Consumers still like a good old print guidebook when it comes to trip planning and researching holidays according to a study published today.
The World Travel Market 2013 Industry Report shows 55% of UK consumers consulted a guidebook, leaflet or application in the previous 12 months either for pre trip planning or while in resort.
Furthermore, 59% used a printed guidebook on their 2013 summer holiday with 41% purchasing a book and 18% saying they borrowed one from a relative or friend.
While guidebooks were cited as the key resource for holiday research for 14% of UK travellers, reviews services such as TripAdvisor are the favoured resource for 27% of people when planning a break.
Websites, online search, personal experience and travel agents also featured as key influencers for trip planning according to 9% of participants.
Blogs and social media did not fare well in the study and were only cited by 3% as important beaten by traditional travel sections of newspapers and specialist magazines, both 5%.
Surprisingly, personal recommendations were only cited by 18% of respondents in the survey of 1001 consumers, who have all had a seven-night or longer holiday in 2013.
NB: Guidebook image via Shutterstock.