Wyndham Wisdom

Vacation 2.0

The web has changed the way most of us buy a simple tune, so it should come as no surprise that a big-ticket item like travel is also enjoying something of a technological renaissance. "Eighty-seven percent of U.S. travelers now shop online," says Douglas Quimby, senior director of research for PhoCusWright, which researches online travel.

So these days, having a compelling website and an effective internet strategy is no longer a luxury. The hotel industry has long been at the forefront of online research and booking. Quimby, who recently wrote the report "Vacation Rental Marketplace: Poised for Change," says timeshare resorts are catching up, with expanded websites that help consumers understand what they're getting before they click "purchase."

Hotels and timeshare resorts are presented differently online. "Hotels are like a commodity," says Quimby, "whereas vacation rentals are unique products, with different configurations, furnishings, attributes and the like." And an improved online presence has made it easier to find the perfect timeshare vacation. Are you looking for a unit with a full kitchen? Do you want an urban experience? How much activity do you need? It's all online.

Karen Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for Shell Vacations Hospitality (which manages rentals for a timeshare company), says her company operates just like a traditional hotel company. "We have a sophisticated website with video on each resort," Johnson says. "A dedicated staff works on updating content and photography almost daily."

Besides researching their accommodations, travelers can also go online to find out whatever they need to know about the place they're visiting--weather forecasts, area hiking trails, or special events scheduled to take place during their stay. A good starting point is the website of the destination's convention and visitor bureau. These sites are often packed with useful information. Some, such as orlandoinfo.com, go even further, offering extras like a "deal of the week" and one-on-one trip-planning advice. When we tested one of Orlando's travel counselors, we were impressed by her imaginative picks for our fictional trip.

Savvy travelers heading to more urban locations like Honolulu or Las Vegas can cast a wider net by reading restaurant blogs. These food-obsessed sites offer up-to-the-minute restaurant reviews, alert you to deals and provide advice on getting the most for your dollar.

Even the wildly popular Twitter can be useful. United Airlines now offers short-term special fares via Twitter (dubbed "twares").

The best part is that after all this research, you can lock in your plans right away. You can do almost everything online, from renting a convertible to buying a theme-park package to booking a table at a hot new restaurant. Your next trip is only a few clicks away.