The U.S. Department of Transportation investigated Orbitz's plans and decided in April to allow the site to begin operations, but pledged more reviews to ensure that it isn't anti-competitive. Even with Orbitz's imminent kickoff, industry experts say there's still plenty of opportunity for the Internet to nab more business. Just 7 percent of travel services now are purchased online, Punwani said. He predicts that will climb to 14 percent in four years. Like many Internet travel companies, Travelocity hopes to boost its sales by turning ''lookers into bookers'' - industry lingo for the difficult task of persuading Web browsers to complete their purchases online.
People are concerned about giving credit cards online.
David Stendel fits that bill. The Orlando man, who is planning a vacation to Germany and Sweden, is surfing the Internet, buying travel books and inquiring with travel agents about his options. He has researched trips online for years. Usually I book it through an agency because they'd have coupons. Faced with Web competition, travel agencies have had to change or die With more travelers turning to the Internet to buy plane tickets and book hotel rooms, travel agents have seen their business shaken.