Delivery companies Investors see delivery services as a potential gold mine. After all, someone has to deliver all of the goods bought online. United Parcel Service, FedEx, the U.S. Postal Service and Airborne Express are cashing in while moving the products from the computer screen to consumers' front doors. Hotel reservation systems Internet bookings are cost savers for hotels. It costs about 10 cents per dollar in revenue to book a reservation over the phone but only 2 cents for an online booking.
Consumers also benefit because there's so much information online about hotels and room prices.
Independent hotels also benefit because the Web makes it easier to compete with the chains. Encyclopedias Encyclopaedia Britannica sales have dropped markedly in recent years, and it has reduced its sales force. In response, the company recently posted its 32-volume set free on an Internet site in hopes of selling advertising. Travel agents Airlines have been posting Internet sales direct to consumers while simultaneously reducing travel agent commissions. In response, travel agents have filed a complaint with the Transportation Department that popular air fare specials discriminate against consumers without computers, many of whom are minorities.