One of the most popular purchased goods on the internet is discount flight tickets, accounting for 24 per cent of online purchases. "The internet is no longer a niche technology - it is mass media and an utterly integral part of modern life. Almost no aspect of life remains untouched by online media," Jonathan Carson, president of Nielsen Online commented.
In the past three months, in the UK one in four internet shoppers also purchased and discount airline tickets or made reservations online.
Mr Carson noted that travel is a category that is "extremely suited" to the internet thanks to the "efficient" access to a wide range of comparable information it offers. It is claimed that the internet plays an integral part in the arrangements of today's holidaymaker.
The expansion of low cost discount airlines has made traditionally hard to reach areas in Spain "very accessible", it has been reported.
According to Primelocation.com, these Spanish holiday areas have been "opened up" by low-cost flights to Spain.
The news comes as British Airways prepares to launch its new short haul flights from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City airports to Malaga and Alicante.
"Barcelona and the Costa Brava region as a whole have become more popular with [Britons] in the last two to three years," Louise Hall, business director of Primelocation.com stated.
Additionally, she noted that Mallorca has experienced "huge popularity" in the past few years among holidaymakers seeking a second home.
A number of new discount flights to popular summer holiday destinations are being launched by British Airways this summer.
Discount flights to Spain - including Malaga and Palma - will be available from Gatwick in summer 2008, the airline has announced.
Additionally, discount flights to Alicante - a popular European summer hotspot - will be launched from the London hub in a matter of months.
"As one of the only short-haul, full service carriers at Gatwick, we combine low fares with complimentary food and drink, pre-allocated seats and the opportunity to join the BA Executive Club," commented British Airways' commercial director Robert Boyle.
Some Britons may be taking discount flights to Spain for medical treatment this summer, after Post Office reported that cosmetic surgery and other treatment attracts 70,000 Britons a year to Spain and other overseas destinations. |
