Travel Blogs Not Finding Use Among Travelers

TripAdvisor and print guidebooks still rule traveler’s trip planning behavior — at least in the UK — according to a new survey released by World Travel Market as part of the start of the big London trade show today.

More than half (55%) of the 1,001 UK holiday makers polled for the WTM 2013 Industry Report had used a guidebook, leaflet, or app within the previous twelve months as pre-trip research or to use while traveling.

Key Resource for Planning and Going on Holiday

Source: World Travel Market 2013 Industry Report

Not surprisingly TripAdvisor tops them all, favored by 27% of travelers as their most trusted resource. Tourist board websites and guidebooks each polled 14%.

Almost three out of five (59%) travelers used a hard-copy guidebook on their summer holiday in 2013. Two-in-five (41%) purchased their holiday guidebook, while 18% borrowed the book from a friend or relative.

Travel blogs, subject of a lot of hype within the industry, aren’t gaining traction with travelers, with a disappointing 3% describing blogs as their key resource. The travel magazines and the travel sections of the newspapers should be worried as well: They polled at just 5% each.