Tripology Trend Report Reveals 42 Percent Increase in Consumer Trip Requests - Significant Increase Demonstrates That Many Consumers are Looking to Tr

New York, NY (PRWEB) March 19, 2009 -- Tripology (http://www.tripology.com/), the leading online travel referral service, today announced that recent research finds a marked increase in consumer trip requests submitted in 2009 compared with the end of 2008. The variance of trip requests submitted by consumers online at Tripology.com jumped in January by 42 percent over the end of 2008.

This increase is revealed in Tripology's newly published January Trend Report. Some other findings of the studies include the following:

-- The top five requested cities are Las Vegas, Cancun, Orlando, London and Cabo. It is important to note that New York is now missing from the top five and has dropped to #17 from #4.

-- There was a modest increase in interest in international travel since 11/1/08.

-- The number of days until departure (the amount of time between quote request and beginning of trip) decreased steadily from August through December 2008 but increased significantly in the early part of January 2009.

-- The average MAXIMUM budget amount per person declined since August 2008 from $2,593 pp to $2,441 pp, approximately 6%. Over the same time period, the average MINIMUM budget amount per person dropped more significantly from $1,176 pp to $968 pp, approximately 18%.

"A decrease in the amount consumers are budgeting for travel per person is in line with recent industry trends showing that travel providers and destinations are offering special offers to attract more travelers. It's no secret that travelers are seeking deals and great values," said John T. Peters (http://www.tripology.com/consumer/team/), President and CEO of Tripology. "The good news is that with a 42 percent increase in trip requests received via Tripology.com in 2009 over the end of 2008, many consumers are looking to travel in the next 140 days - just in time to kick-off the summer travel season."

Additionally the Tripology Trend Report reveals the following Tripology.com stats:

-- A significant positive trend continues at Tripology.com for online consumers looking to be connected with offline travel specialists, even through the recession.

-- November 2008 was particularly strong for site entries.

-- January 2009 was particularly strong for actual trip requests.

"Regarding online travel and consumer behavior, the increase we have seen in trip requests clearly reveals a continued trend of consumers seeking to be matched with travel specialists." continued Peters. "Whether consumers are feeling overwhelmed by the experience of searching online as some industry observers claim, or online travel consumers feel empowered by their online travel research as other research findings indicate, our findings demonstrate that, in the end, many travelers are turning to live experts to help them plan and book their trips based on their specific requests - regardless of how they feel about comparison shopping online."

To receive the complete findings of the Tripology Trend Report, please send a request via email to press@tripology.com or direct message @Tripology on Twitter. New Tripology Trend reports will be published bi-monthly.

For additional information about Tripology, visit Tripology.com (http://www.tripology.com/trip/step1/). Travel Specialists can access the company's dedicated agent website at Tripology.com/agent (http://www.tripology.com/agent/) for information on how to become a registered Tripologist.

About Tripology:

Tripology is an interactive travel referral service focused on connecting travelers with qualified and customer-rated travel specialists. Available at no cost to consumers, Tripology utilizes proprietary technology to match traveler requests with travel professionals. The company has received and processed more than 75,000 consumer trip requests since Tripology.com launched in June 2007. Based in New York, NY, Tripology offers travelers the best of both worlds, combining a content-rich online experience with access to knowledgeable travel specialists in their desired destination or type of travel for the personal attention and service they seek. Tripology is a privately held corporation based in New York, NY. Its principal investor is Ascend Venture Group (http://www.tripology.com/consumer/investors/). For more information, visit Tripology.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marlene Oliver, NJC Communications

(305) 491-0512, moliver (at) njccorp (dot) com

Mayra Etayo, NJC Communications

(305) 505-7089, metayo (at) njccorp (dot) com

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