $460.9 billion. The market for online travel agencies grew at a 15.1% CAGR from $453.9 billion in 2020 to $775.1 billion in 2025. The global COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant travel restrictions in the majority of nations, is mostly to blame for the decline. As a result, numerous sectors, including aviation, railroads, hotels, and tourism, experienced significant setbacks. In 2032, the market for online travel agencies is anticipated to reach $900.15 billion, growing at a CAGR of 15.8% from 2032.

Solo travellers have grown significantly over the past few years, and for very specific reasons. Travelers go on vacation for pleasure, and amusement, and to engage in outdoor pursuits like skiing, hiking, and other winter sports. Social media is also having a big influence and drawing a lot of people to go to different places. Bookings made through online travel agents have increased along with the increase in persons participating in these activities. Online travel firms offer a comprehensive itinerary as part of vacation packages or assist customers in making travel, dining, and lodging reservations over the phone or with other technology.

In some areas, social and political unrest has an impact on the travel and tourism sector. Even if they may get travel services at low costs, customers choose to stay away from these locations that are prone to conflict. The governments of various countries have also issued warnings for tourists to stay away from places where there are diseases or social/political instability. This restricts the availability of internet travel reservations to certain nations, which has an impact on the market's sales.

Major players profiled in the study include Expedia Group, Ebury Partners UK, Fareportal, Hostelworld Limited, Hurb Co S/A, HRS, MakeMyTrip, Oracle Corporation, Priceline, SABS Travel Technologies, Tavisca Solutions, Thomas Cook India, travelomatix.com, Trip.com Group, Tripadvisor, WEX. among others.

Latest Developments

• Expedia Group just revealed an Open World Technology platform for 2022. Technology is created for partner organisations. The platform is ideal for the agency looking to launch a new online travel business since it includes a comprehensive ecommerce suit, with several blocks including payments, chatbots, services, and fraud detection.

Online Travel Agencies Market Scope

Key Segments in the global Online Travel Market

By Service Type, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)

• Transportation
• Vacation Packages
• Accommodation

By Device Platform, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)

By Payment Modes, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)

• Debit / Credit Card
• Others (Vouchers, Discount Codes)

By Region, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)

North America

• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• Rest of Asia Pacific

South America

• Rest of South America

Middle-East and South Africa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What is the market value of online travel agencies market in 2032, what is the growth rate of online travel agencies market, which are the top companies hold the market share in online travel agencies market.

1.  Introduction        o Introduction       o Market Definition and Scope       o Units, Currency, Conversions, and Years Considered       o Key Stakeholders       o Key Questions Answered 2.  Research Methodology        o Introduction       o Data Capture Sources       o Market Size Estimation       o Market Forecast       o Data Triangulation       o Assumptions and Limitations 3.  Market Outlook        o Introduction       o Market Dynamics            ? Drivers           ? Restraints           ? Opportunities           ? Challenges       o Porter’s Five Forces Analysis       o PEST Analysis 4. By Service Type, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)       • Transportation       • Vacation Packages       • Accommodation 5. By Device Platform, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)       • Mobile       • Desktop 6. By Payment Modes, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)       • UPI       • E-Wallet       • Debit / Credit Card       • Others (Vouchers, Discount Codes) 7. Regional Overview, 2019-2029 (USD Billion)       North America           o U.S           o Canada       Europe           o Germany           o France           o UK           o Rest of Europe       Asia Pacific           o China           o India           o Japan           o Rest of Asia Pacific       South America           o Mexico           o Dental            o Rest of South America       Middle-East and South Africa 8. Competitive Landscape        o Company Ranking       o Market Share Analysis       o Strategic Initiatives            ? Mergers & Acquisitions           ? New Product Launch           ? Others 9.  Company Profiles       • Expedia Group       • Ebury Partners UK       • Fareportal       • Hostelworld Limited       • Hurb Co S/A       • HRS       • MakeMyTrip       • Oracle Corporation       • Priceline       • SABS Travel Technologies       • Tavisca Solutions       • Thomas Cook India       • travelomatix.com       • Trip.com Group       • Tripadvisor       • WEX. 10. Appendix        o Primary Research Approach            ? Primary Interview Participants           ? Primary Interview Summary       o Questionnaire       o Related Reports            ? Published           ? Upcoming  

Leaving without a Sample Report?

Enter your details and we shall send you a free sample report

The Complete Guide to Booking Travel Online

What is an online travel agency, and what are the best sites and apps to use to search for hotels and flights we break it all down for you..

• Copy Link copied

There’s a lot to navigate when researching and booking travel online.

Photo by Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

My first travel adventure was to Venezuela. I booked the ticket with a travel agent over a pay phone. The agent searched a dozen flight itineraries over a few days, all so I could save $15.

Times have changed. Today, flight searches start online , often on your mobile device. Passengers book either directly with the airline or hotel or with online travel agencies. Rarely do we get on the phone. In fact, American Airlines and United Airlines charge $25 to make a domestic flight booking by phone. And pay phones hardly exist anymore.

So, what is the best way to book online? Here is our complete guide to online travel agencies, search tools, and the variety of booking options available on both mobile devices and desktops.

What is an OTA?

An online travel agency, or OTA, is a website or mobile app that allows users to search for and book travel services such as flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and activities. The booking is made directly with the online travel agency but confirmed by the service provider, such as an airline or a hotel. As a customer, your relationship is with the OTA.

What are the main OTAs?

Many online travel agencies nowadays are owned by two main companies: Expedia and Priceline. The Expedia Group is the largest online travel agency in the United States with 70 percent market share, according to travel data firm Phocuswright. Expedia Group operates Expedia.com , Orbitz, Hotels.com , Trivago, CheapTickets , Hotwire , Vrbo , and Travelocity .

Priceline is a major competitor to Expedia, with global revenues larger than the Expedia Group. The company owns Priceline.com, Booking.com, Cheapflights, Momondo, and Kayak—the latter two being metasearch engines (more on that below).

There are also independent newcomers such as Hopper (a mobile-only booking tool) and Kiwi.com (which allows you to book flights on air carriers that don’t normally have a commercial relationship).

Are OTA fares lower than booking directly?

Generally, no. The fares that are displayed by an OTA will be similar if not slightly more expensive when compared to an airline’s website. They’re usually only a few dollars higher or lower. The OTAs charge a booking fee to the airlines, and often that fee is passed directly to consumers. For example, Lufthansa tacks on an additional $18 to any booking made through an OTA for Lufthansa flights. The same flights are exactly $18 cheaper on the airline’s website.

Where you can score a good travel deal through an OTA is when booking a last-minute hotel and flight package. Many OTAs have cut agreements with airlines allowing last-minute travelers to access lower rates than are typically available when passengers book a flight alone.

Are all airlines available to be booked through OTAs?

No. Many OTAs do not display flights from some of the low-fare leaders. For example, Southwest and Allegiant flights are not available through OTAs; the same goes for Ryanair in Europe. And, earlier this year United Airlines threatened to pull out of Expedia altogether, only recently signing a multi-year agreement to stay in. The airlines would rather not lose any margin to online travel agencies in an already low-margin industry and would rather maintain a direct relationship with the customer.

Are smaller OTAs safe to use?

Expedia and Priceline are the two largest players in the online booking space, but there are dozens of independent OTAs, such as CheapOAir, OneTravel, JustFly, and SmartFares. Confusingly, you might actually stumble on ads for these OTAs while using Expedia or Priceline sites. That’s because the larger OTAs earn revenue through advertising, sending passengers to smaller OTAs and charging those OTAs for the favor.

Buyer beware: some of these lesser-known OTAs are masters at hidden fees. For example, a flight search on JetBlue allows for free seat selection in many instances. If you perform the same search on FlightNetwork, an independent OTA, and select a seat, you will be charged an additional $25—despite the fact that JetBlue doesn’t charge a seat selection fee if you book directly.

What if you need to change your itinerary?

Itinerary changes are often a pain. If your plans change, it won’t matter whether you’ve booked directly with an airline or with an OTA—you’re going to pay fees for the privilege, if you can even change your ticket at all.

For example, CheapTickets.com, which is part of the Expedia Group, charges $25 to change or cancel a ticket if that change is requested after 24 hours of making the booking—it is free if you do so within 24 hours of booking. However, the fees go up from there. JustFly, an independent OTA, charges a $75 fee for changes to domestic flights in addition to airline change fees, plus the difference in fare, for tickets that can be changed. For an international trip, the fee rises to $200. That means to change an international flight with Delta (which charges a $100 change fee) booked through JustFly, you’ll be assessed $300 in fees, plus the difference in fare. At that rate, you may as well book a new flight. FlightNetwork indicates in its terms of service that changes may incur a change fee but doesn’t specify what those fees are. That hardly makes the few dollars you saved by booking with the OTA in the first place worth it.

What is an OTA price match policy?

To assure travelers that they are getting the lowest fare possible, many OTAs have a price match policy. The rules vary and so do the benefits.

For example, if you book with Orbitz and find a less expensive flight, car rental, or activity on any U.S.-based website within 24 hours of your booking, Orbitz will refund you the difference you paid. And it works: I have personally found a flight in the same class, on the same airline, for the same origin and destination cities, and requested Orbitz to refund the difference of around $35. Within a few weeks, I received a check in the mail. A similar program applies for CheapOAir, but there’s a catch—the price difference must be found on a major OTA such as Expedia or Travelocity.

Expedia has a particularly good price match policy, but you have to pay extra for it at the time of booking. Expedia offers the price match option as an add-on that costs between $5 and $30 when you book. With the price match applied, if the airfare on Expedia drops between 120 days of the flight and up to six hours before the flight, Expedia will automatically refund you the difference in fare. Unfortunately, fares generally do not drop substantially as the travel date approaches, so while this might give you peace of mind, it’s probably not worth the expense.

How do Google Flights and other travel metasearch engines work?

Frequent fliers are likely familiar with websites such as Google Flights, Kayak, Momondo, or Skyscanner. On these websites, passengers search on the site but are redirected to the service provider to complete the booking, such as an airline, rental car company, or hotel.

Metasearch started with a product called ITA Matrix, which is a tool for searching airfares online but not for actually booking online. ITA Matrix allows for multi-city searching, such as setting two different departure or arrival airports, and for offering a calendar view of fares for easier comparison. That company was acquired by Google in 2011, and savvy travelers swear by it to help find the least expensive fares online. Most consumers are more familiar with Google Flights, which has gained traction more recently not least because it has the benefit of being displayed first in search results on Google.

Metasearch engines receive distribution fees from the airlines for sending traffic to the supplier websites. There are no additional hidden fees for using a metasearch engine because you’re booking directly with the airline or hotel.

A major benefit of the metasearch engines is their price tracking tool, which lets users know whether the displayed fares are low, average, or high for the flight, allowing travelers to make a more informed decision on whether to book a flight or not . Google Flights and Kayak, for instance, both have price tracking tools.

Why not just book directly?

The airlines would definitely much rather you book directly with them. Over the past five years, they have gotten much better at marketing and selling their product directly to consumers online and through mobile sites and apps. But in the past, they weren’t so good at it. In fact, Delta, Northwest, United, American, and Continental got together to invest $145 million to launch Orbitz in 1999 to counter the threat from Expedia. Now Orbitz is owned by Expedia.

The airlines also try to encourage customers to book directly so that they can maintain a closer relationship with them. It allows carriers to connect bookings with loyalty programs and create special offers and discounts catered to individual passengers.

There is another benefit to booking directly. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires carriers to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be cancelled within 24 hours without penalty, so long as the booking is made at least seven days before travel. The law applies, however, only to U.S. and foreign air carriers that have websites marketed to U.S. consumers. This means that, in theory, an online travel agency does not have to offer such a policy, although most OTAs do.

What are the options for booking on your mobile device?

Airlines and the major OTAs all have apps to help you book and manage your trip on your mobile device, but their functionality is lacking compared to these websites’ desktop editions. For example, Expedia’s app doesn’t allow you to view flights on a month-view calendar. Kayak has an app with more bells and whistles and a better user interface, including a month-view calendar with color-coded pricing. It also has a handy “augmented reality” function to help you see if your carry-on bag will fit in the overhead bin (a feature originally developed by KLM). Point your phone’s camera at the luggage, and it’ll give you the dimensions.

While apps are improving and gaining in popularity, you still might find it easier to locate the best deals on flights and hotels by using your desktop, where you can have multiple tabs open and have all the available search tools at your disposal. Apps are fine for booking directly with an airline once you know which flights you want to book.

If you’re determined to use your mobile device, you may want to look into Hopper. Hopper is a mobile-first flight booking tool that has a solid price prediction tool. You can research travel options and book directly on the app. Another benefit of Hopper: Of its team of 300 employees, nearly half are dedicated to customer support and are based in Canada versus some OTAs and airlines that outsource much of their customer service further afield.

The bottom line?

Like many travelers, I enjoy a flight deal as much as the next person, but I also don’t like any added hassle. I typically start my travel searches using the ITA Matrix or Google Flights to get a general sense of the fares. It helps to know what is a good deal and what is expensive for a particular route. I do my research, typically on a desktop computer. When I’m ready to book, I’ll book directly with the airline. I’ve found that customer service is better when booking directly with the service provider. But I’ve also saved money by using OTAs and have booked with them, too. Whichever way you choose to book, you can be safe in the knowledge that finding and purchasing travel online is a lot easier today than searching for a deal with a travel agent on a pay phone.

>> Next: How to Get the Best Last-Minute Travel Deals

• Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Travel agency industry - statistics & facts

The biggest players of the ota market, the travel agency and tour operator retail market, key insights.

Detailed statistics

Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028

U.S. travel agency industry market size 2012-2022

U.S. tour operator industry market size 2022-2023

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Tour Operators & Travel Agencies

Market size of the travel agency services industry worldwide 2011-2024

Online Travel Market

Revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023

Further recommended statistics

Industry overview.

• Premium Statistic Market size of the tourism sector worldwide 2011-2024
• Premium Statistic Online travel market size worldwide 2017-2028
• Premium Statistic Key information on the global travel agency industry January 2024
• Basic Statistic Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading travel companies worldwide 2023, by sales
• Premium Statistic Number of employees at leading travel companies worldwide 2023

Market size of the tourism sector worldwide 2011-2024

Market size of the tourism sector worldwide from 2011 to 2023, with a forecast for 2024 (in trillion U.S. dollars)

Online travel market size worldwide from 2017 to 2023, with a forecast until 2028 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Key information on the global travel agency industry January 2024

Key data on the travel agency industry worldwide as of January 2024

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide 2023

Market cap of leading online travel companies worldwide as of September 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Leading travel companies worldwide 2023, by sales

Leading travel companies worldwide in 2023, by gross sales (in billion U.S. dollars)

Number of employees at leading travel companies worldwide 2023

Number of employees at selected leading travel companies worldwide in 2023

Online travel agencies (OTAs)

• Premium Statistic Revenue of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Marketing expenses of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Marketing/revenue ratio of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023
• Basic Statistic Revenue of Booking Holdings worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Expedia Group, Inc. worldwide 2007-2023
• Premium Statistic Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023
• Premium Statistic Total revenue of Trip.com Group 2013-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Tripadvisor worldwide 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Despegar: revenue 2015-2023

Leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide from 2019 to 2023, by revenue (in million U.S. dollars)

Marketing expenses of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023

Marketing expenses of leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide from 2019 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Marketing/revenue ratio of leading OTAs worldwide 2019-2023

Marketing to revenue ratio of leading online travel agencies (OTAs) worldwide from 2019 to 2023

Revenue of Booking Holdings worldwide 2007-2023

Revenue of Booking Holdings worldwide from 2007 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Expedia Group, Inc. worldwide 2007-2023

Revenue of Expedia Group, Inc. worldwide from 2007 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Airbnb revenue worldwide 2017-2023

Revenue of Airbnb worldwide from 2017 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Total revenue of Trip.com Group 2013-2023

Total revenue of Trip.com Group Ltd. in China from 2013 to 2023 (in billion yuan)

Revenue of Tripadvisor worldwide 2008-2023

Revenue of Tripadvisor, Inc. worldwide from 2008 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Despegar: revenue 2015-2023

Revenue of Despegar.com, Corp. from 2015 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

Travel websites and apps

• Premium Statistic Most popular travel and tourism websites worldwide 2024
• Premium Statistic Total visits to travel and tourism website booking.com worldwide 2021-2024
• Premium Statistic Total visits to travel and tourism website tripadvisor.com worldwide 2020-2024
• Premium Statistic ACSI - U.S. customer satisfaction with online travel websites as of 2024
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps in the U.S. 2023
• Premium Statistic Leading travel apps in the U.S. 2022, by market share
• Premium Statistic Leading travel apps in Europe 2022, by market share

Most popular travel and tourism websites worldwide 2024

Most visited travel and tourism websites worldwide as of April 2024 (in million visits)

Total visits to travel and tourism website booking.com worldwide 2021-2024

Estimated total number of visits to the travel and tourism website booking.com worldwide from December 2021 to June 2024 (in millions)

Total visits to travel and tourism website tripadvisor.com worldwide 2020-2024

Estimated total number of visits to the travel and tourism website tripadvisor.com worldwide from August 2020 to June 2024 (in millions)

ACSI - U.S. customer satisfaction with online travel websites as of 2024

U.S. customer satisfaction with online travel websites from 2000 to 2024 (index score)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps worldwide 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps worldwide in 2023 (in millions)

Number of aggregated downloads of leading online travel agency apps in the U.S. 2023

Number of aggregated downloads of selected leading online travel agency apps in the United States in 2023 (in millions)

Leading travel apps in the U.S. 2022, by market share

Market share of leading travel apps in the United States in 2022

Leading travel apps in Europe 2022, by market share

Market share of leading travel apps in Europe in 2022

Travel agencies and tour operators

• Premium Statistic U.S. travel agency industry market size 2012-2022
• Premium Statistic U.S. tour operator industry market size 2022-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of TUI AG worldwide 2004-2023
• Premium Statistic Leading travel agents ranked by number of outlets in the UK 2024
• Premium Statistic Leading ATOL-licensed tour operators in the UK 2024, by passengers licensed
• Premium Statistic Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023

Market size of the travel agency sector in the United States from 2012 to 2022 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Market size of the tour operator sector in the United States in 2022 and 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of TUI AG worldwide 2004-2023

Revenue of TUI AG worldwide from 2004 to 2023 (in billion euros)

Leading travel agents ranked by number of outlets in the UK 2024

Leading travel agencies in the United Kingdom (UK) as of February 2024, by number of travel shops

Leading ATOL-licensed tour operators in the UK 2024, by passengers licensed

Leading ATOL-licensed tour operators in the United Kingdom as of February 2024, ranked by number of passengers licensed

Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the UK 2008-2023

Turnover of Hays Travel Limited in the United Kingdom from 2008 to 2023 (in million GBP)

Cruise companies

• Premium Statistic Worldwide cruise company market share 2022
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023
• Premium Statistic TUI cruise brand revenue worldwide 2015-2023, by brand
• Premium Statistic Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2023

Worldwide cruise company market share 2022

Worldwide market share of leading cruise companies in 2022

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide 2008-2023

Revenue of Carnival Corporation & plc worldwide from 2008 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises worldwide 1988-2023

Revenue of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. worldwide from 1988 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line worldwide 2011-2023

Revenue of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. worldwide from 2011 to 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)

TUI cruise brand revenue worldwide 2015-2023, by brand

Revenue of TUI cruise brands worldwide from 2015 to 2023, by brand (in million euros)

Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide 2020-2023

Percentage change in revenue of leading cruise companies worldwide from 2020 to 2023 (compared to 2019)

Further reports

Get the best reports to understand your industry.

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Online Travel Agencies Market

Exploring the Online Travel Agencies Market: A Comprehensive Examination by Transportation, Vacation Packages, Accommodation

Transforming the Travel Landscape- Exploring the Expanding Online Travel Agencies Market and the Influence of Artificial Intelligence on Personalized Travel Experiences. Find more with FMI

• Report Preview
• Request Methodology

Online Travel Agencies Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

As per newly released data by Future Market Insights (FMI), the online travel agencies market is estimated at US$ 465.1 million in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 1,694.2 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2023 to 2033.

Don't pay for what you don't need

Customize your report by selecting specific countries or regions and save 30%!

Revenue of Online Travel Agencies from 2018 to 2022 Compared to Demand Outlook for 2023 to 2033

As per the FMI analysis, the market for online travel agencies secured a 6.70% CAGR from 2018 to 2022, touching US$ 355.4 million in 2022.

The technological development in the tourism industry has digitalized the entire process of travel bookings. Nowadays traveler makes more use of online services for travel booking as they feel it is a convenient and hassle-free process.

The online process has led to the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry. Therefore, online travel agencies play a significant role in the tourism industry.

Online travel agencies comprise various travel bookings, hotel bookings, transportation service bookings, and many more.

Online travel agencies serve the purpose of selling travel services on online platforms. In the last few years, there is a significant rise in the growth of online travel agencies. The growth has helped to revolutionize the tourism industry.

The above-mentioned factors augur well for the online travel agencies market future trends, where it is predicted that the market likely reaches US$ 1,694.2 million by 2033 at 13.8% CAGR through 2033.

What are the Features and Convenience of Use that Drive the Demand for the Online Travel Agencies?

• Online travel agencies offer a range of services either directly from their own companies or act as intermediaries between travel and booking agencies and end users.
• The main purpose of online travel agencies is to provide booking services online, covering everything from selecting a service to the point of sale on the Internet.
• Online portals offered by these agencies provide various services including price comparison, cost estimation, accommodation options, destination information, transportation modes, and even tour packages.
• The convenience, speed, and ease of booking provided by online travel services attract travelers, offering a convenient and efficient way to plan their trips.
• By utilizing online travel services, travelers can save both time and money, making it an appealing option for those seeking efficient and cost-effective travel arrangements.

Principal Consultant

Talk to Analyst

Find your sweet spots for generating winning opportunities in this market.

What is Fostering the Expansion of the Market Size: The Rise in Disposable Income and New Development Initiatives?

• Increasing disposable income among individuals has played a significant role in driving the demand for online travel agencies, as people now have more financial resources to explore and travel to various destinations worldwide.
• Online travel agencies have successfully established a global reach, expanding their services and operations across different regions and countries, catering to the diverse travel needs and preferences of customers.
• To meet the evolving demands of the market, online travel agencies continuously adopt new strategies and upgrade their technologies, ensuring enhanced service offerings and improved customer experiences.
• The inclusion of travel insurance and baggage insurance by online travel agencies provides an added layer of security and peace of mind for travelers, contributing to the overall convenience and reliability of their services.
• Transparency throughout the booking process is a key focus for online travel agencies, ensuring customers have access to comprehensive information and pricing details, fostering trust and confidence in their decision-making.
• The initiatives taken by online travel agencies, such as integrating advanced technologies and providing comprehensive travel solutions, have successfully attracted the new generation of tech-savvy travelers, generating a strong demand in the market.
• Despite the challenges faced during the pandemic, the online travel agencies market remains resilient and continues to evolve, adapting to changing customer expectations and emerging market trends.

What Impact Does the Increasing Number of Solo Travelers Have on the Growth of the Online Travel Agencies Industry?

• There has been a significant increase in the number of solo travelers in recent years, driven by specific reasons such as leisure, recreation, and engaging in activities like water sports, hiking, riding, skiing, and more.
• The influence of social media has played a major role in attracting a wide audience to explore different regions, leading to a rise in online travel agencies' booking transactions.
• Online travel agencies offer comprehensive tour plans, including vacation packages, and assist solo travelers in making travel, food, and accommodation arrangements through convenient platforms such as phones or other devices.
• This convenience and affordability make online travel agencies a preferred choice for solo travelers, who may lack extensive knowledge or prefer cost-effective options.
• In recent years, online travel agencies have surpassed offline tour operators and travel agents in terms of popularity and usage among solo travelers.

Get the data you need at a Fraction of the cost

Personalize your report by choosing insights you need and save 40%!

Country-wise Insights

What is the growth outlook for the europe online travel agencies industry.

The growth outlook for the Europe online travel agencies industry is positive, with a value share of 22.30% in 2022. The industry is expected to continue growing steadily, supported by various factors such as increasing online travel bookings, technological advancements, and evolving customer preferences.

The CAGR of the United Kingdom at 5.00% from 2023 to 2033 indicates a promising growth trajectory for the market. The rising adoption of online platforms for travel planning and booking, along with the convenience and extensive range of services offered by online travel agencies, are driving the industry's growth.

The industry is likely to witness further advancements in mobile applications, personalized travel experiences, and innovative marketing strategies, contributing to the expansion of the Europe online travel agencies market in the coming years.

How Online Travel Agencies Market is Progressing in India?

In India online leading companies like Yatra.com, Kesari Tours, Veena World, Make My Trip, others are dominating the tourism industry in India, contributing to the country’s anticipated CAGR of 6.0% from 2023 to 2033.

India attracts many foreigners to discover and explore its culture and diversity. Foreigners find Indian travel agencies more affordable than booking tours from abroad. Hence, they use Indian online travel agencies’ websites for booking accommodation and transportation.

Meanwhile, India being one of the leading countries in the count of internet users, it can be concluded that the vast majority of the population is tech-savvy. Thus, online travel agencies try various marketing tools to connect with travelers and encourage them to avail of their services.

The attractive advertisements, loyalty programs, and offers from leading online travel agencies have influenced the domestic market. Therefore, the known online agencies have gained the trust of domestic travelers of the country over the years.

What are the Factors Driving the Online Travel Agencies Industry in the United States of America?

As per the FMI analysis, the market for online travel agencies in the United States was predicted to garner a value share of 5.50% in 2022.

United States is one of the major markets of tourism with millions of travelers visiting every year. Domestic travelers in the United States of America use online travel agencies’ websites and applications extensively.

Apart from this, the airline service is availed by United States citizens majorly. Therefore, there is a high demand for travelers using online travel agencies’ websites for airline travel booking.

With the high standard of living and high disposable income due to the high value of currency travelers are ready to spend a high amount of money on traveling and exploring new adventures. Thus, there is a high demand from travelers for luxury tourism, adventure sports, and various type of outdoor activities.

Category-wise Insights

Which service type is more preferred by travelers in online travel agencies market.

According to the analysis, in terms of service type the transportation service is widely preferred by travelers with the sub-segment holding a 22.0% value share in 2022.

Transportation services generate a high demand for their services. Few the transport services such as car rentals or bus travel agencies are in heavy demand as they are the part of daily mode of transport for many travelers.

Apart from this the attractive offers and schemes from the transportation services attract travelers to use these online services more often. Lastly, the transportation services are having a wide coverage of travelers as compared to the tour/vacation packages or accommodations as they generate demand only when there is a need.

How is the Competitive Landscape in the Market for Online Travel Agencies?

Leading players operating globally in the market are focusing on the expansion of their business. Also working on their service and creating advanced technology to attract new customers.

The competitive landscape in the market for online travel agencies is intense and dynamic. Numerous players, ranging from established companies to emerging startups, compete for market share.

Key industry players strive to differentiate themselves by offering unique features, enhanced user experiences, and a wide range of travel services.

They invest in advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, to provide personalized recommendations and streamline booking processes. Additionally, partnerships with airlines, hotels, and other travel service providers are crucial to expand their offerings and provide competitive pricing.

Continuous innovation, customer-centric strategies, and effective marketing campaigns are vital for online travel agencies to gain a competitive edge in this rapidly evolving market.

Key Players

• Expedia Group Inc.
• Booking Holding Inc.
• Trip Advisor Inc.
• MakeMyTrip Pvt. Limited
• Hostelworld Group PLC (HSW)
• Trivago N.V
• Thomas Cook India Ltd.
• Lastminute.com Group
• Orbitz Worldwide
• Walt Disney World

For instance:

• In the year 2018, Booking.com announced a new product version of the booking.com application and website at Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA). The new product features allow users to select the product of a partner’s brand beyond booking.com own products. Also, they introduced group connect, guest management, and enhance connectivity features in their new application.
• Recently in 2022, Expedia Group announced an Open World Technology platform. The technology is developed for partner agencies. The platform has a complete e-commerce suit, with various blocks like payments, chatbot, services, and fraud detection, and is perfect for the agency planning to enter the newly in online travel business.

Segmentation Analysis

By service type:.

• Transportation
• Vacation Packages
• Accommodation

By Device Platform:

By payment modes:.

• Debit / Credit Card
• Others (Vouchers, Discount Codes)

By Booking Type:

• Online Travel Agents
• Direct Travel Agents

By Customer Segment:

• Corporate Traveller
• Individual Traveller

By Age Group:

• 15-25 Years
• 26-35 Years
• 36-45 Years
• 46-55 Years
• 66-75 Years
• North America
• Latin America

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the historical performance of the market.

During 2018 to 2022, the market grew at a 6.70% CAGR.

Who are the Key Market Players of this market?

Airbnb, Trip Advisor Inc., and Trivago N.V. are key market players.

What factors contribute to the attraction of this market in Europe?

Increasing online travel bookings raises the market.

How Big is this market?

This market is valued at US$ 465.1 million in 2023.

How Big will be this Market by 2033?

This market is estimated to reach US$ 1,694.2 million by 2033.

Table of Content

Recommendations.

Travel and Tourism

Travel Agency Services Market

REP-GB-3038

Managed Travel Distribution Market

REP-GB-3011

October 2022

Explore Travel and Tourism Insights

- Get Free Brochure -

Your personal details are safe with us. Privacy Policy*

- Get a Free Sample -

- Request Methodology -

- Customize Now -

I need Country Specific Scope ( -30% )

- Talk To Analyst -

I am searching for Specific Info.

- Download Report Brochure -

You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Trip Planning
• Budget Travel

Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

Related Articles

Latest on Online Travel Agencies

Booking with Partnered Online Travel Agents (OTA)

Partnered Online Travel Agents (OTA) are online travel agents that have signed commercial agreements with Ryanair to display our flights and products on their websites and offer them for sale as part of their dynamic packages. The partnerships guarantee that if you book a partnered OTA package containing Ryanair flights, you get to book your Ryanair flight directly on the Ryanair.com website without having to leave the OTA web page. This means that you will be a direct Ryanair passenger and get all the benefits that come with booking direct. You will be able to manage your booking through your myRyanair account, which means the ability to add bags, seats or priority boarding or pre-order your food or beverages and skip the trolley queue onboard! See our menu here . You will also receive all important flight updates directly to your email address, including check-in reminders and any urgent updates regarding your flight schedule.

You have booked directly with Ryanair and therefore you can manage your booking through your myRyanair account.

Click here to access your booking in the manage booking hub and to add seats/bags/equipment or any travel extras available on Ryanair.com.

Please see Ryanair’s Bag Policies here .

Please see Ryanair’s Seat Policies here .

Flight changes and name changes can also be completed on the Ryanair Manage Booking Hub .  

If your query is flight related and you cannot find the answer in our Help Centre, you can either contact the partnered OTA that you booked with, or you can contact us . For all refund queries, please contact the partnered OTA you booked with.

If you have booked through one of Ryanair’s Partnered OTAs, you will need to contact them in order to process a refund for your booking. Ryanair tickets are generally non-refundable. If your flight operated and you did not travel, you’re not entitled to a refund. You may have valid reasons for deciding not to travel, but our business model is simple - we do not offer refunds to people who do not travel because the seat you booked has operated empty in your absence.

In rare instances where Ryanair has cancelled your flight, failed to operate the flight reasonably according to schedule or you were denied boarding you may be entitled to a refund in accordance with Regulation (EC) 261/2004. You may also be entitled to a refund if an immediate family member who is not travelling with you dies within 28 days of your booked flight or if you or someone on your booking is seriously ill or passes away before your trip.

You may be eligible for a refund of your ticket under the following circumstances:

• If your flight has been cancelled;
• If you have experienced a flight delay of over 5 hours;
• If your scheduled time of departure is delayed by at least 5 hours;
• In the case of a very serious illness or bereavement of a booked passenger or bereavement of an immediate family member who is not travelling with you.

Please contact the partnered OTA you booked with to process a refund.

You will receive an email from our Customer Service confirming your flight cancellation/delay, or schedule change details. This will give you the following options, depending on your disruption type:

• Request to be re-routed, under comparable transport conditions, to your final destination at your earliest opportunity or at a later date at your convenience, subject to availability;
• Change your flight on the same route to new times/dates for free.
• Request a refund;
• To request a refund, click the refund link in your email which will bring you to the partnered OTA you had booked with.

Alternatively, you can access your booking through the My Bookings section on Ryanair.com ( click here ).

For any queries on this, please refer to our Help Centre or Ryanair’s General Terms & Conditions of Carriage.

We may offer refunds in exceptional circumstances where you have suffered the death of someone on your booking or of an immediate family member, within 28 days prior to your departure date. An immediate family member is defined as your spouse, civil partner, parent, stepparent, guardian children, stepchildren, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, brother/ sister, step-brother/step-sister, father/mother-in-law, brother/sister-in-law, or son/daughter-in-law. We may refund the total amount for everyone travelling on the booking. To apply, please contact the Partnered OTA you booked with and provide the below:

• Your flight reservation number;
• Your relationship with the deceased;
• Documentary evidence (death cert or death notice);
• Confirmation of the customers on the flight reservation who require a refund.

Refund requests for death of an immediate family member must be submitted before your date of travel to the Partnered OTA you booked with.

Ryanair strongly recommends that all passengers take out travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances affecting their trip. Please contact your travel insurance provider in relation to any claims you may wish to raise if you are not able to travel due to a serious or life-threatening illness.

If you become seriously or terminally ill and unable to travel before the trip, and the date of diagnosis is within 6 weeks of your booked flight, Ryanair may refund you the cost of your flight, please contact the Partnered OTA you booked with to apply.

In support of your request, you must upload documentation from a medical professional on surgery/ hospital headed paper signed and dated within six weeks of your booked flight, clearly identifying the illness selected in the form and confirming the customer’s inability to fly as a result of this illness. Please redact any additional personal information in the documentation that does not relate to the specific illness selected above.

Serious illness requests are considered on a case-by-case basis at our reasonable discretion. We will review the documentation uploaded to confirm that it aligns with the information submitted in the refund request through the Partnered OTA and notify you of our determination as soon as possible.

We don’t offer refunds for common ailments and illnesses (e.g., influenza, gastroenteritis, chicken pox, conjunctivitis) or for routine medical procedures such as hospital appointments or pre-planned treatments.

No. Any extra charges at the airport apply in respect of extra services we provide to you in relation to your journey, e.g. checking you in, printing your boarding pass, carrying extra baggage, in line with Ryanair’s General Terms & Conditions of Carriage which you agree to at the time of booking. You may avoid these charges if you check in online, print or download your boarding pass before getting to the airport and adhere to the baggage allowances and size limits which you purchased at the time of booking your flight ticket.

If you think you have been unfairly charged, you can submit a complaint here .

• If you have booked with a partnered OTA, we recommend that you request these services on the Ryanair website up to 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure time. Follow the instructions here to add Special Assistance to an existing booking.
• After this time and up to 12 hours prior to scheduled flight departure, passengers should contact our Special Assistance team (subject to opening hours).
• If you do not provide 48 hours' notice, the required assistance may not be available, and your travel plans may be disrupted.
• In order for an airport to provide pre-booked special assistance, passengers should present themselves at the airport special assistance desk 2 hours before their flight departure time

New ocean acidification maps of U.S. waters

• August 21, 2024
• Download Cover Image

Online dashboard makes it easy to see how chemical changes differ in various locations

Researchers from NOAA have produced a new online dashboard on the National Marine Ecosystem Status website that shows how ocean acidification is impacting eleven different marine ecosystems in the U.S.

These graphs, charts and mapped products, which were also described in a recent paper for Nature Scientific Data , provide a resource to fisheries and natural resource managers and deliver simple snapshots of ecosystem status with respect to ocean acidification.

“The dashboard provides regional context for anyone who wants to know how ocean acidification is progressing in U.S. coastal ecosystems,” said Dr. Jon Sharp, who led the work at the University of Washington Cooperative Institute for Climate Ocean and Ecosystem Studies and NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.

Ocean acidification occurs because our ocean is absorbing an increased amount of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere.

Since the Industrial Revolution, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has increased by almost 50 percent due to human activities like the burning of fossil fuels and land use change. The ocean absorbs about 25 percent of the CO 2 released to the atmosphere causing a fundamental change in the chemistry of the ocean. While the ocean isn’t acidic, the chemical change is increasing the ocean’s acidity enough to impact some marine life and the people who depend on healthy ecosystems.

Ocean acidification can make it difficult for creatures such as oysters and clams to build and maintain shells, made up of calcium carbonate. Acidification also affects other species vital to the marine ecosystem, including reef-building corals and some plankton eaten by fish and whales. The new ocean acidification dashboard shows trends in calcium carbonate saturation state, a measure of the concentration of these mineral building blocks for shells and skeletons.

The new ocean acidification dashboard uses data products created from surface ocean CO 2 observations, gridded observational data products, two machine learning techniques and algorithms trained on a global ocean database of carbonate chemistry measurements. The end result is a suite of maps and graphs that show trends in acidification over time and space for marine ecosystems in U.S. waters.

“There’s a clear overall trend – our coastal waters are increasing in acidity, although there’s some regional variability,” said Sharp. “Areas closer to shore and high-latitude regions are more variable. Low-latitude regions with lots of open ocean, like the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands Region, show more steady changes over time.”

The indicators include pH, CO 2 partial pressure that tells us how much carbon dioxide is in the water, and calcium carbonate saturation states for monthly timesteps from 1998-2022. The sourced data were from the Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) , and funding for this project was provided by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program . Learn more about what we measure for ocean acidification including the variables used as indicators for this public tool.

Media contact: Alison Gillespie, [email protected], (202) 713-6644

Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA issue National Heat Strategy, provide $200K for extreme heat preparedness

Why is the North Pacific warming so fast?

NOAA, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency agree to share ocean exploration data

NOAA and United Airlines partner to measure greenhouse gases, pollutants with high-tech flight instruments

Popup call to action.

A prompt with more information on your call to action.