With the summer fast approaching, online Web sites like Expedia and Hotwire are becoming increasingly popular for arranging travel plans.

According to a 2005 study by the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), 40 percent of all frequent travelers opt for online booking sites, significantly increasing from 29 percent in 2003.

Before the availability of online booking in the recent decade, travelers often made airline reservations through a travel agent for convenience. With an increased reliance on the Internet however, people now have the opportunity to take control of their own travel plans.

“The Internet has had the biggest effect [on the travel industry],” said Barbara Walker, travel counselor for Carder Travel in DeKalb. “People are able to research and do things on their own and not have to deal with a person in the middle like a travel agent.”

Allen Kay, spokesman for the TIA, attributes the increased presence of online travel sites with ability for travelers to have control over the prices within their traveling plans.

“Not only do you get a good deal when you book online, but you get all the options,” Kay said. “One of the revolutions taking place is that travelers have more control over their travel and booking process. American consumers want to be in the driver’s seat, and with online booking they have it.”

Senior history major Michael Krueger agrees with Kay and takes advantage of many online booking sites.

“It’s the quickest way to compare prices and you can see pictures of the hotel,” Krueger said. “I’d rather do it on my own just so I can be in control of it.”

While many prefer to search online Web sites for travel deals, Walker warns that booking online may not give consumers all the information they need when it comes to making traveling plans, especially when it comes to traveling internationally. She said Web sites don’t offer pertinent information such as passport requirements, hurricane/bad weather seasons, or political turmoil within some countries.

“We offer advice to people,” Walker said. “We offer practical things that we can tell people that they are likely to skip over on a Web site.”