This was up from 5.4 million in 1997. Expedia, the Internet Travel Network, Preview Travel and the Sabre Group. Since Americans make the huge majority of their trips by car, this was a narrower universe than that interviewed by the Travel Industry Association. Further, as Mr. Wolf pointed out, the heaviest use of the Web is for E-mail, and his survey limited its respondents to those who had visited a Web site. A hefty 75 percent say they are not likely to buy anything on line in the near future.
Travel agents are a big reason why travelers resist on-line services.
Too ost of the agents in the Los Angeles class were learning to use the Web as a way to research resorts, spas, ski areas, tours and other suppliers' wares. In many cases, they were acutely aware that their clients had already shopped these Web sites and now wanted corroboration of their choice, or reservations. But some agencies have embraced technology, either setting up their own Web sites or becoming all-electronic agencies that sell on line. Stratton Travel in Oakland, N.J., characterizes itself as a travel management company. It serves 350 clients that are virtually all corporations.