Online travel slowing in the US

Some data in from research group ComScore Networks, outlining the growth of the online retail in the US.

Spending on travel products via the internet increased by 9% period-on-period in the third quarter of 2006 to $18.2 billion, ComScore says.

Non-travel transactions reached $23.1 billion during the same three months, up 23%.

ComScore says, despite the close to double-digit increase for online travel, growth is beginning to slow.

Forecasts for 2006 are $170 billion for online as a whole by year-end, with travel expected to take a $70 billion chunk.

Currently driving the overall growth are consumer goods such as electronics (up 42%), “accessories” (up 32%), sport and fitness (up 29%), software (up 27%) and event tickets (up 22%).

Is the slowing of the online travel sector about to hit the UK?

Kevin May, editor, Travolution