Online travel faces search competition

April 28, 2006 |

Although online travel companies saw strong first-quarter bookings, increasing competition from suppliers and search engines could pressure long-term earnings growth, according to a Merrill Lynch report.

Although online travel companies saw strong first-quarter bookings, increasing competition from suppliers and search engines could pressure long-term earnings growth, according to a Merrill Lynch report.

The research firm maintained a “neutral” outlook on the online travel industry and “neutral” ratings on Expedia and Sabre Holdings.

The analyst estimates that Sabre’s Travelocity’s net revenue rate will increase to 10.3% in the first quarter, while Expedia’s rate will decline to 11.4%.

Unique visitor traffic to online travel sites was down 6% year-over-year on average in the first quarter, with traffic to Orbitz down 16% and Cheaptickets up 1%.

Get the full story at Forbes

Most Popular Articles

10 travel technology predictions revisited
12 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Travel: Weakening demand becomes falling demand
19 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

The disturbing inaccuracy behind Google Analytics
18 Nov, 2008 | Internet Marketing

OTAs feel pinch of weaker demand
13 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Expedia to restructure
18 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Luxury business-traveler segment going away with great speed
19 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

TripAdvisor wants your hotel website
20 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

How much will online travel slow?
13 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Hotels struggle, but guests less so
18 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Back-to-basics marketing tips for today’s challenging economic conditions
27 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Economic Downturn

UK travel industry in for ‘white knuckle ride’ in 2009
01 Dec, 2008 | Online Travel

Strategies for booking hotels on a budget
01 Dec, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Back-to-basics marketing tips for today’s challenging economic conditions
27 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Effective online marketing in a recession
27 Nov, 2008 | Internet Marketing

In tough times for travel business, Europe holds steady
26 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Budgets shrink, and holiday fares follow suit
26 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Hotels: managing in a downturn
26 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Zuji survey with insights on travel in a downturn economy
25 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Travel: Weakening demand becomes falling demand
19 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Luxury business-traveler segment going away with great speed
19 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

Marketers need to adapt to new economic conditions
19 Nov, 2008 | Internet Marketing

Hotels struggle, but guests less so
18 Nov, 2008 | Hospitality Industry

OTAs feel pinch of weaker demand
13 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

Travelport GDS business declines 10% in Q3
13 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

How much will online travel slow?
13 Nov, 2008 | Online Travel

E-Mail Newsletter


Visit our sponsors: