More than half of people taking overseas holidays use a travel agent or tour operator to book their travel.
Figures released by Abta show that 52% of those who took a foreign holiday in the last 12 months had booked through an agent or operator.
The 2010 ABTA Consumer Trends survey unveiled at the Travel Convention in Malta showed that 24% booked online with an operator, just 17% used a high street travel agency and 11% booked by telephone with either an agent or operator.
A quarter booked direct with an accommodation provider by phone or internet and 34% direct with a transport provider.
For domestic holidays, 30% dealt through an agent or operator with 59% going direct to the accommodation provider and 17% direct to a transport provider, the study of 2,028 people found.
More than three quarters of people had taken at least one holiday either in the UK or overseas.
A higher percentage, 66%, had holidayed in the UK with 47% going overseas and 36% having taken both a UK and foreign holiday.
Half of foreign holidays were of seven or more nights in duration as opposed to only a quarter of UK breaks.
The economic situation has had an impact but 71% said they had taken the same number of or more foreign holidays with the figure rising to 77% for domestic breaks.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “The last decade has seen an explosion in booking options for the consumer.
“Many of these options also have been embraced by Abta members. Over half of consumers continue to use agents and operators for their foreign holidays as they value the service, protection and standard of product provided.
“These are even more relevant in the current difficult economic climate when people need and value the personal touch and care Abta members offer.”
- More from the Travel Convention at travelweekly.co.uk/tc2010