• March 21, 2001

Nielsen//NetRatings today reported that the online travel industry hit $1.2 billion in sales in January, nearly a third of all eCommerce transactions, which were $3.8 billion. This marks a dollar increase of 29% from six months ago when consumers spent $943 million on online travel in August 2000, setting the highest level since monthly surveys began last April.

From last January to January 2001, Nielsen//NetRatings found that online shopping trips to the top five travel sites from work and home jumped 42% to 22 million visits.

"Online travel spending grew 17 percent to more than $1.2 billion in January, while all other forms of consumer eCommerce declined from their hectic holiday levels in December," said Sean Kaldor, VP of eCommerce at NetRatings.

NetRatings also found that Travelocity held the largest share of online travel buyers or 18%, Southwest followed with 14% of all online travel purchasers, Expedia's share was 11% and Priceline (9%) and Delta (8%) rounded out the top five rankings.