The Internet has become the predominant channel for consumers to search for and buy travel, according to Damian Cook, Founder and CEO of E-Tourism Frontiers. He says 95% of the world’s new constantly connected generation of travellers search for travel information online, 55% buy travel online (up from 45% in 2009) and 65% are influenced by their online community. The number of online tour operators and travel agents is growing, the latter having owned the space for some time through dynamic packaging. All need to have a secure and real-time booking and paying facility; otherwise it impedes their ability to do business.  He says trends among travellers in the new, wired world include:
• People are suffering from a loss of real social skills because of excessive online connectivity. 
• People expect to be responded to immediately. Twitter speaks to this need for immediacy.
• The more friends they have online, the fewer real friends they have in life.
• People use social media as a bragging tool - a good thing for the travel industry.
• The BFF (Best Friend Forever) culture means travellers are constantly connected to social media and they are constantly producing content.
• People find it difficult to change suppliers or websites.
• Travellers expect to get free Internet access. Don’t charge them for it because it will affect their review of your product.
• The Internet is becoming a visual medium and video is a powerful tool to sell your product. The latest Flip camera available in the USA has a USB stick to upload videos on YouTube.
• People want to see an experience, e.g. Australian Tourism launched the ‘My trip in a Minute’ campaign getting travellers to video their own trips and using them as adverts for Australia. 
• Individuals are becoming broadcasters and syndicators and their content goes viral. For example, 56 million people have watched an SA wildlife video titled ‘The Battle of Kruger’ on YouTube.