A panel of Wall Street analysts discussed "The Myth, The Magic and The Truth" behind the online travel industry and Forrester Research addressed the ongoing "Battle Between Dot.coms and Dot.corps."

The Wall Street Panel consisted of Robert Lafluer, Bear Sterns and Co. Inc.; Alex Picou, Executive Director of CIBC World Markets; and Jake Fuller, Analyst Lodging Travel, Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette; and was moderated by Adam Steinhauer, Bloomberg News. The analysts assessed the existing travel distribution network and its growth potential over the next 3-4 years.

The panelists predicted that online travel sales will quadruple by 2003 and more than $29 billion of travel products will be sold over the Internet. According to the panel, however, not all travel sites are going to be successful -- 80-90% of travel sites will fail due to poor business models.

"This industry is embryonic -- if you go back a little over a year ago, only one publicly-traded online travel company existed," says Picou. "E-travel has not fit into a neat little box on Wall Street. We are just now beginning to differentiate and recognize the key players."

Earlier in the day, Mary Modahl, Vice President of Marketing, Forrester Research, cited the main differences between traditional companies and "dot coms" and the steps companies have to take to move themselves online today. She separated the Internet consumer into three different categories, "the early adopter", "the mainstream" and "the laggers," and reviewed their demographics and habits when it comes to use of the Internet.

"Dot com companies have advantages such as funding, leadership, low channel conflict, organization and technology skills; however, traditional companies have branding, customer base and physical presence backing them," says Modahl. "Dot com companies have definitely taken the lead but traditional companies can still win."

In addition to these two discussions, Mary Murcott, Vice President, Worldwide Reservations, Budget Rent a Car, sat on a panel addressing eCommerce Strategies and when companies should expand or look for another solution. "It is great to be here presenting," says Murcott. "It was also very interesting to watch Mary Modahl walk through a Web site that targets customers similar to ours as we are a traditional company moving into the dot com space."

Other key players such as Guy Pepper, CEO, ByeByeNow.com, also spoke at eTravelWorld yesterday. He discussed the issues surrounding mergers of online and off line retailers and how they benefit the consumer and promote business development and branding.

The eTravelWorld conference runs through Wednesday, April 19th at the San Francisco Marriott.

eTravelWorld is produced and managed by eMarketWorld, the nation's premier provider of industry-specific Internet conferences and trade shows including @d:tech and eHealthcareWorld. These content-rich programs are targeted at both buyers and sellers in highly transactional environments that promote dynamic networking opportunities. All of eMarketWorld's vertical industry forums target decision-makers who want to maximize their business potential via Internet marketing and e-commerce. While exploring the critical issues facing the rapidly changing and fiercely competitive Internet landscape, eMarketWorld has aggressive plans for more than 50 conferences in 2000. Visit www.emarketworld.com to obtain information on all of eMarketWorld's conferences and trade shows.