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Online business booking increases

March 30, 2004 |

The world of booking business travel has moved from bricks to clicks. The industry booked about $19 billion online in 2003, and that is expected to double by 2006.

The world of booking business travel has moved from bricks to clicks. The industry booked about $19 billion online in 2003, and that is expected to double by 2006.

In response to demand, the Big Three online travel agencies — Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity — have in the last 18 months introduced their own branded corporate travel agencies. Their clients include such companies as McDonald’s, General Dynamics and Harvard University.

“Travel budgets are being slashed like crazy, but nobody’s lowering sales goals,” said David Cerino, general manager of Orbitz for Business. “More and more companies are asking, ‘How can you help me manage my company?’ “

Increasingly, the answer is online. Nine of 10 companies in the U.S. with managed travel programs were using an online booking tool at the end of 2003, according to a survey by the National Business Travel Assn. and travel research firm PhoCus Wright Inc.

“We provide better prices and lower procurement costs,” said Ellen Keszler, president of Travelocity Business, “while giving the traveler a better travel experience.”

Get the full story at Los Angeles Times

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