The online travel sector has seen its lowest quarterly growth since January 2009 according to figures from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.
While overall online spend in September saw a 15% increase year-on-year to £5.5 billion, UK consumer spend on online travel increased 4% year-on-year and was down 17% compared with August 2011.
Online travel for the third quarter of this year increased only 2% compared with the same quarter last year, making it the lowest quarterly growth for nearly three years.
IMRG and Capgemini have reduced their original online growth forecast for 2011 down two percentage points to 16% to reflect the slowdown in the rate of growth.
Chris Webster, head of retail consulting and technology at Capgemini says the figures demonstrate a tightening of the belts among consumers who are sidelining high-ticket items in favour of cheaper purchases such as clothes.