Online Share of French Travel Market Grows During Downturn

Online Share of French Travel Market Grows During Downturn December 4, 2009 The French online travel market remains stable amidst global economic challenges. According to PhoCusWright's French Online Travel Overview Fifth Edition, online leisure and unmanaged business bookings as a share of the total French travel market will grow from 30% in 2008 to 33% in 2009. Online leisure and unmanaged business bookings are projected to remain flat while the overall travel market contracts by 8.7%. The relative strength of online channels during the global downturn has driven the increase in online travel penetration. "French consumers have adjusted their travel habits in line with the nation's relatively modest recession in 2009 and French suppliers have suffered less than those in other large leisure market destinations like Spain and Italy," states Carroll Rheem, director, research at PhoCusWright. Some sectors are faring better than others as consumers shift their travel patterns. Traditional...