Thomson and easyJet have made it into the IMRG-Hitwise Hot Shops list.

The list tracks the top 50 UK retailers and is published quarterly.

Thomson came eighth in the chart which is based on July figures while easyJet sneaked in at number 10.

Expedia has fallen one place to number 9.

Outside the top 10 Thomas Cook rose 14 places to 16 and First Choice rose 13 spots to 37.

Travel Republic had slipped out of the top 50 last quarter is back in at number 31.

Other travel brands include Ryanair (12), Lastminute.com (15), The Train Line (34) British Airways (35) and Travelodge UK (44).

Travelrepublic.co.uk managing director Paul Furner said: "We are delighted to have reached the highest position in our history.

"Making position 31 is a major milestone in our development and cements our position as one of the key players in the industry.

“Travelrepublic.co.uk is now more visited than the websites of British Airways and First Choice.

"This has been a turbulent year for the travel industry. However all is not doom and gloom as this latest insight shows."

But Hitwise's director of research, Robin Goad believes the rise of travel companies this quarter is merely an expected seasonal increase.

He added: "Most of the travel companies moved up the rankings this quarter, but this masks an annual decline in traffic to most of the sites.

“The notable exception was The Train line, which is benefiting from the boom in domestic travel and 'staycations'.

“This trend has also proved beneficial to other companies providing cheaper entertainment options, including the cinema chains and LOVEFiLM.”

• Aldi Travel website enters Hitwise top 10 (13 Jan 2009)
• Thomson tops Hitwise chart (7 Jan 2008)