ABSTRACT
This paper examines the effect of Internet-based travel and tourism markets on pre-purchase consumer search. It specifically aims to address the question of whether consumer search in electronic markets is substantially different from search in conventional markets judged by the objectives and amount of search. A self-administered mail survey of 871 subjects provides the empirical basis for the paper. The findings suggest that Internet-based leisure travel markets have, so far, affected pre-purchase consumer search less than has been expected. Online shoppers have not extended pre-purchase search. Further, they seem to advance convenience related objectives instead of attempting to optimize the purchase. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: <docdelivery@haworthpress.com> Website: < https://www.HaworthPress.com" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">https://www.HaworthPress.com > © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
