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The decline in the proportion of sales through high-street agencies appears is on the increase, according to new industry-wide statistics.

High-street travel agencies have seen a decline to just a 28% share of passenger bookings until the end of June for the second summer running, against a 62% increase for online sales.

This is against a backdrop of tough trading: passenger numbers declined 14% in June compared with the same month last year. Passenger numbers fell 5% in May.

But cumulatively, the figure for summer is down just 0.5% compared with last year.

The figures, back up reports of a decline in fortunes for high-street agents as holidaymakers return to online bookings to save money.

“Since direct sales [online ] really took off with gusto, every year it’s been growing at the expense of the high street.”

Internet sales are widely believed to have taken off around five years ago.

Bad experiences of booking with travel agencies on the high street could be the reason why sales are declining.

The news follows a year of consolidation in major retail estates, a factor which will have added to declines in high-street sales.

More than 250,000 extra passengers have chosen all-inclusive holidays
Accommodation-only bookings up 34%
Almost 200,000 fewer passengers booked self-catering holidays

Destinations

Almost 200,000 extra passengers have booked Turkey holidays
Almost 100,000 extra passengers have booked Egypt holidays
An extra 35,000 passengers have booked US holidays
Passenger numbers to Spain have decreased by 90,000
Passenger numbers to Greece have decreased by 100,000
Passengers numbers to Portugal are down 40,000
Passengers numbers to Tunisia are down 20,000
Passengers numbers to Kenya are down 14,000