11 Charts Showing the Changing Nature of U.S. Outbound Travelers’ Trips


Skift Take

Online travel agencies have a lot to worry about these days, and although they're still one of the main booking sources, the higher percentage of U.S. outbound travelers booking directly with airlines and hotels has to have them worried.

Those fighting for the direct bookings camp can add another small victory to their feather caps as more U.S. outbound travelers booked directly with brands rather than online travel agencies last year. Based on data released from the U.S. National Travel and Tourism Office a higher percentage of these travelers book directly with airlines compared to hotels but for both sectors direct bookings outnumber online travel agency bookings. For both sectors, booking directly is also far more popular than using a travel agent. It appears U.S. travelers are also widening their reach in terms of where they travel internationally, not only hopping over to a sunny Carib