Travel agents are set for a quiet year as UK holiday makers are turning to booking their trips online to take advantage of savings, according to direct-travel.co.uk.
Results from a study, conducted by Travelsupermarket, have revealed that only 11 per cent of the public are planning on using travel shops to book holidays in 2012.
On the other hand, the internet will play a bigger part for many looking to travel abroad and hire cars this year, with 66 per cent looking to book travel insurance related breaks through the internet, and 40 per cent planning their summers using travel review sites.
Ever convenient search engines will be used by 52 per cent to browse hotels and destinations, while just 12 per cent are expected to pick up a brochure from a travel agent.
These figures accompany an announcement made by travel giant TUI late last year that they will be closing 200 branches throughout the UK as part of its turnaround plan, despite them claiming: "Another holiday company may be experiencing turbulence but we are in really great shape"
In December 2011 the company's chief executive, Sam Weihagen said that despite all the store closures, the company still had a "very strong presence on the high street."
Weihagen went on to state: "I think there will be a need for shops. You can always discuss how many."