Battle for Tourists. Agents Block Seats on Planes "Just in Case"

A study by Hübner & Kollegen reveals how travel agencies respond to competition from cashback portals. Among 699 agencies surveyed, 36.3% reported placing option bookings after client consultations, while 39.5% do so intentionally to block online sales. This trend arises from a significant loss of clients, with 88.8% of agencies noting that customers often book through cashback sites after consulting traditional agents. The study indicates that option bookings can lead to blocked hotel rooms and flight seats, impacting tour operators' revenue management. Agencies experiencing higher booking losses are more likely to use option bookings. Hübner warns of declining reservations and calls for collaborative efforts to promote the advisory role of agents.