1996: ONLINE TRAVEL TAKES OFF
Expedia and Travelocity launch their online travel services in the US. Pioneers of the internet phenomenon of "disintermediation" (cutting out the middleman), these sites pave the way for no-frills airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair (which go online in 1998 and 2000 respectively) to sell their services at hitherto unimaginably low prices. The ease, flexibility and cost-effectiveness of internet booking has subsequently brought scores of once exotic locations within financial range of British travellers, transforming local economies around the world.
* Southern Maryland Online opens their cyber doors for business
* Israeli company Mirabilis introduces instant messaging with its ICQ service.
* Yahoo floats. Company value hits $1bn.
* Netscape's share of browser market peaks at 87 per cent. (Internet Explorer has 4 per cent.)
* Tesco begins Tesco Direct service.
* Ebay's AuctionWeb receives its millionth bid and is renamed eBay
