Online travel sales increased by as much as 43% from 2002 to 2003 and reached EUR 11.2 billion in the European market in 2003 - or 5.2% of the market (up from EUR 7.8 billion. or 3.7% in 2002). 

 

A further increase of about 29% during 2004 to about EUR 14.4 billion may be expected (6.4% of the market).

The W. European online travel market could reach EUR 20.2 billion or 8.5% of the market by 2006.

The UK accounted for 39% of the European online travel market in 2003, with Germany in second place at 21%.

The intermediaries gained 1.5 percentage points to 36% during 2003, but the direct sellers still account for 64%.

In 2003 the breakdown of the market by type of service was as follows:
· Air travel 57.6%
· Hotels 15.8%
· Package tours 13.3%
· Rail 8.7%
· Rental cars 2.5%
· Other services 2.1%
Air travel dropped its share from 59.2 to 57.6% during 2003, whereas hotels increased their share from 14.4 to 15.8%.
Package tours started slowly regaining online share in 2002, and continued in 2003

Ryanair extend seat sale to 27September 15/09/2004