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Online Travel Agents: Four Internet Business Models

The Internet offers a wide range of effective means for developing an electronic infrastructure for information gathering and business transactions for both travellers and suppliers. It is an ideal method for people to source information on travel. It is an essential for travel-related Websites to offer useful, pertinent and easy-to-find information alongside a booking facility if appropriate.

It can be used to fully research a destination, book all aspects of the holiday including travel and communicate others who have the same ideas or have been through similar experiences. It gives travellers an opportunity to compare and contrast everything on offer before they make a purchase.

The information available online is continually being reformatted and presented in a more logical, easy-to-use and read format. The volume of consumers that rely on this information to make travel-related decisions will therefore continue to rise. In addition, features and benefits of using the Internet to research and book holidays are improving and being added to all the time. For example, consumers no longer have to receive printed tickets from the travel operator. They simply print out any information that they require themselves after they receive it automatically via email.

The ‘Net’ has meant that people can now easily plan trips for themselves. This has not only opened up a greater amount of discounts available to the general public, but also given people the fun and enjoyment of planning and booking their own trips.

Prior to the Internet, travel agents were the primary source of information and facilitating bookings within the travel industry. However, the onset of Net popularity has seriously impacted upon the future success of a telephone or face-to-face based travel agency. The Internet now allows individuals the ability to plan and book their own trips. It has revolutionised the travel industry as a whole and instigated a trend away from the customer using a travel agent.

There are four Internet business models that can be applied to the travel industry. The business models and examples of businesses within them are as follows:

1) The merchant model, which brings buyers and sellers together. It could be argued that this model is effectively an online travel agent. Websites in this business model category include Travelocity who have recently purchased LastMinute.com and Expedia – an offshoot from Microsoft.

2) The direct model allows the service provider themselves to deal directly with the general public. First of all, British Airways is the longest established and has a large marketshare and conventional competitive advantage. Secondly, EasyJet have established the Internet as being key to their core competency.

3) The advertising model, providing valuable travel information whilst generating revenue through various adverts. The significant advantage of this model is its low cost base. A website in this business model that provides information on the UK is TREKtheUK.com.

4) The community model is one of the longest established operating models on the Internet without having a history of generating a significant revenue stream. Two websites reviewed that fall into this category are Lonely Planet – based upon the books that have been published for more than thirty years, and VirtualTourist.com – a community of individuals who have a passion for travel.

Although it can be argued that some websites are using a mixture of several business models, it is interesting to acknowledge that just because a business generates the majority of its revenue online, it doesn’t mean that conventional business models can’t be applied to them.

2 Main Reasons To Avail UK Airport Transfers

Traveling to and from UK airport departure is quite a hectic and tiring affair. Often people have to face a lot of difficulty get decenttransport from the airport. Most people are usually in a hurry and don’t have the time to look for comfortable transport options. Airport transfers a great solution to this problem. There are two main reasons for which the airport transfer facility should be availed. One is its benefits and the second it the variety of transport available.1.    Benefits – The UK airport transfers have a number of benefits listed below:o    It Saves TimePre-booking of transport options save a lot of time as you can avoid the harassment of waiting in long queues to purchase tickets. Pick and drop facility as per your requirement is also available under this service. o    Reach your Destination on TimeAirport transfer facilities guarantee that you reach your destination on time, which may not be possible if you keep waiting for taxis or buses at the airport. Punctuality is one of the core benefits of choosingairport transfer options.o    Save MoneyBooking airport transfers in advance can help you to save a lot of money. You can take the advantages of different offers which they provide for booking in advance. There are often promotional offers on taxis, railways, coaches, etc. They offer comfort as well as space, in contrast to other airport transport options. As well as a better service.2.    Variety of Transports – The variety of transports available include private vehicles and taxis, airport coaches or buses, planes, rails, and own car.o    Private Vehicles and TaxisMost of the taxi services have fixed rates. UK airport transfers offer taxi and private vehicle facilities as they are cheaper than taxis and black cabs. If you useany other taxi or cab which doesn?ft fall under the UK airport transfer services, then it might prove very expensive for you. The airport transfer services provide an easy solution to the problem. o    Airport Coaches or BusesAlmost every UK airport transfer will have the facility of airport coaches or buses. But this facility can be usedonly if you stay closer to the airport. Those who live near the airport will find this bus facility a great option to travel, but it is not always convenient if you have heavy luggage to carry which most people do.o    PlanesUK airport transfers also include planes. They are useful for those who need to go to international junctures like Heathrow, Gatwick, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham from local airports. This facility saves a lot of time and helps you to avoid road traffic, but can be expensive.o    RailsAirport transfers in UK also include rail services for those who have to travel long distances. UK airports having rail services include Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow Prestwick, Southampton and Manchester. Can be difficult to change train with heavy luggage, and there are often train delays and cancellations.o    Own CarUK airport transfers also provide airport car parking facilities for those who want a place to park their own car. Advance car parking facilities are available for those who are traveling abroad so that they can keep their vehicle secured and ready for use on return.