eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "The report states that a greater number of holidays will be sold through dynamic packaging, with more business sold direct - through the Internet and TV, and over the telephone.
The entire Britannia/Thomson airline fleet will apparently be rebranded Thomsonfly, with more investment in the airline fleet as planes are added and a refurbishment programme is implemented.
'The market has changed significantly over the last few years and it's important that we are in tune with how people buy and travel today,' Peter Rothwell, TUI UK Managing Director has been quoted as saying"
Thursday, September 30, 2004
site59.com Launches the 59th-Minute Dash, a new travel search engine
Travel Commerce Report: Volume 4; Issue 7site59.comsite59.com
Quote: "Site59, a seller of discounted last-minute travel packages online, launches the 59th-Minute Dash, a new search engine and results page that delivers the power of 50 searches in one. The new engine gives consumers maximum choice and flexibility whether they know their exact travel dates and destination or they are open-minded in their planning. When consumers search by date and destination, Site59 works like a personal shopper--not only returning the requested results, but also including relevant alternatives displayed in a new dashboard view. Alternatives include: other dates for the chosen destination, nearby and regional destinations for the chosen dates, and other relevant destinations for the chosen dates based on matching categories such as "Beach," "Big City," and "Golf."
Quote: "Site59, a seller of discounted last-minute travel packages online, launches the 59th-Minute Dash, a new search engine and results page that delivers the power of 50 searches in one. The new engine gives consumers maximum choice and flexibility whether they know their exact travel dates and destination or they are open-minded in their planning. When consumers search by date and destination, Site59 works like a personal shopper--not only returning the requested results, but also including relevant alternatives displayed in a new dashboard view. Alternatives include: other dates for the chosen destination, nearby and regional destinations for the chosen dates, and other relevant destinations for the chosen dates based on matching categories such as "Beach," "Big City," and "Golf."
Chasing The Travel-Search Rainbow - overview of recently launched travel sites
Chasing The Travel-Search Rainbow:
"Amid Cendant's (Quote, Chart) $1.2 billion Orbitz (Quote, Chart) buy, new entrants are rushing to the intersection of the online industry's hottest sectors: travel booking and search.
"It sure is getting crowded," Kevin Lee, CEO of the search engine marketing firm Did-It (http://www.did-it.com), said, referring to the spate of travel search sites that have launched or re-launched in recent weeks.
The proliferation of so much startups happening at the same time as blockbuster deals like Cendant's, begs the question: Will we see even more travel search players jumping in, or is the space full and consolidation about to pick up.
...It's not that hard to create a travel site these days,' Winfield added. 'Right now, it's about being a little different.' "
"Amid Cendant's (Quote, Chart) $1.2 billion Orbitz (Quote, Chart) buy, new entrants are rushing to the intersection of the online industry's hottest sectors: travel booking and search.
"It sure is getting crowded," Kevin Lee, CEO of the search engine marketing firm Did-It (http://www.did-it.com), said, referring to the spate of travel search sites that have launched or re-launched in recent weeks.
The proliferation of so much startups happening at the same time as blockbuster deals like Cendant's, begs the question: Will we see even more travel search players jumping in, or is the space full and consolidation about to pick up.
...It's not that hard to create a travel site these days,' Winfield added. 'Right now, it's about being a little different.' "
Amadeus:: new version Vista browser-based agency desktop Travel Weekly
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "Amadeus previewed a new version of its Vista browser-based agency desktop, a version that will enable agents to combine content from Amadeus and other sources and seamlessly integrate multisourced bookings into one PNR...
Vista 2.2 also is a component of the global technology platform that Radius is creating with Amadeus to make Radius more competitive in the global corporate travel market. Agents can preview Vista 2.2 at www.us.amadeus.com/vista."
Vista 2.2 also is a component of the global technology platform that Radius is creating with Amadeus to make Radius more competitive in the global corporate travel market. Agents can preview Vista 2.2 at www.us.amadeus.com/vista."
Cendant and Orbitz make definitive agreement :: Travel Weekly -
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry :::Quote: "Cendant and Orbitz entered into a definitive agreement where the travel and real estate company will buy Orbitz for some $1.25 billion...
This will "enable Cendant and its online holdings, including Cheap Tickets, to edge out Travelocity in online market share, 22% to 20%, according to Legg Mason. IAC/InterActiveCorp commands 49% of the online travel market"...
Also " may be a major plus for Galileo, although rival Worldspan has a long-term contract with Orbitz. That's because many observers look for a transition from Worldspan to Galileo.
"
This will "enable Cendant and its online holdings, including Cheap Tickets, to edge out Travelocity in online market share, 22% to 20%, according to Legg Mason. IAC/InterActiveCorp commands 49% of the online travel market"...
Also " may be a major plus for Galileo, although rival Worldspan has a long-term contract with Orbitz. That's because many observers look for a transition from Worldspan to Galileo.
"
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Visit London: London TV regional campaign travmedia.com
travmedia.com: "Visit London is to launch an advertising campaign to promote London TV to viewers in major cities in the north of England as well as the capital.
The regional campaign will consist of bus and rail advertising based on three design executions developed by AMVBBDO. The creatives are:
� Live coverage from London you�ll really enjoy. (It doesn�t feature Arsenal).
� After Coronation Street, watch Sloane Street, Bond Street and Knightsbridge.
� Get a life. Watch TV."
The regional campaign will consist of bus and rail advertising based on three design executions developed by AMVBBDO. The creatives are:
� Live coverage from London you�ll really enjoy. (It doesn�t feature Arsenal).
� After Coronation Street, watch Sloane Street, Bond Street and Knightsbridge.
� Get a life. Watch TV."
New Chairman of VisitBritain travmedia.com
travmedia.com: "The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport this morning announced the appointment of Lord Colin Marshall as the new Chairman of VisitBritain. Lord Marshall of Knightsbridge will succeed Sir Michael Lickiss as Chairman on 2 January 2005."
Internet overtakes agency bookings - 29-Sep-04.
Internet overtakes agency bookings - 29-Sep-04.: "More people are now booking through the internet than going to a travel agent, according to a new survey by market research company Mintel.
A poll of 1,300 adults revealed that in the past 12 months, 33 per cent booked holidays through the internet, while 32 per cent visited their travel agent. The other bookings went either direct to a tour operator, through teletext, newspapers and magazines."
A poll of 1,300 adults revealed that in the past 12 months, 33 per cent booked holidays through the internet, while 32 per cent visited their travel agent. The other bookings went either direct to a tour operator, through teletext, newspapers and magazines."
IBM, Amadeus e-Travel, Lufthansa new flight booking and faring eyefortravel.com
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "IBM and e-Travel, the e-commerce business unit of Amadeus, have been chosen by Deutsche Lufthansa AG, one of the world's top airlines, to build and run its new generation Internet portal...IBM and Amadeus e-Travel, together with Lufthansa aim to offer improved service to Lufthansa.com visitors with an intuitive, yet comprehensive booking and faring process.
"The airline will be able to react quickly to market demand at any time, thanks to the built-in flexibility enabled by the new portal," says Dr. Matthias Förster, Global Relationship Partner at IBM Business Consulting Services.
Ian Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing and Managing Director of e-Travel, said "We look forward to working jointly with IBM to provide improved online technology to Lufthansa and their customers. Currently adopted by over 60 airlines, including bmi, Qantas and Air Canada, our proven application service provider (ASP) self-service solutions, including Planitgo Flex Pricer technology allows airlines to improve their conversion and yield levels. Thanks to e-Travel servicing technology, customers are able to rebook online, freeing up call centres and putting the customer in control."
"
"The airline will be able to react quickly to market demand at any time, thanks to the built-in flexibility enabled by the new portal," says Dr. Matthias Förster, Global Relationship Partner at IBM Business Consulting Services.
Ian Wheeler, Vice President, Marketing and Managing Director of e-Travel, said "We look forward to working jointly with IBM to provide improved online technology to Lufthansa and their customers. Currently adopted by over 60 airlines, including bmi, Qantas and Air Canada, our proven application service provider (ASP) self-service solutions, including Planitgo Flex Pricer technology allows airlines to improve their conversion and yield levels. Thanks to e-Travel servicing technology, customers are able to rebook online, freeing up call centres and putting the customer in control."
"
Are travel blogs the big, new travel trend? eyefortravel.com
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "�Companies have been racing to capitalize on the popularity of travel blogs. MyTripJournal.com this week began letting visitors browse other travellers' journals using a more-advanced keyword system. Next month, IgoUgo,com plans to highlight what it deems the best blogs on specific destinations.�
She also says that even the big travel-guidebook companies are getting into the act. Earlier this year Lonely Planet Publications' web site apparently began offering a personal-trip-account tool provided by MyTripJournal.com, and launched blogs written by its guidebook authors on assignment. "
She also says that even the big travel-guidebook companies are getting into the act. Earlier this year Lonely Planet Publications' web site apparently began offering a personal-trip-account tool provided by MyTripJournal.com, and launched blogs written by its guidebook authors on assignment. "
Active Hotels Improve Booking For Disabled Guests : Disability Discrimination Act Compliance travmedia.com
travmedia.com Active Hotels is supporting the National Accessible Scheme (NAS) to ensure that all UK hotels that have been awarded accessibility icons have these clearly displayed on their online brochure page. The NAS, developed by the English Tourism Council, is one of the most widely accepted ways of improving access and quality. It will not guarantee compliance with DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) but provides a nationally recognised rating that shows reasonable steps have been taken to comply with the DDA.
TravelSense.org: ASTA: Partner with IgoUgo : Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "By Nadine Godwin
HONG KONG -- ASTA President Richard Copland said today that ASTA partnered with IgoUgo, a travel blog site, to help bolster an agent-consumer community on TravelSense.org, ASTAs Web site aimed at consumers.
The new functionality, which can be accessed by clicking on the Community button on the sites navigation bar, will join together consumers who love to travel and travel agents who love to sell travel,Copland said. "
HONG KONG -- ASTA President Richard Copland said today that ASTA partnered with IgoUgo, a travel blog site, to help bolster an agent-consumer community on TravelSense.org, ASTAs Web site aimed at consumers.
The new functionality, which can be accessed by clicking on the Community button on the sites navigation bar, will join together consumers who love to travel and travel agents who love to sell travel,Copland said. "
Cendant in talks to buy Orbitz cbs.marketwatch.com
Full story Orbitz shoots up 27% on takeover talks: "If Cendant, which owns Galileo, a computerized reservation system, were to buy Orbitz, it would build upon its online travel business. Cendant purchased Cheap Tickets in August 2001 for $400 million in cash, according to Dealogic. Orbitz could also work with Galileo...
"Orbitz puts a fair number of tickets through Worldspan, and it would be natural that Cendant would move those bookings to the one that they own," said Brian Barth, CEO of Sidestep, a travel site. "
Wed update: eyefortravel.com :
"Cendant, which owns Avis car rental and the Days Inn hotel chain, is close to acquiring Orbitz, online travel service controlled by an alliance of airlines, for about $1.1 billion.
This is according to a report published in the New York Times today, which states that the boards of Cendant and Orbitz were to meet separately last night to approve the sale.
The deal comes at a time when travellers are increasingly turning to Internet bookings, as opposed to using the services of traditional travel agents.
“The airlines started Orbitz in 2000 as a rival to Expedia and online ticketing sites,” says Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times Reporter. “The original investors - including Delta, United, Northwest, Continental and American - hoped to take advantage of the increase in ticket sales over the Internet.”
He adds that the sale of Orbitz will provide a quick, and possibly much needed, injection of cash.
“For the airlines, which control about two-thirds of Orbitz's stock, the transaction is a way to cash out of an investment that has proved to be a big winner - first with its spinoff last year and now with the sale.”
“Orbitz is expected to become the centerpiece of Cendant's online travel businesses, which include CheapTickets.com and Galileo, an electronic travel eservation business that competes with the Sabre reservation system, owned by Sabre Holdings, which also controls Travelocity.com,” explains Sorkin.
Evidently, Cendant hopes to combine Orbitz's reach and its own travel businesses to package deals that include airfare, lodging and car rental, enabling it to offer better fares to consumers and attain higher profit margins.
"Orbitz puts a fair number of tickets through Worldspan, and it would be natural that Cendant would move those bookings to the one that they own," said Brian Barth, CEO of Sidestep, a travel site. "
Wed update: eyefortravel.com :
"Cendant, which owns Avis car rental and the Days Inn hotel chain, is close to acquiring Orbitz, online travel service controlled by an alliance of airlines, for about $1.1 billion.
This is according to a report published in the New York Times today, which states that the boards of Cendant and Orbitz were to meet separately last night to approve the sale.
The deal comes at a time when travellers are increasingly turning to Internet bookings, as opposed to using the services of traditional travel agents.
“The airlines started Orbitz in 2000 as a rival to Expedia and online ticketing sites,” says Andrew Ross Sorkin, New York Times Reporter. “The original investors - including Delta, United, Northwest, Continental and American - hoped to take advantage of the increase in ticket sales over the Internet.”
He adds that the sale of Orbitz will provide a quick, and possibly much needed, injection of cash.
“For the airlines, which control about two-thirds of Orbitz's stock, the transaction is a way to cash out of an investment that has proved to be a big winner - first with its spinoff last year and now with the sale.”
“Orbitz is expected to become the centerpiece of Cendant's online travel businesses, which include CheapTickets.com and Galileo, an electronic travel eservation business that competes with the Sabre reservation system, owned by Sabre Holdings, which also controls Travelocity.com,” explains Sorkin.
Evidently, Cendant hopes to combine Orbitz's reach and its own travel businesses to package deals that include airfare, lodging and car rental, enabling it to offer better fares to consumers and attain higher profit margins.
Tuesday, September 28, 2004
VisitScotland.com defends its loss - 22-Sep-04.
VisitScotland.com defends its loss - 22-Sep-04.: "VisitScotland.com, the website selling accommodation in the country, has posted losses of over �2 million for the past year."
Opodo ventures into Italy - 27-Sep-04.
Opodo ventures into Italy - 27-Sep-04.: "Opodo has made a move into Italy with the takeover of an Italian travel portal.
Amadeus-controlled Opodo has signed a deal to take over operational management of Eviaggi, a Rome-based online agent that sells various travel products including flights, hotels, car hire and package holidays...Eviaggi is Opodo’s fourth European venture, the others being in Germany, France and the UK.
Report by Ginny McGrath"
Amadeus-controlled Opodo has signed a deal to take over operational management of Eviaggi, a Rome-based online agent that sells various travel products including flights, hotels, car hire and package holidays...Eviaggi is Opodo’s fourth European venture, the others being in Germany, France and the UK.
Report by Ginny McGrath"
eyefortravel.com - Sabre, airlines and Getthere special discounts & access
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "Airlines have approached Sabre Holdings about offering special access and discounts to clients of its GetThere corporate self-booking system, regardless of the agency or global distribution system used by clients to support that Sabre now is emphasizing a strategy that 'matches right supplier product with the right consumer in the right channel and at the right price,' said Houser. "
iMedia Connection: Nielsen Reports Increased Travel Site Visits
iMedia Connection: Nielsen Reports Increased Travel Site Visits: "Nielsen//NetRatings announced that traffic to travel-related Web sites increased during the week ending September 19...
Corey Jeffery, Internet analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings says "savvy cross-channel marketing and promotional campaigns attract a lot of attention in a very short time. Capitalizing on these gains in the long term comes down to the fundamentals. In order to succeed in the 2004 holiday travel season and beyond, these companies need to stay focused on making travel planning more convenient, rewarding customers and delivering value..."
Corey Jeffery, Internet analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings says "savvy cross-channel marketing and promotional campaigns attract a lot of attention in a very short time. Capitalizing on these gains in the long term comes down to the fundamentals. In order to succeed in the 2004 holiday travel season and beyond, these companies need to stay focused on making travel planning more convenient, rewarding customers and delivering value..."
Lastminute.com seals Hilton deal - 28-Sep-04.
Lastminute.com seals Hilton deal - 28-Sep-04."Lastminute.com and Hilton International have signed a deal that will give the online operator access to the group’s full inventory. In return, Hilton will be allowed to distribute to Lastminute’s online customer base
Hilton CEO David Michaels said: “Unfortunately some distributors increasingly promote hotels that give them the highest margin, rather than offering full choice to customers. We will cut ties with any distributor that misrepresents our products in any way.”
Hilton CEO David Michaels said: “Unfortunately some distributors increasingly promote hotels that give them the highest margin, rather than offering full choice to customers. We will cut ties with any distributor that misrepresents our products in any way.”
:: Travel Weekly - More details IHG, Expedia, Hotels.com & Travelocity
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::Quote" Asked whether Expedia and Hotels.com will be selling (IHG ) franchisees’ rooms in 2005 and 2006, Young said, “Possibly, but it will be a small number of hotels and at minimum contract conditions, which in most cases will mean a small allocation of rooms and a high minimum rate.”
IHG last month certified Travelocity and ended its relationship with Expedia and Hotels.com over issues including technical interfaces, the disclosure of taxes and fees, displays of “sold out” inventory and trademarks.
An Expedia spokesman said IHG’s new standard isn’t about consumer-protection issues, as IHG has said, but financial issues and margins, and which online player “would take a weaker deal...
We can’t just void the contracts overnight,” McArthur said. “We don’t want to get into a situation with hotel owners ABC, where we get sued for breaching our contract with them.”
McArthur argued that Expedia doesn’t have much flexibility in breaking out taxes and fees, a key IHG demand, on Expedia.com.
“We have contracts with major chains that prohibit breaking out taxes and fees because it’s exposing the cost of goods,” said McArthur.
Expedia officials said the loss of InterContinental inventory will not make a “material” dent in the rooms available on its site.“City by city, where it used to be an IHG brand promoted, you might see another brand,” McArthur said.
InterContinental, meanwhile, is moving on. Young said, “IHG is not in negotiations with Expedia, and we don’t expect to be for some time.” He added that IHG is in talks with “hundreds of other online distributors.”
IHG last month certified Travelocity and ended its relationship with Expedia and Hotels.com over issues including technical interfaces, the disclosure of taxes and fees, displays of “sold out” inventory and trademarks.
An Expedia spokesman said IHG’s new standard isn’t about consumer-protection issues, as IHG has said, but financial issues and margins, and which online player “would take a weaker deal...
We can’t just void the contracts overnight,” McArthur said. “We don’t want to get into a situation with hotel owners ABC, where we get sued for breaching our contract with them.”
McArthur argued that Expedia doesn’t have much flexibility in breaking out taxes and fees, a key IHG demand, on Expedia.com.
“We have contracts with major chains that prohibit breaking out taxes and fees because it’s exposing the cost of goods,” said McArthur.
Expedia officials said the loss of InterContinental inventory will not make a “material” dent in the rooms available on its site.“City by city, where it used to be an IHG brand promoted, you might see another brand,” McArthur said.
InterContinental, meanwhile, is moving on. Young said, “IHG is not in negotiations with Expedia, and we don’t expect to be for some time.” He added that IHG is in talks with “hundreds of other online distributors.”
Saturday, September 25, 2004
BBC NEWS | Technology | Web tool may banish broken links...interesting name for project
BBC NEWS | Technology | Web tool may banish broken links: "Web tool may banish broken links
By Jo Twist BBC News Online science and technology staff " Peridot alerts web administrators not only which links are broken, but also where the original page has gone.
It can also tell which links have changed and the degree of change in content...
The Peridot team were presenting their research to top executives and engineers this week in Amsterdam, along with other intern research project team across five countries.
Peridot is a green gemstone which, legend has it, was used in ancient cultures to help people find what they had lost.
It was also believed to possess mystical powers including helping dreams become a reality, attracting wealth, calming anger, and dispelling negative emotions.
By Jo Twist BBC News Online science and technology staff " Peridot alerts web administrators not only which links are broken, but also where the original page has gone.
It can also tell which links have changed and the degree of change in content...
The Peridot team were presenting their research to top executives and engineers this week in Amsterdam, along with other intern research project team across five countries.
Peridot is a green gemstone which, legend has it, was used in ancient cultures to help people find what they had lost.
It was also believed to possess mystical powers including helping dreams become a reality, attracting wealth, calming anger, and dispelling negative emotions.
GDS alternative eyefortravel.com -
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "By Jay Campbell, Founder of The Beat - A Business Travel Newswire "...
"ITA Software by year-end will produce an alternative to the global distribution systems, executives with ITA and United Airlines revealed Wednesday
"Those who don't have direct connect strategies had better get them," said Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, managing partner with travel e-commerce consulting firm T2Impact. He then called the people sitting in the major GDS companies' headquarters "an endangered species."
GDS firms have been hearing such judgements for years, but the major network carriers have never before been so desperate to alter their business models.
"ITA Software by year-end will produce an alternative to the global distribution systems, executives with ITA and United Airlines revealed Wednesday
"Those who don't have direct connect strategies had better get them," said Timothy O'Neil-Dunne, managing partner with travel e-commerce consulting firm T2Impact. He then called the people sitting in the major GDS companies' headquarters "an endangered species."
GDS firms have been hearing such judgements for years, but the major network carriers have never before been so desperate to alter their business models.
Thursday, September 23, 2004
Worldspan Technologies and Cendant's Galileo International in deal talks? NewsFinder
NewsFinder: "Cendant Corp. (CD) said Wednesday morning that it is not in acquisition talks with Amadeus Global Travel Distribution or its shareholders, responding to a Wall Street Journal report that Worldspan Technologies and Cendant's Galileo International had conducted deal talks. Cendant shares rose 4 cents to $22.51 in morning trading."
Site59 Launches New Search Engine ``The 59th-Minute Dash''; Search Less and Find More
Site59 Launches New Search Engine ``The 59th-Minute Dash''; Search Less and Find More: "Site59, the leading seller of deeply discounted last-minute travel packages online, writes a new page in travel history with today's launch of the 59th-Minute Dash: a powerfully fast new search engine and results page that deliver the power of 50 searches in one. The new engine gives consumers maximum choice and flexibility whether they know their exact travel dates and destination or they are open-minded in their planning...
"Now travelers can see in a glance if staying an extra night will save them money, or if choosing another date or destination will offer them a better value," said Robert Albert, General Manager of Site59, a Travelocity Company"
site59.com
"Now travelers can see in a glance if staying an extra night will save them money, or if choosing another date or destination will offer them a better value," said Robert Albert, General Manager of Site59, a Travelocity Company"
site59.com
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
VisitScotland.com defends its loss - 22-Sep-04.
VisitScotland.com defends its loss - 22-Sep-04.VisitScotland.com is run by a private firm called Etourism.com, which licensed the name from the tourist board.
It raises revenues by taking the 10% deposit paid by holidaymakers that book using the site. In the first few months of launch VisitScotland.com experienced difficulties when B&B owners boycotted the website because they didn’t want to pay the commission.
It raises revenues by taking the 10% deposit paid by holidaymakers that book using the site. In the first few months of launch VisitScotland.com experienced difficulties when B&B owners boycotted the website because they didn’t want to pay the commission.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Study Shows Travelocity Leads Online Pricing Battle against Orbitz, Expedia
Study Shows Travelocity Leads Online Pricing Battle against Orbitz, Expedia: "Study Shows Travelocity Leads Online Pricing Battle against Orbitz, Expedia...
According to a five-month airfare study comparing nearly 140,000 airfares, Travelocity(R) beat or matched Expedia pricing 89 percent of the time and Orbitz 87 percent of the time. In addition, the study found that when Travelocity had the lowest fare, it saved its customers an average of more than $30"
For more information about the Travelocity study, the methodology and the results, visit www.travelocity.com/airfarestudy.
About Travelocity
Travelocity's industry-leading technology and straight-talking, honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable trips. With 44 million registered users and booking nearly $4 billion of travel in 2003, Travelocity negotiates thousands of low-priced deals with the world's most reputable travel providers - top airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other destination attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers deeply-discounted rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also operates Travelocity Business(SM) for corporate customers, powers international travel Web sites in eight languages, and has been recognized for its consumer advocacy and global leadership in online travel. More information about Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (TSG), a world leader in travel commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at www.sabre-holdings.com.
According to a five-month airfare study comparing nearly 140,000 airfares, Travelocity(R) beat or matched Expedia pricing 89 percent of the time and Orbitz 87 percent of the time. In addition, the study found that when Travelocity had the lowest fare, it saved its customers an average of more than $30"
For more information about the Travelocity study, the methodology and the results, visit www.travelocity.com/airfarestudy.
About Travelocity
Travelocity's industry-leading technology and straight-talking, honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable trips. With 44 million registered users and booking nearly $4 billion of travel in 2003, Travelocity negotiates thousands of low-priced deals with the world's most reputable travel providers - top airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other destination attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers deeply-discounted rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also operates Travelocity Business(SM) for corporate customers, powers international travel Web sites in eight languages, and has been recognized for its consumer advocacy and global leadership in online travel. More information about Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (TSG), a world leader in travel commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at www.sabre-holdings.com.
Comp: GDS, airfares ... time for a revolution.....:: Travel Weekly ::
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry :::: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "two major U.S. airlines -- Delta and Continental -- revealed last week that they don�t expect to renew their fare-access deals with the GDSs when the agreements expire.
Most airlines have signed such deals and are locked in until at least late 2005 or sometime in 2006. By deciding not to renew, they could free themselves for a return to the days of Web-only fares or other distribution strategies currently precluded by the contracts....
None of the GDSs detailed what they would do if airlines don’t renew their Web-fare pacts.
“We’re committed to maintaining the level of content we have for our customers, and we’ll continue to work closely with airlines to do so, as we did with DCA 3,” said a Sabre spokesman.
Cendant, parent of Galileo, expressed a similar commitment.“We expect changes to be evolutionary, not revolutionary, and [expect] more customized relationships with suppliers,” said Ken Esterow, executive vice president of supplier services for Cendant Travel Distribution Services.
A spokeswoman for Amadeus North America, which has Web-fare pacts with Continental and Northwest but not Delta, said its competitors’ “one-size-fits-all approach” was a short-term fix. "
Most airlines have signed such deals and are locked in until at least late 2005 or sometime in 2006. By deciding not to renew, they could free themselves for a return to the days of Web-only fares or other distribution strategies currently precluded by the contracts....
None of the GDSs detailed what they would do if airlines don’t renew their Web-fare pacts.
“We’re committed to maintaining the level of content we have for our customers, and we’ll continue to work closely with airlines to do so, as we did with DCA 3,” said a Sabre spokesman.
Cendant, parent of Galileo, expressed a similar commitment.“We expect changes to be evolutionary, not revolutionary, and [expect] more customized relationships with suppliers,” said Ken Esterow, executive vice president of supplier services for Cendant Travel Distribution Services.
A spokeswoman for Amadeus North America, which has Web-fare pacts with Continental and Northwest but not Delta, said its competitors’ “one-size-fits-all approach” was a short-term fix. "
Thursday, September 16, 2004
21stCenturyDistribution report:The next stage of consumer empowerment
The next stage of consumer empowerment is in giving consumers the ability to configure all aspects of their vacation travel needs as an nterrelated whole. For transaction-focused companies the next new levels of giving the customers what they want will be letting consumers select all of their preferences by “self / dynamic packaging”. Today this is still a technological challenge. But interoperability problems are being solved and customer-optimized travel is already available, though in a limited fashion. Pre-packaged vacation offerings will continue to exist but they are already diminishing in their importance in the minds of vacation travel consumers, as they do not offer the desired flexibility of the new varieties. Soon, dynamic packaging capabilities will determine success or failure. The mantra continues to be “give the customers what they want or someone else will.”
The technology challenges of comprehensive dynamic packaging are rapidly becoming thing of the past. It is important to appreciate that the reason that it will come about is because consumers are becoming ready to insist on having these capabilities. It is almost here in the ways that we had envisioned it becoming. Competitive advantage will go to those who are involved in bringing it about, and to those whose information and products are in suitable formats that favor the re-combination of trip components into multiple, flexible itinerary configurations.
The only long-term formula for success is to totally focus on what customers really want and then provide that as well as we are able. The whole travel industry is becoming increasingly customer focused. Wisdom involves seeing the trend of change and then adapting to it rather than opposing it.
Comp: IHG to offer lowest online room rates anywhere on the web"eyefortravel.com
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), global hotel company, is launching a new online booking campaign, which means its customers will benefit from a direct booking facility with a guarantee of the best online room rates promoted anywhere on the web. (9/16/2004)
Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn brands will all be available at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk, which will cater for both leisure and business travellers...
focus on the strapline, ‘wherever you see our hotels, you won’t see them cheaper than at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk’, and the advertising will humorously focus on the widespread location of the company’s hotels, across the UK and worldwide....
The online market is growing rapidly,” comments David Hughes, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Commercial for IHG Europe, Middle East and Africa region. “With over 7.5 million visitors to our current site every month, we were keen to use all key media channels to tell the customer that the best place to book for the best available prices guaranteed is on-line at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk.”
The Internet guarantee from www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk is as follows: ‘If a lower price is found for the same room elsewhere on the Internet, IHG will match it and take a further 10% off’. "
Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Express by Holiday Inn brands will all be available at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk, which will cater for both leisure and business travellers...
focus on the strapline, ‘wherever you see our hotels, you won’t see them cheaper than at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk’, and the advertising will humorously focus on the widespread location of the company’s hotels, across the UK and worldwide....
The online market is growing rapidly,” comments David Hughes, Senior Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Commercial for IHG Europe, Middle East and Africa region. “With over 7.5 million visitors to our current site every month, we were keen to use all key media channels to tell the customer that the best place to book for the best available prices guaranteed is on-line at www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk.”
The Internet guarantee from www.icHotelsGroup.co.uk is as follows: ‘If a lower price is found for the same room elsewhere on the Internet, IHG will match it and take a further 10% off’. "
Comp general: Cost effective dynamic packaging opened up to all operators - 16-Sep-04.
�Cost effective dynamic packaging opened up to all operators� - 16-Sep-04.: "Sales director Richard Bristow said: �Our new system gives tour operators of all sizes the ability to hit back at the rapidly expanding number of internet and call centre operations that are taking business away from them by bringing together different holiday elements and dynamically packing them on the net."
The Tourism Society --TWO UPCOMING EVENTS OF INTEREST
The Tourism Society -- Home: "27th
Travel & Tourism Media Masterclass
Joint Tourism Society & Travmedia
The Berners Hotel, London
More Information and Booking Form
28th
IT & Tourism - What Could the Future Hold?
Tourism Society Cumbria
The Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, Cumbria
More Information and Booking Form
OCTOBER "
Travel & Tourism Media Masterclass
Joint Tourism Society & Travmedia
The Berners Hotel, London
More Information and Booking Form
28th
IT & Tourism - What Could the Future Hold?
Tourism Society Cumbria
The Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, Cumbria
More Information and Booking Form
OCTOBER "
IRELAND to go all-metric Department of Transport:
Department of Transport:ERIN GO METRIC: Motorists beware: Ireland has decided to go all-metric by Jan. 20, replacing roadway speed-limit signs now posted in miles with new ones in kilometers. Confusingly for drivers, road distances have been marked in metrics for years -- alongside speed limits posted in miles-per-hour. At the same time, speed limits on non-national or country roads will be reduced from the current 60 miles per hour (mph) -- or about 100 kilometers-per-hour (kph) in the new parlance -- to 50 mph, or about 80 kph. Full details can be found at the Irish transport department's www.transport.ie Web site.
Cendant to acquire Ramada from Marriott Travel Weekly -
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "Cendant Corp.s Hotel Group signed a non-binding letter of intent with Marriott International to acquire the Ramada International Hotels & Resorts brand"
Ramada encompasses 204 hotels
Ramada encompasses 204 hotels
Fool.com: Room Disservice [Motley Fool Take] September 15, 2004
Fool.com: Room Disservice [Motley Fool Take] September 15, 2004: "Cendant (NYSE: CD) and IAC/InterActive (Nasdaq: IACI) were smooching yesterday"
Incs comments Cendants other deals with distributers ... says of the arrangment " this is great for the wired traveler, it's also pretty sad for the lodging specialists....
I'll never understand why the industry's many lodging operators run bone-dry websites with little to no sticky content. They would rather dump available rooms at dirt-cheap rates through the likes of Priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) and Hotwire than create a magnetic destination that would allow them to move rooms on their terms.
The reason that Travelzoo (Nasdaq: TZOO) has been on a scrutinized tear -- beyond its flimsy float -- is that it has been able to pass off its brokered deals as content.
Rick Munarriz concludes "I'm not naive. I realize that an empty room is a wash. Booked at enough pocket change to cover housekeeping, utilities, and processing fees, a cheap room booked is better than a vacant one. Yet why aren't the chains trying harder to draw users to their virtual front desk where they can charge retail?
Cendant's trying. Running CheapTickets.com is a great way to move some of its surplus room inventory. But the industry still needs a lot to learn. Our own Travel Center is a good place to start. Because content isn't just king -- it's a coatrack away from a king bed, too....
He asks: "Which sites do you use when you need to book a flight or a room fast and at the best rate possible? What would draw you over to a lodging operator's own site? All this and more in the Cheap Air Fares discussion board."
Incs comments Cendants other deals with distributers ... says of the arrangment " this is great for the wired traveler, it's also pretty sad for the lodging specialists....
I'll never understand why the industry's many lodging operators run bone-dry websites with little to no sticky content. They would rather dump available rooms at dirt-cheap rates through the likes of Priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) and Hotwire than create a magnetic destination that would allow them to move rooms on their terms.
The reason that Travelzoo (Nasdaq: TZOO) has been on a scrutinized tear -- beyond its flimsy float -- is that it has been able to pass off its brokered deals as content.
Rick Munarriz concludes "I'm not naive. I realize that an empty room is a wash. Booked at enough pocket change to cover housekeeping, utilities, and processing fees, a cheap room booked is better than a vacant one. Yet why aren't the chains trying harder to draw users to their virtual front desk where they can charge retail?
Cendant's trying. Running CheapTickets.com is a great way to move some of its surplus room inventory. But the industry still needs a lot to learn. Our own Travel Center is a good place to start. Because content isn't just king -- it's a coatrack away from a king bed, too....
He asks: "Which sites do you use when you need to book a flight or a room fast and at the best rate possible? What would draw you over to a lodging operator's own site? All this and more in the Cheap Air Fares discussion board."
Stats: Number Of Online Travel Bookers Continues To Grow USA TRAVELCOM Report Newsletter
Stats: Number Of Online Travel Bookers Continues To Grow USA TRAVELCOM Report Newsletter
TRAVELCOM Report Newsletter: "Nearly 64 million online travelers--30 percent of the U.S. adult population--used the Internet in the past year to get travel and destination information. Of that group, 44.6 million actually booked at least one travel service or product online in the past year. "
...three-quarters of all online travel planners--booked travel over the Internet in the past year, up nearly six percent from one year ago.
...the number of online bookers doing all their travel booking online continues to grow, with 40 percent now doing so, versus 29 percent a year ago
...Airline tickets are the most frequently purchased item
...notable growth in online travel bookers purchasing travel packages (16% vs. 12%)
...effectivness of email campaigns
...and more
TRAVELCOM Report Newsletter: "Nearly 64 million online travelers--30 percent of the U.S. adult population--used the Internet in the past year to get travel and destination information. Of that group, 44.6 million actually booked at least one travel service or product online in the past year. "
...three-quarters of all online travel planners--booked travel over the Internet in the past year, up nearly six percent from one year ago.
...the number of online bookers doing all their travel booking online continues to grow, with 40 percent now doing so, versus 29 percent a year ago
...Airline tickets are the most frequently purchased item
...notable growth in online travel bookers purchasing travel packages (16% vs. 12%)
...effectivness of email campaigns
...and more
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
TUI UK announces new board - 15-Sep-04.
TUI UK announces new board - 15-Sep-04.: "TUI has ousted five directors following a complete restructure of the UK board."
Comp: Expedia, Hotels.com - Cendant to Distribute Rooms Via Expedia and Hotels.com
Cendant's Hotel Group to Distribute Rooms Via Expedia and Hotels.com: "Cendant Corporation's Hotel Group today said it has signed an agreement with Expedia Inc. and Hotels.com to distribute rooms for the more than 6,000 Cendant-franchised Super 8(R), Days Inn(R), Ramada(R), Travelodge(R), Howard Johnson(R), Knights Inn(R), Villager, Wingate Inn(R) and AmeriHost Inn(R) hotels worldwide"
Cendant now has distribution agreements with eight major third-party travel Web sites including Cheaptickets.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz.com Travelocity.com, Travelweb.com and WorldRes.com. "The Expedia relationship advances our rate parity strategy," Strebel said.
Cendant now has distribution agreements with eight major third-party travel Web sites including Cheaptickets.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz.com Travelocity.com, Travelweb.com and WorldRes.com. "The Expedia relationship advances our rate parity strategy," Strebel said.
Review of airfare aggregators..
Aggregate This! Airfare Searching Grows Up...: "new group of aggregator sites "
Comp: Expedia: New Vacation Package Savings Tool
See the Savings: New Vacation Package Savings Tool Illustrates Added Value of Booking Travel Together on Expedia.com:
The Vacation Package Savings Tool is in the top right corner of each vacation package search result that provides savings over booking stand alone. Go to www.expedia.com and choose the "Vacation Packages" tab. Click on "details" to see a cost comparison between booking that trip as a stand alone versus part of a vacation package on Expedia.com. Found the hotel you want but need a different flight? Simply click on "change flight" and browse among other flight options.
Vacation packages can include:
Multiple destinations
Hotel for part of the trip
Partial payments
Expedia have also launched 2 new international Expedia Web sites in France and Italy
All sites features include:
Hotel Rate Calendar: a two-month calendar that shows the range of prices for that particular Expedia(R) Special Rate hotel per day -- darker green days are more expensive; lighter green days are least expensive.
Hotel Room Layout View: A 3D graphical rendering of room'slayout
More Information Know what you're booking - added more virtual tours, photos; property, room, and amenity descriptions
Enhanced Star Ratings: Expedia now has 1/2 stars and a new approach that calculates star ratings based on information from up to 12 different sources (including media coverage, customer feedback,independent rating systems, amenities list, etc.).
Trip Planning: Expedia has destination planning pages for close to 200 cities worldwide, showing travel information and opportunities for that particular area. Includes interactive maps with points-of-interest, local attractions, trip tips, including best times to visit, events, insider tips, weather forecasts and more.
What to Do While You're There: Expedia has added more trip extras or activities that can be booked with any package swimming with dolphins and going on a sunset cruise to helicopter rides, Broadwaytickets, transfers to/from the airport.
1) Average savings amount was calculated by comparing the cost of all two-adult flight + hotel packages booked to Expedia's top 50 destinations in August 2004 against the cost of booking the same flight and hotel room separately on Expedia.com. Because this amount represents average savings, your actual savings could be higher or lower.
The Vacation Package Savings Tool is in the top right corner of each vacation package search result that provides savings over booking stand alone. Go to www.expedia.com and choose the "Vacation Packages" tab. Click on "details" to see a cost comparison between booking that trip as a stand alone versus part of a vacation package on Expedia.com. Found the hotel you want but need a different flight? Simply click on "change flight" and browse among other flight options.
Vacation packages can include:
Multiple destinations
Hotel for part of the trip
Partial payments
Expedia have also launched 2 new international Expedia Web sites in France and Italy
All sites features include:
Hotel Rate Calendar: a two-month calendar that shows the range of prices for that particular Expedia(R) Special Rate hotel per day -- darker green days are more expensive; lighter green days are least expensive.
Hotel Room Layout View: A 3D graphical rendering of room'slayout
More Information Know what you're booking - added more virtual tours, photos; property, room, and amenity descriptions
Enhanced Star Ratings: Expedia now has 1/2 stars and a new approach that calculates star ratings based on information from up to 12 different sources (including media coverage, customer feedback,independent rating systems, amenities list, etc.).
Trip Planning: Expedia has destination planning pages for close to 200 cities worldwide, showing travel information and opportunities for that particular area. Includes interactive maps with points-of-interest, local attractions, trip tips, including best times to visit, events, insider tips, weather forecasts and more.
What to Do While You're There: Expedia has added more trip extras or activities that can be booked with any package swimming with dolphins and going on a sunset cruise to helicopter rides, Broadwaytickets, transfers to/from the airport.
1) Average savings amount was calculated by comparing the cost of all two-adult flight + hotel packages booked to Expedia's top 50 destinations in August 2004 against the cost of booking the same flight and hotel room separately on Expedia.com. Because this amount represents average savings, your actual savings could be higher or lower.
Comp: SideStep Announces Partnership With Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
SideStep Announces Partnership With Wyndham Hotels & Resorts:
WITH:
guaranteed best available rates for all Wyndham properties
bookings qualify for Wyndham ByRequest(R)
Sidestep will drive consumers directly to the hotelier's Web site (www.wyndham.com) to book
WITH:
guaranteed best available rates for all Wyndham properties
bookings qualify for Wyndham ByRequest(R)
Sidestep will drive consumers directly to the hotelier's Web site (www.wyndham.com) to book
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
Galileo launches ‘Best Available Rate’ program Travel Weekly
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "Galileo signed an agreement with several major chains to access their lowest published rates -- whether they offer them online or over the phone -- through the GDS...
Participants include Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, Outrigger Hotels, Kimpton Hotels, Carlson Hospitality, Omni Hotels, Minto Place Hotels, Destinations, WestCoast & Red Lion Hotels and Kempinski Hotels."
Participants include Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, Outrigger Hotels, Kimpton Hotels, Carlson Hospitality, Omni Hotels, Minto Place Hotels, Destinations, WestCoast & Red Lion Hotels and Kempinski Hotels."
Monday, September 13, 2004
Marketing study & refs re travel ocity branding
Marketing: "Rejuvenating the State of Travelocity: Bringing back �the Company that was Online before Online was Cool�"
From travelocity's investor pages Travelocity.com Investor Relations: "Travelocity and McKinney + Silver Launch Roaming Gnome Ad Campaign"
From travelocity's investor pages Travelocity.com Investor Relations: "Travelocity and McKinney + Silver Launch Roaming Gnome Ad Campaign"
GetThere reaches 36,000 European trips a month - 02-Sep-04.
GetThere reaches 36,000 European trips a month - 02-Sep-04.: "GetThere has become the first corporate online travel reservation system to throw some light on the size of the European market for self-booked business travel, revealing that European users of the system booked a record 36,000 trips in July this year. It has also challenged competitors to disclose their own figures. "
Eurostar in �1.4m business travel push - 10-Sep-04.
Eurostar in �1.4m business travel push - 10-Sep-04.: "Eurostar is to spend �1.4 million in a drive to attract business travellers to switch from flights to the high speed train.
The company is to use a character called Mr Jetset in a campaign launched next week designed to challenge perceptions that flying to Paris and Brussels is better than taking the Channel Tunnel passenger rail service...
Eurostar’s UK marketing head Greg Nugent said: "Mr Jetset is the last of a dying breed as most business people are fed up with flying to Paris and Brussels by plane. The airport experience these days is awful, hardly making life easier for a business traveller."
The campaign targets the business sections of newspapers and financial districts of London and will consist of press, poster and taxi adverts. This will be supplemented by direct mail and online activity"
The company is to use a character called Mr Jetset in a campaign launched next week designed to challenge perceptions that flying to Paris and Brussels is better than taking the Channel Tunnel passenger rail service...
Eurostar’s UK marketing head Greg Nugent said: "Mr Jetset is the last of a dying breed as most business people are fed up with flying to Paris and Brussels by plane. The airport experience these days is awful, hardly making life easier for a business traveller."
The campaign targets the business sections of newspapers and financial districts of London and will consist of press, poster and taxi adverts. This will be supplemented by direct mail and online activity"
Delta Air Lines opens bookable UK website. - 10-Sep-04.
Delta Air Lines opens bookable UK website. - 10-Sep-04.: "Delta Air Lines is opening a bookable UK website.
The US carrier, which this week announced the loss of up to 7,000 staff as part of a dramatic cost-cutting exercise, is launching online bookings at www.delta.com/uk.
The site provides access to London and Manchester specific information, special fares and offers, the ability to book tickets, Delta news, frequent flyer enrolment and other tailored travel information."
The US carrier, which this week announced the loss of up to 7,000 staff as part of a dramatic cost-cutting exercise, is launching online bookings at www.delta.com/uk.
The site provides access to London and Manchester specific information, special fares and offers, the ability to book tickets, Delta news, frequent flyer enrolment and other tailored travel information."
Yotel! to rent rooms by the hour - 10-Sep-04.
Yotel! to rent rooms by the hour - 10-Sep-04.: "Simon Woodruffe, the entrepreneur behind the successful Yo! Sushi restaurants, is to launch a chain of hotels that can be booked by the hour.
According to The Independent newspaper, the Yotel! chain will open three properties in London, with plans to expand the brand across the country if it is successful."
According to The Independent newspaper, the Yotel! chain will open three properties in London, with plans to expand the brand across the country if it is successful."
USA buy outs :: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::
USA buy outs :: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::An affiliate of leisure travel conglomerate the Travel Corp. purchased river cruise operator Uniworld for an undisclosed sum.
Uniworld will continue to operate as an “independent and autonomous” company, according to a Travel Corp statement.
The deal confirms rumors afloat in the industry for weeks that the Travel Corp. -- parent company of tour operators such as Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations and Contiki Holidays -- would acquire Encino, Calif.-based Uniworld.
Uniworld will continue to operate as an “independent and autonomous” company, according to a Travel Corp statement.
The deal confirms rumors afloat in the industry for weeks that the Travel Corp. -- parent company of tour operators such as Trafalgar Tours, Insight Vacations and Contiki Holidays -- would acquire Encino, Calif.-based Uniworld.
Tourism Society Consultants Group workshop PR opportunities travmedia.com
travmedia.com: "An innovative new workshop will be touring the UK this October bringing expert guidance to consultants in the tourism industry. The workshop, organised by the Tourism Society Consultants Group, was set up in order to help match the many different areas of expertise in the consultancy world, often with small and solo businesses, with the needs of the vast and fragmented tourism industry. "
List of publications and promotion opportunities The Tourism Society --Advertise
List of publications and promotion opportunities The Tourism Society --Advertise
US Airways again seeks bankruptcy protection
US Airways again seeks bankruptcy protection: "Citing an inability to obtain a further $800 million in wage concessions from its employees, US Airways filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this afternoon, being almost exactly two years since it last filed for Chapter 11, and not quite 18 months since its exit.
Its filing listed $8.8 million in assets and $8.7 million in liabilities."
Its filing listed $8.8 million in assets and $8.7 million in liabilities."
Friday, September 10, 2004
Branding Netimperative - Comment: The big brand battles to come
I reckon the challenge is for TT to carry the brand into text ads ( adwords, search listings etc) from the buzz created by any other campaigns...Netimperative - Comment: The big brand battles to come: "issues both for online publishers to face, and the big consumer brands which are driven not by words but by the intangibles of brand association and trust."
UK tourism breaks records - 09-Sep-04.
UK tourism breaks records - 09-Sep-04.: "Visitor numbers to the UK were up 11% this summer and broke all previous records."
Visit Britain are working on marketing to emerging markets in Russia, China and Poland especially.
Visit Britain are working on marketing to emerging markets in Russia, China and Poland especially.
Ebookers shares soar on word of possible sale
Ebookers shares soar on word of possible sale: "Ebookers, the online travel group that specialises in long-haul flights, yesterday said it was in talks with 'several interested parties' regarding the sale of the group.
Ebookers shares rose 45�p yesterday to close at 230p on the announcement.
Although it was unclear which companies were in talks with Ebookers, Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp, owner of travel sites Expedia and Hotels.com, is seen as a potential candidate.
Sabre Holdings, owner of Travelocity, is another potential buyer...
Lastminute is said to NOT be interested
discussions "are at a very early stage and may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company"."
Ebookers shares rose 45�p yesterday to close at 230p on the announcement.
Although it was unclear which companies were in talks with Ebookers, Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp, owner of travel sites Expedia and Hotels.com, is seen as a potential candidate.
Sabre Holdings, owner of Travelocity, is another potential buyer...
Lastminute is said to NOT be interested
discussions "are at a very early stage and may or may not lead to an offer being made for the company"."
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Articles re Yahoo to test FareChase
Yahoo to test FareChase travel search service | CNET News.com:
Not much more detail:"Available to the general public on Tuesday night, the site is meant to help users find and buy flights on various airlines including America West, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and JetBlue. The site also offers hotel room and car rental bookings."
Yahoo! and the Future of Online Travel: "Yahoo's Farechase allows a person to simultaneously search 150 travel Web sites for the best airfares, hotel rates, and car rental rates. Youssef H. Squali, a Jefferies & Co. analyst, in a research note, calls the new Yahoo service a 'direct assault on pure-play travel sites.'
Yahoo!, of course, has the resources to blow Travelzoo out of the water when it comes to marketing its service. With $5.2 million in cash and $13.6 million in revenue during the first six months of the year, Travelzoo is in no position to get into an advertising spending war with Yahoo!, which had revenue of $1.6 billion last year.
Sure, the Yahoo! service also poses a threat to online travel sites such as Orbitz (ORBZ:Nasdaq - news - research), priceline.com (PCLN:Nasdaq - news - research) and InterActive's (IACI:Nasdaq - news - research) Expedia. But none of those stocks trade anywhere near the inflated valuation of Travelzoo's shares."
John Battelle urges us to consider "John Battelle's Searchblog: "Now, once again, with gusto: what do you think the state of play is between Yahoo and their current travel partner, Travelocity? Rather like Yahoo and Google before Yahoo brought search inhouse?"
Not much more detail:"Available to the general public on Tuesday night, the site is meant to help users find and buy flights on various airlines including America West, American Airlines, Delta Airlines and JetBlue. The site also offers hotel room and car rental bookings."
Yahoo! and the Future of Online Travel: "Yahoo's Farechase allows a person to simultaneously search 150 travel Web sites for the best airfares, hotel rates, and car rental rates. Youssef H. Squali, a Jefferies & Co. analyst, in a research note, calls the new Yahoo service a 'direct assault on pure-play travel sites.'
Yahoo!, of course, has the resources to blow Travelzoo out of the water when it comes to marketing its service. With $5.2 million in cash and $13.6 million in revenue during the first six months of the year, Travelzoo is in no position to get into an advertising spending war with Yahoo!, which had revenue of $1.6 billion last year.
Sure, the Yahoo! service also poses a threat to online travel sites such as Orbitz (ORBZ:Nasdaq - news - research), priceline.com (PCLN:Nasdaq - news - research) and InterActive's (IACI:Nasdaq - news - research) Expedia. But none of those stocks trade anywhere near the inflated valuation of Travelzoo's shares."
John Battelle urges us to consider "John Battelle's Searchblog: "Now, once again, with gusto: what do you think the state of play is between Yahoo and their current travel partner, Travelocity? Rather like Yahoo and Google before Yahoo brought search inhouse?"
Funding & stats USA 'Angel Groups' Provide Funding Option for Business Start-Ups; says Angel Capital Association
'Angel Groups' Provide Funding Option for Business Start-Ups; Focus On Venture Capital An 'Achilles Heel' For Entrepreneurs, says Angel Capital Association: "The latest estimates from the Center for Venture Research show that angels provided $18.1 billion in start-up financing in 2003, up from $15.7 billion in 2002. The Center also estimates that there are between 250,000 and 400,000 active angel investors in the United States, with a projected 1 to 5 million potential angels.
However, as important as the angel sector is to entrepreneurs in financing their businesses, it is largely neglected by researchers.
To address this knowledge gap, ACA is working with the Kauffman Foundation to design a confidential survey of angel groups and individual angels to get insight into regular deal flow in the angel community. A secondary aspect of the research program is to gain greater understanding of the number of individual angel investors in the country, where they are located, and how much they invest, among other things.
'We've heard from many ACA members that developing a robust database is critical for the advancement of the angel field,' said Hudson. 'This data will also be helpful to entrepreneurs, policy makers and the entities that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.'
The Angel Capital Association was formed in January 2004. It is the preeminent North American association of angel investor groups. ACA's mission is to advance angel investing by supporting the development of successful angel groups, sharing best practices and industry data, building public awareness, and establishing professional standards. Currently, 60 angel groups throughout the United States and Canada are members of the organization.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org. "
However, as important as the angel sector is to entrepreneurs in financing their businesses, it is largely neglected by researchers.
To address this knowledge gap, ACA is working with the Kauffman Foundation to design a confidential survey of angel groups and individual angels to get insight into regular deal flow in the angel community. A secondary aspect of the research program is to gain greater understanding of the number of individual angel investors in the country, where they are located, and how much they invest, among other things.
'We've heard from many ACA members that developing a robust database is critical for the advancement of the angel field,' said Hudson. 'This data will also be helpful to entrepreneurs, policy makers and the entities that help entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.'
The Angel Capital Association was formed in January 2004. It is the preeminent North American association of angel investor groups. ACA's mission is to advance angel investing by supporting the development of successful angel groups, sharing best practices and industry data, building public awareness, and establishing professional standards. Currently, 60 angel groups throughout the United States and Canada are members of the organization.
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City works with partners to advance entrepreneurship in America and improve the education of children and youth. The Kauffman Foundation was established in the mid-1960s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman. Information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org. "
Competitor content aquisition... TripAdvisor Forums go Interactive
TripAdvisor Extends Leading Travel Community Website With Interactive Web Forums: "TripAdvisor, the leading travel research site, announced today that it has launched Forums, a free, site-wide feature designed to allow users to post, read and reply directly to fellow travelers' questions and advice. The addition of Forums to TripAdvisor is part of the company's initiative to expand its popular user reviews into unmoderated, interactive discussions.
With an average of 500,000 daily unique users, TripAdvisor is well positioned to allow consumers to leverage the experience and expertise of fellow travelers. With the addition of Forums, TripAdvisor consumers can not only read unbiased articles, guidebooks and user reviews but can also ask fellow travelers questions such as:
"The beachfront rooms here seem a LOT more expensive than the beachview; are they worth the splurge for our honeymoon?"
"Is the bus from Newark airport into midtown New York City safe for two women alone after dark?"
"Do I have to pay or make reservations to run in the running of the bulls in Pamplona?"
An overview of TripAdvisor's Forums can be found at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ForumHome and forums discussions can be accessed throughout the site. Unlike many other message boards, TripAdvisor's Forums let users search by specific city rather than just state or country, making finding answers and posting questions for specific destinations much faster and easier. Currently covering over 15,000 cities worldwide, TripAdvisor provides a wide geographic landscape to explore.
Because TripAdvisor's Forums are also integrated with other content for a particular city, consumers can easily check out a specific hotel or attraction. For example, users researching Playa del Carmen, Mexico, are shown a sample of a recent discussion on the destination and are invited to ask a question or reply with information from their own personal travel experience. If they notice a hotel such as Royal Hideaway Playacar mentioned in the discussion, they can easily click on the Hotels tab for Playa del Carmen to do more research on that particular hotel.
TripAdvisor's Forums are free and easy to use. A simple registration process protects users' privacy and provides security while allowing a user to establish a screen name for use within the community.
"TripAdvisor has a very strong following of users that come to our site and post more than 1,000 reviews daily. These reviews provide fellow travelers first-hand accounts, both good and bad, of recent travel experiences," said Steve Kaufer, CEO of TripAdvisor. "It made perfect sense for us to expand this one way dialogue into interactive Forums. In this manner, consumers can not only read reviews, but can also directly share their travel expertise and discuss specific travel experiences to help each other make smarter travel decisions."
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, Inc. provides a comprehensive travel search engine that helps consumers research their travel plans via the web, and gives them direct access to major online travel suppliers, including Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, hotels.com and American Airlines, for booking upcoming trips. TripAdvisor.com is the 7th most popular travel website worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrix (July, 2004), and has won dozens of awards, including PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites and Forbes Best of the Web. The company also offers travel suppliers a performance-based marketing medium that generates average click-through rates of over 10% per page. TripAdvisor is a wholly owned operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI) and is part of IAC's Local and Media Services Group. For more information, visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/.
SOURCE TripAdvisor "
With an average of 500,000 daily unique users, TripAdvisor is well positioned to allow consumers to leverage the experience and expertise of fellow travelers. With the addition of Forums, TripAdvisor consumers can not only read unbiased articles, guidebooks and user reviews but can also ask fellow travelers questions such as:
"The beachfront rooms here seem a LOT more expensive than the beachview; are they worth the splurge for our honeymoon?"
"Is the bus from Newark airport into midtown New York City safe for two women alone after dark?"
"Do I have to pay or make reservations to run in the running of the bulls in Pamplona?"
An overview of TripAdvisor's Forums can be found at http://www.tripadvisor.com/ForumHome and forums discussions can be accessed throughout the site. Unlike many other message boards, TripAdvisor's Forums let users search by specific city rather than just state or country, making finding answers and posting questions for specific destinations much faster and easier. Currently covering over 15,000 cities worldwide, TripAdvisor provides a wide geographic landscape to explore.
Because TripAdvisor's Forums are also integrated with other content for a particular city, consumers can easily check out a specific hotel or attraction. For example, users researching Playa del Carmen, Mexico, are shown a sample of a recent discussion on the destination and are invited to ask a question or reply with information from their own personal travel experience. If they notice a hotel such as Royal Hideaway Playacar mentioned in the discussion, they can easily click on the Hotels tab for Playa del Carmen to do more research on that particular hotel.
TripAdvisor's Forums are free and easy to use. A simple registration process protects users' privacy and provides security while allowing a user to establish a screen name for use within the community.
"TripAdvisor has a very strong following of users that come to our site and post more than 1,000 reviews daily. These reviews provide fellow travelers first-hand accounts, both good and bad, of recent travel experiences," said Steve Kaufer, CEO of TripAdvisor. "It made perfect sense for us to expand this one way dialogue into interactive Forums. In this manner, consumers can not only read reviews, but can also directly share their travel expertise and discuss specific travel experiences to help each other make smarter travel decisions."
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor, Inc. provides a comprehensive travel search engine that helps consumers research their travel plans via the web, and gives them direct access to major online travel suppliers, including Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, hotels.com and American Airlines, for booking upcoming trips. TripAdvisor.com is the 7th most popular travel website worldwide, according to comScore Media Metrix (July, 2004), and has won dozens of awards, including PC Magazine's Top 100 Web Sites and Forbes Best of the Web. The company also offers travel suppliers a performance-based marketing medium that generates average click-through rates of over 10% per page. TripAdvisor is a wholly owned operating business of IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI) and is part of IAC's Local and Media Services Group. For more information, visit http://www.tripadvisor.com/.
SOURCE TripAdvisor "
Competitor: Article & Link Travelocity's Travel Pro Provides Pointers on Where to Go for Fall Getaways, Whether Going with the Entire Family or Solo
Travelocity are pumping up their content pages and spider food with tips in newletters and online as follows:
Marketwatch.com on Travelocity's Travel Pro:
marketwatch.com reports that Travelocity's travel expert..a person named Amy Ziff provides "inspiration" from an expert individual as opposed to a computer generated list of suggestions ( a la inspirator etc) The Travelocity tips column has PR 6
right hand links to
Click here to e-mail Amy your travel related question...
Catch up with questions other travelers have asked...
Keep up to date with the latest travel information...
Press Releases and more...
Local Secrets, Big Finds
Top 20 Editor's Picks of Travelocity's Local Secrets, Big Finds
Click here...
Tell us your local secret, and win $40 off a Last Minute Deal!
Left hand links to:
Sign-up!
Have the column sent directly to your e-mail each week!
Travelocity Privacy Policy
Search for more travel tips and advice by topic in our archives.
Deals of the week
All have PR 5 to 6 except deals of the week which is a pop-up
Marketwatch.com on Travelocity's Travel Pro:
marketwatch.com reports that Travelocity's travel expert..a person named Amy Ziff provides "inspiration" from an expert individual as opposed to a computer generated list of suggestions ( a la inspirator etc) The Travelocity tips column has PR 6
right hand links to
Click here to e-mail Amy your travel related question...
Catch up with questions other travelers have asked...
Keep up to date with the latest travel information...
Press Releases and more...
Local Secrets, Big Finds
Top 20 Editor's Picks of Travelocity's Local Secrets, Big Finds
Click here...
Tell us your local secret, and win $40 off a Last Minute Deal!
Left hand links to:
Sign-up!
Have the column sent directly to your e-mail each week!
Travelocity Privacy Policy
Search for more travel tips and advice by topic in our archives.
Deals of the week
All have PR 5 to 6 except deals of the week which is a pop-up
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
MSN Search Boston.com / Business / Technology / Microsoft to challenge Google
Boston.com / Business / Technology / Microsoft to challenge Google: "Microsoft to challenge Google"
"Steve Ballmer, president and chief executive of Microsoft Corp., said yesterday that his company is "hell-bent and determined" to challenge Google Inc. for leadership in the Internet search business...
Meanwhile, Ballmer left no doubt that Microsoft has targeted Internet search services for the kind of all-out competitive push that the company once used to seize dominance in Web browser software. Despite Google's popularity, "the search market is still quite fragmented," Ballmer said, and existing tools still generate lots of useless results. Ballmer said Microsoft plans to invent new search technology that will change this, and make life more difficult for Google and other rivals."
"Steve Ballmer, president and chief executive of Microsoft Corp., said yesterday that his company is "hell-bent and determined" to challenge Google Inc. for leadership in the Internet search business...
Meanwhile, Ballmer left no doubt that Microsoft has targeted Internet search services for the kind of all-out competitive push that the company once used to seize dominance in Web browser software. Despite Google's popularity, "the search market is still quite fragmented," Ballmer said, and existing tools still generate lots of useless results. Ballmer said Microsoft plans to invent new search technology that will change this, and make life more difficult for Google and other rivals."
Yahoo FareChase Beta Release - Searching the Internet for Travel!
FareChase - Searching the Internet for Travel!:
Page copy:
HP
"We search, you travel.Whether you are looking for flights, hotels or rental cars, we search more than 50 internet travel websites so you can find the trip you want at the price you want.
Save time- We do the work for you. With one search, FareChase shows you deals from many of the Web's largest and most popular travel sites so you can easily compare options and quickly find the trip that fits you best.
Save Money- We'll bring you back the best deals from more than 50 sites and make comparison a snap.
Feel Confident- With FareChase you can feel confident that with one search, you've shopped around hundreds of sites for the best price for the trip you want. When you're ready to book, we display the provider's site so you can make your purchase directly.
We're continuously improving FareChase to make it the best travel search engine.
We'd love your suggestions as to how we can make it even better. Tell us what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions - Enterprise Solutions - Information for Travel Sites "
Information for Travel Sites
FareChase - Searching the Internet for Travel!
Information For Travel SitesRequests To Be Added To Farechase
Yahoo! seeks to ensure that Farechase is as comprehensive as possible. For any travel site that would like to be listed in FareChase, please contact us at mbariel@yahoo-inc.com. We will evaluate your request and respond as quickly as possible.
Requests For Removal From Farechaser
If you are a travel site currently listed in the FareChase results and wish to be removed, please contact us at mbariel@yahoo-inc.com. We will respond to your request as quickly as possible.
Page copy:
HP
"We search, you travel.Whether you are looking for flights, hotels or rental cars, we search more than 50 internet travel websites so you can find the trip you want at the price you want.
Save time- We do the work for you. With one search, FareChase shows you deals from many of the Web's largest and most popular travel sites so you can easily compare options and quickly find the trip that fits you best.
Save Money- We'll bring you back the best deals from more than 50 sites and make comparison a snap.
Feel Confident- With FareChase you can feel confident that with one search, you've shopped around hundreds of sites for the best price for the trip you want. When you're ready to book, we display the provider's site so you can make your purchase directly.
We're continuously improving FareChase to make it the best travel search engine.
We'd love your suggestions as to how we can make it even better. Tell us what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions - Enterprise Solutions - Information for Travel Sites "
Information for Travel Sites
FareChase - Searching the Internet for Travel!
Information For Travel SitesRequests To Be Added To Farechase
Yahoo! seeks to ensure that Farechase is as comprehensive as possible. For any travel site that would like to be listed in FareChase, please contact us at mbariel@yahoo-inc.com. We will evaluate your request and respond as quickly as possible.
Requests For Removal From Farechaser
If you are a travel site currently listed in the FareChase results and wish to be removed, please contact us at mbariel@yahoo-inc.com. We will respond to your request as quickly as possible.
HBS Working Knowledge: Innovation: The Innovator's Battle Plan
Great firms can be undone by disruptors who analyze and exploit an incumbent’s strengths and motivations. From Clayton Christensen’s new book Seeing What’s Next.HBS Working Knowledge: Innovation: The Innovator's Battle Plan: "Cramming is like trying to stuff a square peg into a round hole. What signs indicate that cramming is occurring? When companies spend a lot of money fixing product deficiencies, they may be cramming. Large charges or expenses to integrate an acquisition are a good tip-off. Another sign is when companies must convince customers to change their behavior or put up with something they don't seem to want.
For example, Kodak first began to sense that digital imaging might pose a threat to its core business in the mid-1990s. It invested more than $2 billion in research and development. However, it framed the challenge as, 'How do we make digital imaging good enough to serve as a viable replacement to silver halide film in our core market?' By seeking to create high-priced, performance-competitive digital products, Kodak missed much of the disruptive growth driven by inexpensive digital imaging. Kodak eventually established a strong market share after introducing a very low-cost camera, but only after spending $2 billion trying to maximize its cameras' performance.10
The result of asymmetric battles often is the seemingly sudden end of a great firm.
Cramming happens all the time. It is almost never successful. It costs a lot of money and usually ends with disappointing results. Cramming explains why so many disruptive innovations originate from within incumbents but are ultimately commercialized by separate organizations."
For example, Kodak first began to sense that digital imaging might pose a threat to its core business in the mid-1990s. It invested more than $2 billion in research and development. However, it framed the challenge as, 'How do we make digital imaging good enough to serve as a viable replacement to silver halide film in our core market?' By seeking to create high-priced, performance-competitive digital products, Kodak missed much of the disruptive growth driven by inexpensive digital imaging. Kodak eventually established a strong market share after introducing a very low-cost camera, but only after spending $2 billion trying to maximize its cameras' performance.10
The result of asymmetric battles often is the seemingly sudden end of a great firm.
Cramming happens all the time. It is almost never successful. It costs a lot of money and usually ends with disappointing results. Cramming explains why so many disruptive innovations originate from within incumbents but are ultimately commercialized by separate organizations."
Travelweb Reaches 1 Million Bookings: Founded by hotel chains, owned by Priceline
Travelweb Reaches 1 Million Bookings Milestone For Hotels Service: "Travelweb Reaches 1 Million Bookings Milestone For Hotels"
Travelweb was founded by a group that included five of the nation's largest hotel chains - Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott and Starwood. Today, Travelweb offers specially negotiated, published-price rates for more than 13,000 hotel properties (including its founding partners) in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Travelweb.com Web site also offers a full lineup of airline tickets, rental cars and vacation packages through links to priceline.com. Priceline.com acquired majority ownership in Travelweb.com in 2004.
Travelweb hotel rooms can be booked through www.travelweb.com, www.lowestfare.com and other participating distributors.
About priceline.com
Priceline.com is a travel service that offers leisure airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. Priceline.com also has a personal finance service that offers home mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans through an independent licensee. Priceline.com operates the retail travel Web sites Travelweb.com, Lowestfare.com, Rentalcars.com and Breezenet.com. Priceline.com licenses its business model to independent licensees, including pricelinemortgage and certain international licensees.
Travelweb was founded by a group that included five of the nation's largest hotel chains - Hilton, Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott and Starwood. Today, Travelweb offers specially negotiated, published-price rates for more than 13,000 hotel properties (including its founding partners) in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Travelweb.com Web site also offers a full lineup of airline tickets, rental cars and vacation packages through links to priceline.com. Priceline.com acquired majority ownership in Travelweb.com in 2004.
Travelweb hotel rooms can be booked through www.travelweb.com, www.lowestfare.com and other participating distributors.
About priceline.com
Priceline.com is a travel service that offers leisure airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, vacation packages and cruises. Priceline.com also has a personal finance service that offers home mortgages, refinancing and home equity loans through an independent licensee. Priceline.com operates the retail travel Web sites Travelweb.com, Lowestfare.com, Rentalcars.com and Breezenet.com. Priceline.com licenses its business model to independent licensees, including pricelinemortgage and certain international licensees.
Travel Savvy Magazine Celebrates One Year With 'Best of' Awards
Travel Savvy Magazine Celebrates One Year With Inaugural 'Best of' Awards: "Travel Savvy "
Travel Savvy is a travel lifestyle magazine that covers international and domestic destinations, fashion, design, food, travel news and celebrity travel trends. According to data recently compiled by Virginia-based D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Travel Savvy couldn't have picked a better time to make its debut. DKSA reports that Generation X, Travel Savvy's core readership, is fast becoming the travel and lodging industry's most critical target market. Generation X is responsible for two thirds (65.0%) of the leisure hotel rooms/nights increase since 2001.
Visit Travel Savvy online
Travel Savvy is a travel lifestyle magazine that covers international and domestic destinations, fashion, design, food, travel news and celebrity travel trends. According to data recently compiled by Virginia-based D.K. Shifflet & Associates, Travel Savvy couldn't have picked a better time to make its debut. DKSA reports that Generation X, Travel Savvy's core readership, is fast becoming the travel and lodging industry's most critical target market. Generation X is responsible for two thirds (65.0%) of the leisure hotel rooms/nights increase since 2001.
Visit Travel Savvy online
Expedia Hotels.com more distribution deals Travel Weekly -
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "Destination Hotels & Resorts is the latest hotel firm to sign a distribution deal with Expedia and Hotels.com. Over the past several weeks, Wyndham International agreed to give Expedia and Hotels.com access to inventory at 130 Wyndham and Summerfield Suites properties in North America, as did Omni Hotels.
In August, Expedia and Hotels.com were unable to reach a distribution accord with Intercontinental Hotels Group, which severed ties with the sites."
In August, Expedia and Hotels.com were unable to reach a distribution accord with Intercontinental Hotels Group, which severed ties with the sites."
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
FLIGHTS SEARCH STATS eyefortravel.com -
eyefortravel.com -
"Travelsupermarket.com, a comprehensive website in the UK offering flight information, has analysed a year’s worth of data from flights browsed and bought on Travelsupermarket.com. The data has been gathered over a 12 month period from users regularly accessing the flight search...
The data reveals that UK users spend most of their time trying to get away from the bad English weather by shopping for cheap flights to sunny destinations. Around 39% of all flight searches are to sunny European destinations, with seven of the top 10 most searched destinations in Spain.
Sean Thweny, Director of Travelsupermarket.com, says that the demand for cheap get-away deals in the sun is reflected in usage of the flight finder...
Travelsupermarket.com Fast Facts: [August 2003 – August 2004]
Total number of flight searches: 1,879, 817
Average number of flight searches per user: 2
Ratio of return flights to single flights: 15 : 1
Average duration of holiday search (length of time on holiday): 9 Days
Average flight departure time booked: (search for anytime – 84.7%) 10.30am
Average flight return time booked: (search for anytime – 87.5%) 6.30pm
Average cost of flight’s purchased - Short Haul: £130 Long Haul: £280
Top Ten Flights Browsed / Bought:
Malaga 6. Orlando
Alicante 7. Barcelona
Faro 8. Lamaca
Majorca 9. Pafos
Tenerife 10. Ibiza
Top Destination Risers: Athens
Top Destination Fallers: Lisbon"
"Travelsupermarket.com, a comprehensive website in the UK offering flight information, has analysed a year’s worth of data from flights browsed and bought on Travelsupermarket.com. The data has been gathered over a 12 month period from users regularly accessing the flight search...
The data reveals that UK users spend most of their time trying to get away from the bad English weather by shopping for cheap flights to sunny destinations. Around 39% of all flight searches are to sunny European destinations, with seven of the top 10 most searched destinations in Spain.
Sean Thweny, Director of Travelsupermarket.com, says that the demand for cheap get-away deals in the sun is reflected in usage of the flight finder...
Travelsupermarket.com Fast Facts: [August 2003 – August 2004]
Total number of flight searches: 1,879, 817
Average number of flight searches per user: 2
Ratio of return flights to single flights: 15 : 1
Average duration of holiday search (length of time on holiday): 9 Days
Average flight departure time booked: (search for anytime – 84.7%) 10.30am
Average flight return time booked: (search for anytime – 87.5%) 6.30pm
Average cost of flight’s purchased - Short Haul: £130 Long Haul: £280
Top Ten Flights Browsed / Bought:
Malaga 6. Orlando
Alicante 7. Barcelona
Faro 8. Lamaca
Majorca 9. Pafos
Tenerife 10. Ibiza
Top Destination Risers: Athens
Top Destination Fallers: Lisbon"
Hitwise United States List Top 10 Global "Travel - Agencies" eyefortravel.com -
eyefortravel.com - Travel Distribution News, Events and Analysis: "Hitwise United States List"
1. Expedia.com http://www.expedia.com
2. Travelocity.com http://www.travelocity.com
3. Orbitz http://www.orbitz.com
4. Cheap Tickets http://www.cheaptickets.com
5. Hotwire http://www.hotwire.com
6. Yahoo! Travel http://travel.yahoo.com
7. ITN.net http://www.itn.net
8. Priceline.com http://www.priceline.com
9. VipFares http://www.vipfares.com
10. Vacations To Go http://www.vacationstogo.com
1. Expedia.com http://www.expedia.com
2. Travelocity.com http://www.travelocity.com
3. Orbitz http://www.orbitz.com
4. Cheap Tickets http://www.cheaptickets.com
5. Hotwire http://www.hotwire.com
6. Yahoo! Travel http://travel.yahoo.com
7. ITN.net http://www.itn.net
8. Priceline.com http://www.priceline.com
9. VipFares http://www.vipfares.com
10. Vacations To Go http://www.vacationstogo.com
Flights: Update on new flights commision/fees system
Update on new flights commision/fees system
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "European agents take stock of net-fare system sweeping Continent "
Airlines are eliminating commissions but are adding substantial fees for consumers who book directly with the airline.
Andrew Compart's article states that "it is a system, it seems, that is destined to spread throughout Europe, if not elsewhere -- in part because fair competition laws in European countries often force a country’s dominant airline to adopt fees if they eliminate commissions."
:: Travel Weekly - The National Newspaper of the Travel Industry ::: "European agents take stock of net-fare system sweeping Continent "
Airlines are eliminating commissions but are adding substantial fees for consumers who book directly with the airline.
Andrew Compart's article states that "it is a system, it seems, that is destined to spread throughout Europe, if not elsewhere -- in part because fair competition laws in European countries often force a country’s dominant airline to adopt fees if they eliminate commissions."
Monday, September 06, 2004
Do Online Travel Sites Offer a Steal, or Just a Deal?
Do Online Travel Sites Offer a Steal, or Just a Deal?: "43% anticipate using 3rd party websites to book hotel rooms"
A recent survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 91% of US adults polled preferred to comparison shop different hotel brands when looking to book a room.
The survey was conducted for Orbitz, which along with Expedia, Travelocity, TravelWeb, Hotels.com and others, offers consumers hotel booking as well as other travel planning functions. Although consumers overwhelmingly indicated their desire to compare prices, not all said they would do so through third-party Web sites.
A majority of respondents did feel that these sites offer better deals. About one-half of respondents felt that online travel sites offer the best chance for the least expensive room, about twice the number who think the same thing about calling hotels directly or booking through hotel Web sites.
A recent survey by Harris Interactive revealed that 91% of US adults polled preferred to comparison shop different hotel brands when looking to book a room.
The survey was conducted for Orbitz, which along with Expedia, Travelocity, TravelWeb, Hotels.com and others, offers consumers hotel booking as well as other travel planning functions. Although consumers overwhelmingly indicated their desire to compare prices, not all said they would do so through third-party Web sites.
A majority of respondents did feel that these sites offer better deals. About one-half of respondents felt that online travel sites offer the best chance for the least expensive room, about twice the number who think the same thing about calling hotels directly or booking through hotel Web sites.
Netimperative - Top 10: Travel sites
Netimperative - Top 10: Travel sites: "Top 10: Travel sites"
Top 10 travel sites by market share for the week ending 21st August 2004, according to Hitwise.
Multimap.com (4.09%)
lastminute.com (2.85%)
easyJet (2.49%)
Expedia.co.uk (2.29%)
National Rail (2.08%)
The Automobile Association UK (1.86%)
RyanAir.com (1.62%)
Streetmap.co.uk (1.49%)
British Airways (1.41%)
MyTravel UK (1.28%)
Analysis:
In July, visits to travel related websites represented 5% of all online visits (one in 20 visits), compared with one in 25 visits in January 2004. This correlates with forecasts published in the Hitwise Travel Report earlier this year, which estimated the sector would reach 5% of all online visits by August 2004. Hitwise explains that between June and July 2004, visits to sites within the travel sector grew by 18%, compared with only a 3.7% growth that occurred between May and June. During the first two weeks of Euro 2004 (weeks ending 12 and 19 July), visits to the travel category actually decreased, indicating that people decided to defer booking holidays until the end of Euro 2004. The uplift in visits to the category which occurred in July suggests that consumers have instead taken advantage of late holiday deals, with traffic to the travel sector peaking in the week ending 24 July and reaching 5.09% of visits. Hitwise data further reveals that average session duration on a travel website has also increased in the last two months, up from 5 minutes and 50 seconds in June to 6 minutes and 7 seconds in August.
Top 10 travel sites by market share for the week ending 21st August 2004, according to Hitwise.
Multimap.com (4.09%)
lastminute.com (2.85%)
easyJet (2.49%)
Expedia.co.uk (2.29%)
National Rail (2.08%)
The Automobile Association UK (1.86%)
RyanAir.com (1.62%)
Streetmap.co.uk (1.49%)
British Airways (1.41%)
MyTravel UK (1.28%)
Analysis:
In July, visits to travel related websites represented 5% of all online visits (one in 20 visits), compared with one in 25 visits in January 2004. This correlates with forecasts published in the Hitwise Travel Report earlier this year, which estimated the sector would reach 5% of all online visits by August 2004. Hitwise explains that between June and July 2004, visits to sites within the travel sector grew by 18%, compared with only a 3.7% growth that occurred between May and June. During the first two weeks of Euro 2004 (weeks ending 12 and 19 July), visits to the travel category actually decreased, indicating that people decided to defer booking holidays until the end of Euro 2004. The uplift in visits to the category which occurred in July suggests that consumers have instead taken advantage of late holiday deals, with traffic to the travel sector peaking in the week ending 24 July and reaching 5.09% of visits. Hitwise data further reveals that average session duration on a travel website has also increased in the last two months, up from 5 minutes and 50 seconds in June to 6 minutes and 7 seconds in August.
Ex-Orbitz star creates his own ticket system
Full article: Ex-Orbitz star creates his own ticket system
Alex Zoghlin and online travel agency Orbitz Inc. parted ways last year, but their paths are converging again.
The 34-year-old tech wiz and his former employer both want a slice of a big opportunity in the air travel business: ticket distribution. Mr. Zoghlin, who stepped down as chief technology officer at Orbitz in April 2003 after designing its online ticketing system, launched a company this year that offers airlines a cheaper way to sell tickets to travel agents.
G2 Switchworks Corp., Mr. Zoghlin's company that was announced two weeks ago, has signed eight airlines, including United and American airlines, to sell tickets through its system. The announcement came three weeks after Orbitz disclosed plans to offer small travel agencies a direct connection to carriers over its Supplier Link system.
To Orbitz and G2, the time looks ripe to attack the stronghold of four large global distribution systems that act as middlemen between carriers and travel agencies. Big airlines buffeted by discounters want to cut costs, and the fat fees the systems charge carriers make an inviting target.
Both Orbitz and G2 offer steep discounts on the standard global distribution systems fee of $12.50 per ticket, but Mr. Zoghlin undercuts Orbitz's $4 charge by a dollar. For now, the two companies say they're not competing: G2's offering is aimed primarily at larger travel agencies, while Orbitz is after smaller shops.
But Mr. Zoghlin took an apparent swipe at his old company in the press release announcing G2's new airline partners: "G2 is a privately funded independent company that does not compete with its agency customers by operating an online or offline agency," the press release reads. Several big carriers, including United and American, own big stakes in Orbitz, which, like other online travel Web sites, competes with travel agencies for retail customers.
Orbitz, for its part, isn't ceding the large-agency market to Mr. Zoghlin.
"We are very well-positioned, should we decide to enter the market in the (large) travel agency channel, with existing technology no one else has today," says Steve Tracas, president of the Orbitz for Business unit of the Chicago-based company. He emphasizes Orbitz's technological head start with Supplier Link, a system up and running in the retail travel market for two years.
But G2 has advantages of its own. Its $1-per-ticket price edge, multiplied over the millions of tickets big airlines sell, represents significant savings for the carriers. And travel agencies may be more comfortable doing business with G2, because it doesn't compete with them in the retail market.
Subsidizing the competition
"The agency that books through Orbitz is sitting there saying, 'I just subsidized my competitor,' " says travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt at Forrester Research Inc. in San Francisco. G2 is "probably going to do a better job at this than Orbitz could do, because Orbitz is torn between running the travel agency business and the tech division."
Mr. Zoghlin says G2's technology allows large travel agencies to operate more efficiently and save money.
"Nobody else has rethought any of this (global distribution systems) business logic for 30 years — Orbitz or anybody else," Mr. Zoghlin says. "We provide them a completely new world."
G2's toughest task may be weaning big agencies away from the global distribution systems, which rebate a big chunk of their fees to the agencies. But Mr. Harteveldt warns that those fees are likely to shrink anyway, when airline contracts with global distribution systems begin to expire in 2005 and the carriers demand deep price cuts. United officials last week said they planned to cut their distribution costs by $120 million annually. A spokeswoman declined to provide details.
"Agencies need to learn that their clients, and not the supplier (airlines), need to be the ones who provide them with their revenue," Mr. Harteveldt says.
©2004 by Crain Communications Inc.
Alex Zoghlin and online travel agency Orbitz Inc. parted ways last year, but their paths are converging again.
The 34-year-old tech wiz and his former employer both want a slice of a big opportunity in the air travel business: ticket distribution. Mr. Zoghlin, who stepped down as chief technology officer at Orbitz in April 2003 after designing its online ticketing system, launched a company this year that offers airlines a cheaper way to sell tickets to travel agents.
G2 Switchworks Corp., Mr. Zoghlin's company that was announced two weeks ago, has signed eight airlines, including United and American airlines, to sell tickets through its system. The announcement came three weeks after Orbitz disclosed plans to offer small travel agencies a direct connection to carriers over its Supplier Link system.
To Orbitz and G2, the time looks ripe to attack the stronghold of four large global distribution systems that act as middlemen between carriers and travel agencies. Big airlines buffeted by discounters want to cut costs, and the fat fees the systems charge carriers make an inviting target.
Both Orbitz and G2 offer steep discounts on the standard global distribution systems fee of $12.50 per ticket, but Mr. Zoghlin undercuts Orbitz's $4 charge by a dollar. For now, the two companies say they're not competing: G2's offering is aimed primarily at larger travel agencies, while Orbitz is after smaller shops.
But Mr. Zoghlin took an apparent swipe at his old company in the press release announcing G2's new airline partners: "G2 is a privately funded independent company that does not compete with its agency customers by operating an online or offline agency," the press release reads. Several big carriers, including United and American, own big stakes in Orbitz, which, like other online travel Web sites, competes with travel agencies for retail customers.
Orbitz, for its part, isn't ceding the large-agency market to Mr. Zoghlin.
"We are very well-positioned, should we decide to enter the market in the (large) travel agency channel, with existing technology no one else has today," says Steve Tracas, president of the Orbitz for Business unit of the Chicago-based company. He emphasizes Orbitz's technological head start with Supplier Link, a system up and running in the retail travel market for two years.
But G2 has advantages of its own. Its $1-per-ticket price edge, multiplied over the millions of tickets big airlines sell, represents significant savings for the carriers. And travel agencies may be more comfortable doing business with G2, because it doesn't compete with them in the retail market.
Subsidizing the competition
"The agency that books through Orbitz is sitting there saying, 'I just subsidized my competitor,' " says travel industry analyst Henry Harteveldt at Forrester Research Inc. in San Francisco. G2 is "probably going to do a better job at this than Orbitz could do, because Orbitz is torn between running the travel agency business and the tech division."
Mr. Zoghlin says G2's technology allows large travel agencies to operate more efficiently and save money.
"Nobody else has rethought any of this (global distribution systems) business logic for 30 years — Orbitz or anybody else," Mr. Zoghlin says. "We provide them a completely new world."
G2's toughest task may be weaning big agencies away from the global distribution systems, which rebate a big chunk of their fees to the agencies. But Mr. Harteveldt warns that those fees are likely to shrink anyway, when airline contracts with global distribution systems begin to expire in 2005 and the carriers demand deep price cuts. United officials last week said they planned to cut their distribution costs by $120 million annually. A spokeswoman declined to provide details.
"Agencies need to learn that their clients, and not the supplier (airlines), need to be the ones who provide them with their revenue," Mr. Harteveldt says.
©2004 by Crain Communications Inc.
Value Prized over Brand Name
Value Prized over Brand Name: "Value Prized over Brand Name "
Just 2% of respondents indicated that brand was the crucial factor in their purchasing decision, far below quality (37%) and price (26%). A quality-price combination also proved to be crucial, as 68% of respondents felt "value" to be "very important," with 30% more feeling it to be "fairly important...
value is king — 71% of those polled believed it is more important these days than five years ago, while 29% disagreed.
From cheap airplane tickets to discounts on books, the Internet is a value magnet for people of all interests. Over one-half of survey respondents chose the Internet as offering the best value, with offline catalogs (32%) and bricks-and-mortar retail stores (16%) polling lower.
"
Just 2% of respondents indicated that brand was the crucial factor in their purchasing decision, far below quality (37%) and price (26%). A quality-price combination also proved to be crucial, as 68% of respondents felt "value" to be "very important," with 30% more feeling it to be "fairly important...
value is king — 71% of those polled believed it is more important these days than five years ago, while 29% disagreed.
From cheap airplane tickets to discounts on books, the Internet is a value magnet for people of all interests. Over one-half of survey respondents chose the Internet as offering the best value, with offline catalogs (32%) and bricks-and-mortar retail stores (16%) polling lower.
"
Active Hotels And Air Polonia Distribution Deal travmedia.com
travmedia.com: "Active Hotels And Air Polonia Sign European Distribution Deal"
Active Hotels is growing its offering of eastern and central European hotels and on average is adding up to 500 European properties per month to its portfolio. The company is seeing organic growth rates of over 100% per year which is faster than any of its major competitors, and is currently processing reservations at rates corresponding to over 200 million euros per annum.
Active Hotels is growing its offering of eastern and central European hotels and on average is adding up to 500 European properties per month to its portfolio. The company is seeing organic growth rates of over 100% per year which is faster than any of its major competitors, and is currently processing reservations at rates corresponding to over 200 million euros per annum.
Opodo revamps hotel bookings - 03-Sep-04.
Opodo revamps hotel bookings - 03-Sep-04.: "Opodo revamps hotel bookings " Opodo has revamped its hotel service in an effort to make it easier for customers to book accommodation. The hotels homepage of the pan-European online travel service allows customers to search a database of up to 35,000 properties by choosing a specific destination or hotel name. A new interactive map enables the hotel's exact location to be pinpointed.
Other features include:
*A 'highlight and compare' element enabling customers to select up to three different hotels on one page and compare how each measures against their chosen criteria.
*The ability for customers to change or modify their booking online by entering the email address they specified when booking, and using their Opodo booking confirmation number.
*New, fully updated content, localised to each market.
Part of the new service is 'Opodo Special' - a selection of handpicked hotels around the world. The company has partnered with a range of niche hotels which offer preferential Opodo rates, and in return are given priority within their category in each city.
Opodo hotels director John Ryan said: "This is the first phase of our new hotels strategy and we have been delighted with the positive response we have received from hotels wishing to partner with us and become a member of the 'Opodo Preferred' offering. We now have several hundred hotels signed up and many more come onboard every day.
“We will be further developing our hotels service over the next six to 12 months to incorporate a range of new products and suppliers.
"Much has been written about the issues of hoteliers working with third party online sites. Opodo is committed to working with our partner hotels in a supplier friendly way, allowing them to manage their yields, inventory and pricing under any one of the four rate categories (retail, wholesale, merchant or opaque), the calendar year round.
“Hotels are conscious of their cost of distribution and want to work with online retailers who allow them to control their yields, availability and rates in exactly the same way as they would today with the traditional offline channels.
"In this way we look forward to achieving our goal of becoming one of the leading European online travel agencies for accommodation distribution."
Other features include:
*A 'highlight and compare' element enabling customers to select up to three different hotels on one page and compare how each measures against their chosen criteria.
*The ability for customers to change or modify their booking online by entering the email address they specified when booking, and using their Opodo booking confirmation number.
*New, fully updated content, localised to each market.
Part of the new service is 'Opodo Special' - a selection of handpicked hotels around the world. The company has partnered with a range of niche hotels which offer preferential Opodo rates, and in return are given priority within their category in each city.
Opodo hotels director John Ryan said: "This is the first phase of our new hotels strategy and we have been delighted with the positive response we have received from hotels wishing to partner with us and become a member of the 'Opodo Preferred' offering. We now have several hundred hotels signed up and many more come onboard every day.
“We will be further developing our hotels service over the next six to 12 months to incorporate a range of new products and suppliers.
"Much has been written about the issues of hoteliers working with third party online sites. Opodo is committed to working with our partner hotels in a supplier friendly way, allowing them to manage their yields, inventory and pricing under any one of the four rate categories (retail, wholesale, merchant or opaque), the calendar year round.
“Hotels are conscious of their cost of distribution and want to work with online retailers who allow them to control their yields, availability and rates in exactly the same way as they would today with the traditional offline channels.
"In this way we look forward to achieving our goal of becoming one of the leading European online travel agencies for accommodation distribution."
Sunday, September 05, 2004
Rosenbluth & Total Travel join hands to form GET - The Times of India
Rosenbluth & Total Travel join hands to form GET - The Times of India: "Rosenbluth & Total Travel join hands to form GET"Global Experts in Travel (GET), a single-branded global travel management joint venture with more than $1.8 billion in annual airline sales, was launched on Thursday at the National Business Travelers Association (NBTA) Convention and Trade Show.
GET combines the global expertise of several former Rosenbluth International Partners in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, Total Travel Management in North America, along with other leading global travel management companies. Negotiations with GET's European partners are in the final stages, with an expected announcement in the upcoming month.
"Corporate travel represents the second highest expense for Fortune 500 Corporations," GET CEO Linda Garback said. "The formation of a single-branded global travel management company, which will standardize global travel processes, while truly reducing a corporation's T&E costs is now a viable option for corporate travel purchasers."
Garback estimates that GET's combined technological resources and travel consultative expertise will potentially reduce a corporation's annual global travel expenditures by up to 30 per cent.
"Corporations are seeking a streamlined means of managing their global travel expenditures and GET truly provides that solution, via the merging of several quality driven global travel management companies into one strategic thinking cohesive organisation," Garback said.
GET combines the global expertise of several former Rosenbluth International Partners in Latin America and Asia-Pacific, Total Travel Management in North America, along with other leading global travel management companies. Negotiations with GET's European partners are in the final stages, with an expected announcement in the upcoming month.
"Corporate travel represents the second highest expense for Fortune 500 Corporations," GET CEO Linda Garback said. "The formation of a single-branded global travel management company, which will standardize global travel processes, while truly reducing a corporation's T&E costs is now a viable option for corporate travel purchasers."
Garback estimates that GET's combined technological resources and travel consultative expertise will potentially reduce a corporation's annual global travel expenditures by up to 30 per cent.
"Corporations are seeking a streamlined means of managing their global travel expenditures and GET truly provides that solution, via the merging of several quality driven global travel management companies into one strategic thinking cohesive organisation," Garback said.
Friday, September 03, 2004
Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R) Launches First Online Check-In Process
Check-It Out: Radisson Hotels & Resorts(R) Launches Hotel Industry's First Online Check-In Process: "Radisson Hotels & Resorts today announced that it has launched 'Express Yourself,' the hotel industry's first, new generation online check-in process that is now available at all its hotels and resorts in the Americas. At the core of this new expedited hotel check-in process is the ability for guests to check in via the Web at their convenience and provide preferences in advance of their arrival, eliminating a lengthy check-in process and providing more control over their hotel experience. The new system was designed to support Radisson's new brand strategy focused on identifying and enhancing key guest touch points and enabling choice.
'Express Yourself' features a three-step process.
First, guests reserve a room via any Radisson booking process (Web site, call center, hotel direct or through a travel agent).
Then, seven days prior to their visit, they will receive an e-mail inviting them to 'express' themselves by checking in at the Radisson Web site ( http://www.radisson.com ). Personal preferences might include the request for a specific room location (examples include proximity to elevators, high or low floor), high speed Internet access, enroll in the Gold Points Reward program or other special service requests.
Upon arrival, they only need to identify themselves at the front desk. They will promptly receive a key packet and hotel information -- with no waiting and no hassles. Guests can utilize Express Yourself up until 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival and at least two hours prior to check-in"
'Express Yourself' features a three-step process.
First, guests reserve a room via any Radisson booking process (Web site, call center, hotel direct or through a travel agent).
Then, seven days prior to their visit, they will receive an e-mail inviting them to 'express' themselves by checking in at the Radisson Web site ( http://www.radisson.com ). Personal preferences might include the request for a specific room location (examples include proximity to elevators, high or low floor), high speed Internet access, enroll in the Gold Points Reward program or other special service requests.
Upon arrival, they only need to identify themselves at the front desk. They will promptly receive a key packet and hotel information -- with no waiting and no hassles. Guests can utilize Express Yourself up until 6:00 p.m. on the day of arrival and at least two hours prior to check-in"
Orbitz Named Best Travel Website by Travel Savvy Readers
CBS MARKETWATCH TOP NEWS
Orbitz (ORBZ) has been named the "Best Website for Booking Travel" as part of Travel Savvy magazine's "Best of" Awards. Orbitz topped the nominations as best in class for online travel when readers of the Generation X-geared travel magazine responded to open-ended ballots requesting their favorite travel web site, airline, hotel and city destination.
Readers praise Orbitz for its "friendly" and "easy-to-read" site design that helps customers "feel in control while searching for steeply discounted fares." Travel Savvy readers also chose Orbitz as tops for its customer friendly features, highlighting how Orbitz is the "only site with a Customer Care team that monitors nationwide travel conditions for its customers."
"We are delighted that the readers of Travel Savvy singled out Orbitz as their preferred place to find great deals and book travel," said John Samuel, executive vice president of Consumer Travel at Orbitz. "Travel Savvy's core audience of young professionals will continue to be some of Orbitz's most important customers, playing a key role in influencing travel trends and purchase decisions."
Travel Savvy's "Best of" Awards are featured in the September/October issue currently on newsstands. Travel Savvy is a travel lifestyle magazine that covers international and domestic destinations, fashion, design, unique accommodations, food, travel news and celebrity travel trends.
Orbitz (ORBZ) has been named the "Best Website for Booking Travel" as part of Travel Savvy magazine's "Best of" Awards. Orbitz topped the nominations as best in class for online travel when readers of the Generation X-geared travel magazine responded to open-ended ballots requesting their favorite travel web site, airline, hotel and city destination.
Readers praise Orbitz for its "friendly" and "easy-to-read" site design that helps customers "feel in control while searching for steeply discounted fares." Travel Savvy readers also chose Orbitz as tops for its customer friendly features, highlighting how Orbitz is the "only site with a Customer Care team that monitors nationwide travel conditions for its customers."
"We are delighted that the readers of Travel Savvy singled out Orbitz as their preferred place to find great deals and book travel," said John Samuel, executive vice president of Consumer Travel at Orbitz. "Travel Savvy's core audience of young professionals will continue to be some of Orbitz's most important customers, playing a key role in influencing travel trends and purchase decisions."
Travel Savvy's "Best of" Awards are featured in the September/October issue currently on newsstands. Travel Savvy is a travel lifestyle magazine that covers international and domestic destinations, fashion, design, unique accommodations, food, travel news and celebrity travel trends.
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Competitor: D Soskins, Entrepreneur and Cheapflights takes wing - at 23p a click
Full article: Not all online travel businesses are hitting turbulence, writes Edward Simpkins
It has been a bleak few months for the online travel industry. Despite an upturn in confidence in the tourism trade - which has seen travellers returning in numbers not seen since before the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 - leading online firms have disappointed.
However, one company, Cheapflights, appears to be booming. David Soskin, the chief executive, says the internet travel company is profitable, has margins of at least 25 per cent and has doubled its turnover in the past year.
In contrast, the big names in online travel are facing huge challenges. Shares in lastminute.com have tumbled by more than 60 per cent since January after a shock profits warning last month. Third-quarter losses jumped to £17m from £12.1m a year ago, contributing to a £56.5m loss for the nine months to the end of June. Meanwhile, ebookers' shares have dived by a third as the company has been plagued by six profits warnings in the past 18 months.
Last week, InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the world's biggest hotel operators, spooked the online market even further when it severed its ties with Expedia, the US travel website.
InterContinental's action is the latest sign of the increasingly strained relationship between the hotel industry and the online travel agents. The online sites may have performed a useful function reselling rooms at discount prices in the downturn, but now that visitors are back, the hotel groups want them to book direct and pay higher prices.
So how has Cheapflights, launched in 1998, managed to avoid the turbulence?
Soskin's business model is different. Cheapflights runs price comparison websites for flights, accommodation and holiday packages. The websites update prices several times a day, allowing travellers to compare prices for flights, packages and accommodation. Unlike online travel agents which sell travel products direct, Cheapflights is paid a fee every time a user clicks on a price and gets taken to the supplier's website. The fee can be small - currently 23p for a flight to New York - but the volumes are high.
This year Cheapflights expects to sell travel products worth £525m through its websites. It now has more than 2m unique users each month, has projected turnover of £8m for this year (compared with £4.3m last year) and sets its margins at 25 to 30 per cent.
"We are like the Google of travel," Soskin says, "We are a one-stop shop where consumers can compare and contrast deals from a very wide range of suppliers."
And he claims the company is popular with travel product providers. "It is direct marketing on steroids, it is the cheapest advertising they are going to get." He says the conversion rate on clickthroughs from the site is around one in four, so an airline such as British Airways could spend less than £1 to sell a flight to New York.
The problem for ebookers, Travelocity and Lastminute is that the old-fashioned travel industry, including tour operators such as TUI, which owns Thomson Holidays, and Thomas Cook, has now become more sophisticated in how it uses the internet.
"The airlines and hotel groups want to go direct and they are offering better prices," Soskin says. "So why would customers want to go to an online agent? It is a huge strategic problem for them.
"They got it right that the internet was going to be the fastest growing media in history and that travel was going to be a killer application. The one thing they didn't realise was that any industry growing at an exponential rate creates the honeypot effect: everyone wants to get into it."
Soskin says owning the cheapflights.com and cheapflights.co.uk web addresses is a big advantage - it is one of the most used search terms on the internet - but argues the company would not be a success if its website did not meet customers' needs.
The company was founded in 1996 by John Hatt, then the travel editor of Harpers & Queen. "His genius was to work out that there is a better application for the internet than retailing and selling. That is the provision of information."
Soskin points out that the world's two largest internet companies by market value, eBay and Yahoo, are information providers, while Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is just half their size.
In 1999, Soskin, who was then the global head of media at ABN Amro, the investment bank, became interested in buying an internet company after discussing the opportunities at a Harvard business school reunion.
He eventually stumbled on cheapflights.co.uk, which unlike other internet start-ups had made money from the outset. He admits to paying a top-of-the-market price for the business, which he is not keen to disclose, and funded the deal with other private investors.
Soskin already had experience as an entrepreneur. In 1989 he founded Asquith Court, a chain of upmarket nursery schools, after reading about the success of an equivalent company in the US. He sold the business for £66m in 2001.
Soskin and his other shareholders have no plans to sell Cheapflights just yet. The company has only just launched in the US (cheapflights.com) while its package holidays (cheapholidaydeals .co.uk) and accommodation (cheapaccommodation.com) websites are growing rapidly.
"This is not the endgame. The company is eight years old but we are just beginning - we are in a position to build something huge."
It has been a bleak few months for the online travel industry. Despite an upturn in confidence in the tourism trade - which has seen travellers returning in numbers not seen since before the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 - leading online firms have disappointed.
However, one company, Cheapflights, appears to be booming. David Soskin, the chief executive, says the internet travel company is profitable, has margins of at least 25 per cent and has doubled its turnover in the past year.
In contrast, the big names in online travel are facing huge challenges. Shares in lastminute.com have tumbled by more than 60 per cent since January after a shock profits warning last month. Third-quarter losses jumped to £17m from £12.1m a year ago, contributing to a £56.5m loss for the nine months to the end of June. Meanwhile, ebookers' shares have dived by a third as the company has been plagued by six profits warnings in the past 18 months.
Last week, InterContinental Hotels Group, one of the world's biggest hotel operators, spooked the online market even further when it severed its ties with Expedia, the US travel website.
InterContinental's action is the latest sign of the increasingly strained relationship between the hotel industry and the online travel agents. The online sites may have performed a useful function reselling rooms at discount prices in the downturn, but now that visitors are back, the hotel groups want them to book direct and pay higher prices.
So how has Cheapflights, launched in 1998, managed to avoid the turbulence?
Soskin's business model is different. Cheapflights runs price comparison websites for flights, accommodation and holiday packages. The websites update prices several times a day, allowing travellers to compare prices for flights, packages and accommodation. Unlike online travel agents which sell travel products direct, Cheapflights is paid a fee every time a user clicks on a price and gets taken to the supplier's website. The fee can be small - currently 23p for a flight to New York - but the volumes are high.
This year Cheapflights expects to sell travel products worth £525m through its websites. It now has more than 2m unique users each month, has projected turnover of £8m for this year (compared with £4.3m last year) and sets its margins at 25 to 30 per cent.
"We are like the Google of travel," Soskin says, "We are a one-stop shop where consumers can compare and contrast deals from a very wide range of suppliers."
And he claims the company is popular with travel product providers. "It is direct marketing on steroids, it is the cheapest advertising they are going to get." He says the conversion rate on clickthroughs from the site is around one in four, so an airline such as British Airways could spend less than £1 to sell a flight to New York.
The problem for ebookers, Travelocity and Lastminute is that the old-fashioned travel industry, including tour operators such as TUI, which owns Thomson Holidays, and Thomas Cook, has now become more sophisticated in how it uses the internet.
"The airlines and hotel groups want to go direct and they are offering better prices," Soskin says. "So why would customers want to go to an online agent? It is a huge strategic problem for them.
"They got it right that the internet was going to be the fastest growing media in history and that travel was going to be a killer application. The one thing they didn't realise was that any industry growing at an exponential rate creates the honeypot effect: everyone wants to get into it."
Soskin says owning the cheapflights.com and cheapflights.co.uk web addresses is a big advantage - it is one of the most used search terms on the internet - but argues the company would not be a success if its website did not meet customers' needs.
The company was founded in 1996 by John Hatt, then the travel editor of Harpers & Queen. "His genius was to work out that there is a better application for the internet than retailing and selling. That is the provision of information."
Soskin points out that the world's two largest internet companies by market value, eBay and Yahoo, are information providers, while Amazon, the world's largest online retailer, is just half their size.
In 1999, Soskin, who was then the global head of media at ABN Amro, the investment bank, became interested in buying an internet company after discussing the opportunities at a Harvard business school reunion.
He eventually stumbled on cheapflights.co.uk, which unlike other internet start-ups had made money from the outset. He admits to paying a top-of-the-market price for the business, which he is not keen to disclose, and funded the deal with other private investors.
Soskin already had experience as an entrepreneur. In 1989 he founded Asquith Court, a chain of upmarket nursery schools, after reading about the success of an equivalent company in the US. He sold the business for £66m in 2001.
Soskin and his other shareholders have no plans to sell Cheapflights just yet. The company has only just launched in the US (cheapflights.com) while its package holidays (cheapholidaydeals .co.uk) and accommodation (cheapaccommodation.com) websites are growing rapidly.
"This is not the endgame. The company is eight years old but we are just beginning - we are in a position to build something huge."
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
GERMAN BANK SELLS 31.3% STAKE IN TUI
NewsFinder: "German state-owned bank WestLB on Friday said it will sell its 31.3 percent stake in German travel operator Tui (DE:695200) to an investor or a consortium. It said it will not comment further until the share sale and added it welcomed an investigation by the BaFin regulator into Tui's volatile share moves"
STA launches dynamic packaging - 01-Sep-04.
STA launches dynamic packaging - 01-Sep-04.: "STA Travel has relaunched its UK website with features such as dynamic packaging and a round-the-world trip planner. tthe new features, which were exclusively revealed to TravelMole in June, are already proving popular with web users.
According to STA, its round-the-world route planner has become the fourth most popular page on the site, receiving around 40,000 unique users per month.
The dynamic packaging, or shopping cart facility was created by using technology provided by US firm Xyka. Xyka�s online booking engine enables STA users to combine flights with other products and also to hold STA negotiated fares until 5pm the following day.
Other enhancements on STA Travel include a destination search with information provided by Lonely Planet and What�s on When, and a more sales-focussed homepage that offers current deals."
June ArticleSTA Travel, which targets the student and youth market, aims to substantially increase online sales over the next few years on all of its websites worldwide.
Internet marketing executive Sara Cox told TravelMole that the website currently drives 50-60% of telesales calls, suggesting it is already being used as a research tool as well as an online booking facility. She said: "We are trying to move to more of a sales focus to keep in line with the competition. We will keep the look and feel of STA and maintain the information, but also push more offers."
The website also plans to work more closely with search engines like Google. According to Ms Cox, 36% of the statravel.com traffic come from these.
As part of its bid to sell more aggressively online, statravel.co.uk is relaunching its homepage in the next few months weeks and has a number of new functions.
A further online development is the introduction of dynamic packaging – or an online shopping cart. The function allows website users to combine flight, hotel and other products and pay for them in one transaction. Users can get their student discount with an ISIC or IYTC card as well. A spokeswoman told TravelMole that Inter-rail products and Australian and New Zealand visas will be available online soon.
The website also allows users to hold an STA Travel negotiated fare until 17.00 that day (or the following day if it is after 17.00). It claims to be the only UK website that offers discounted student and youth fares.
According to STA, 99% of UK students in higher education have access to the internet, and 93% of them use it once a week.
Report by Ginny McGrath
STA Travel
According to STA, its round-the-world route planner has become the fourth most popular page on the site, receiving around 40,000 unique users per month.
The dynamic packaging, or shopping cart facility was created by using technology provided by US firm Xyka. Xyka�s online booking engine enables STA users to combine flights with other products and also to hold STA negotiated fares until 5pm the following day.
Other enhancements on STA Travel include a destination search with information provided by Lonely Planet and What�s on When, and a more sales-focussed homepage that offers current deals."
June ArticleSTA Travel, which targets the student and youth market, aims to substantially increase online sales over the next few years on all of its websites worldwide.
Internet marketing executive Sara Cox told TravelMole that the website currently drives 50-60% of telesales calls, suggesting it is already being used as a research tool as well as an online booking facility. She said: "We are trying to move to more of a sales focus to keep in line with the competition. We will keep the look and feel of STA and maintain the information, but also push more offers."
The website also plans to work more closely with search engines like Google. According to Ms Cox, 36% of the statravel.com traffic come from these.
As part of its bid to sell more aggressively online, statravel.co.uk is relaunching its homepage in the next few months weeks and has a number of new functions.
A further online development is the introduction of dynamic packaging – or an online shopping cart. The function allows website users to combine flight, hotel and other products and pay for them in one transaction. Users can get their student discount with an ISIC or IYTC card as well. A spokeswoman told TravelMole that Inter-rail products and Australian and New Zealand visas will be available online soon.
The website also allows users to hold an STA Travel negotiated fare until 17.00 that day (or the following day if it is after 17.00). It claims to be the only UK website that offers discounted student and youth fares.
According to STA, 99% of UK students in higher education have access to the internet, and 93% of them use it once a week.
Report by Ginny McGrath
STA Travel
Plans to reshape central London Las Ramblas for London? - 31-Aug-04.
Las Ramblas for London? - 31-Aug-04.: "Plans to reshape central London including turning Oxford Street into a tree-lined boulevard to rival Barcelonas Las Ramblas are reportedly being drawn up by the mayor, Ken Livingstone.
According to The Independent newspaper, the proposals also include a pedestrianised corridor from Regents Park to Piccadilly and a grand avenue from Tottenham Court Road to Trafalgar Square.
The newspaper states that the initiative is aimed at transforming the capitals image for tourists and Londoners by turning grimy, traffic-filled streets into paved boulevards modelled on cities like Copenhagen, Rome, Barcelona and Paris.
Livingstones office is reportedly considering the plan after a report by the architect Jan Gehl, who has been praised for his work in transforming Copenhagen.
His report found central London was a maze of obstacles, poor access and overcrowded streets for pedestrians and cyclists, with narrow footpaths, dangerous road crossings and a chronic lack of seating"
According to The Independent newspaper, the proposals also include a pedestrianised corridor from Regents Park to Piccadilly and a grand avenue from Tottenham Court Road to Trafalgar Square.
The newspaper states that the initiative is aimed at transforming the capitals image for tourists and Londoners by turning grimy, traffic-filled streets into paved boulevards modelled on cities like Copenhagen, Rome, Barcelona and Paris.
Livingstones office is reportedly considering the plan after a report by the architect Jan Gehl, who has been praised for his work in transforming Copenhagen.
His report found central London was a maze of obstacles, poor access and overcrowded streets for pedestrians and cyclists, with narrow footpaths, dangerous road crossings and a chronic lack of seating"
lastminute management shake-up appoints new trade brand boss - 31-Aug-04.
lastminute appoints new trade brand boss - 31-Aug-04.: "Online Travel Company sales director Vic Darvey is to replace Carol Dray as head of lastminute.com trade brand holidayandmore.com.
He takes up the new role as general manager tomorrow (Sept 1) after Ms Dray became flights director for lastminute in a recent management shake-up.
Mr Darvey, who has had the sales role at lastminute-owned OTC for six years, also takes responsibility for Globepost Flight Services, described as the 'backbone' of the holidayandmore trade proposition.
Holiday Autos sales director Ian Coyle is also taking on additional responsibility as sales director for holidayandmore.com.
Lastminute group commercial director Andrew Windsor said: 'OTC's sophisticated dynamic packaging online technology and holidayandmore.com's new 'breakbuider' trade offering - including a leisure and gift product stream - means there is a natural synergy between Vic's existing role and his new responsibilities as head of the lastminute.com trade product.'"
He takes up the new role as general manager tomorrow (Sept 1) after Ms Dray became flights director for lastminute in a recent management shake-up.
Mr Darvey, who has had the sales role at lastminute-owned OTC for six years, also takes responsibility for Globepost Flight Services, described as the 'backbone' of the holidayandmore trade proposition.
Holiday Autos sales director Ian Coyle is also taking on additional responsibility as sales director for holidayandmore.com.
Lastminute group commercial director Andrew Windsor said: 'OTC's sophisticated dynamic packaging online technology and holidayandmore.com's new 'breakbuider' trade offering - including a leisure and gift product stream - means there is a natural synergy between Vic's existing role and his new responsibilities as head of the lastminute.com trade product.'"
One for AU to piggy back
Article:
The Spanish Tourism Board’s regional office in Singapore in charge of the Australian market has appointed Destination Marketing Services as its Public Relations representative.
Destination Marketing Services, a well known travel and tourism related representation company, will be in charge of media relations and image building for Spain which will include liaising with the Australian media on information materials for Spain, organisation of press and media familiarisation trips, and monitoring press releases and media articles appearing in the Australian media for Spain.
The Spanish Tourism Board’s regional office in Singapore will be working very closely with Michelle Gowenlock, Destination Marketing Services’ PR Manager, in organising press conferences and lunches for the media in Australia, and will work together with DMS to enhance Spain’s image in the Australian market.
Destination Marketing Services will also organise the Spanish Travel Workshops to be held 21 October in Sydney and 26 October in Melbourne.
Under the leadership of Ms. Leila Fiedler, the Spanish Tourism Board is positively looking forward working closer with the Australian media hopefully resulting to improve tourism traffic in between the two countries through the efforts of Destination Marketing Services.
The Spanish Tourism Board’s regional office in Singapore in charge of the Australian market has appointed Destination Marketing Services as its Public Relations representative.
Destination Marketing Services, a well known travel and tourism related representation company, will be in charge of media relations and image building for Spain which will include liaising with the Australian media on information materials for Spain, organisation of press and media familiarisation trips, and monitoring press releases and media articles appearing in the Australian media for Spain.
The Spanish Tourism Board’s regional office in Singapore will be working very closely with Michelle Gowenlock, Destination Marketing Services’ PR Manager, in organising press conferences and lunches for the media in Australia, and will work together with DMS to enhance Spain’s image in the Australian market.
Destination Marketing Services will also organise the Spanish Travel Workshops to be held 21 October in Sydney and 26 October in Melbourne.
Under the leadership of Ms. Leila Fiedler, the Spanish Tourism Board is positively looking forward working closer with the Australian media hopefully resulting to improve tourism traffic in between the two countries through the efforts of Destination Marketing Services.
Wotif £100 giveaway promotion
Article:
Wotif.com ( www.wotif.com ), the global specialist in last-minute accommodation, is giving away £1000s to reward users who make five accommodation bookings in Britain and Europe.
Travellers taking part in the ‘5 for £100’ offer ( www.wotif.com/uk ) have until October 15th to book five hotels, apartments or B&Bs. When five bookings have been tracked by the website, customers can telephone Wotif.com’s 24-hour call centre on 0845 458 4567 to claim their £100 accommodation voucher. In addition, customers can accumulate bookings by referring friends to the promotion.
The £100 voucher can be redeemed on any form of accommodation around Britain or Europe. Those with a £100 voucher to spend this week could have taken two free nights in Chester’s Northop House Country Hall or two free nights in the Hotel Wallace near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“Thousands of discounted hotel rooms were sold in last year’s ‘5 for £100’ promotion and we are certain that this year will be even more successful,” said Wotif.com’s UK Manager Matthew Harris. “With accommodation around Europe available from just £30 per night it’s easy to work to your free £100”.
– ends –
About Wotif.com
Founded in 2000, Wotif.com ( www.wotif.com ) is the global specialist in last-minute accommodation. Its easy-to-use website and booking engine offers travellers value for money, by selling vacant rooms at discounted rates in the next 14 days. Wotif.com’s portfolio includes over 6000 hotels, motels, apartments, resorts, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts in 32 countries.
Wotif.com’s European office is located in London and its properties can be booked online or through its call centre which operates a superior and personable customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from its Australian headquarters. International offices of Wotif.com are based in Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.
For further information, please contact:
Tristan Rutherford
Public Relations - UK
www.wotif.com
Ph: + 44 207 539 0766
Fax: +44 207 539 0770 tristan.rutherford@wotif.com
Matthew Harris
Manager - UK
www.wotif.com
Ph: +44 207 539 0765
Fax: +44 207 539 0770
matthew.harris@wotif.com
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Search: All of Wotif.com
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Wotif.com ( www.wotif.com ), the global specialist in last-minute accommodation, is giving away £1000s to reward users who make five accommodation bookings in Britain and Europe.
Travellers taking part in the ‘5 for £100’ offer ( www.wotif.com/uk ) have until October 15th to book five hotels, apartments or B&Bs. When five bookings have been tracked by the website, customers can telephone Wotif.com’s 24-hour call centre on 0845 458 4567 to claim their £100 accommodation voucher. In addition, customers can accumulate bookings by referring friends to the promotion.
The £100 voucher can be redeemed on any form of accommodation around Britain or Europe. Those with a £100 voucher to spend this week could have taken two free nights in Chester’s Northop House Country Hall or two free nights in the Hotel Wallace near the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
“Thousands of discounted hotel rooms were sold in last year’s ‘5 for £100’ promotion and we are certain that this year will be even more successful,” said Wotif.com’s UK Manager Matthew Harris. “With accommodation around Europe available from just £30 per night it’s easy to work to your free £100”.
– ends –
About Wotif.com
Founded in 2000, Wotif.com ( www.wotif.com ) is the global specialist in last-minute accommodation. Its easy-to-use website and booking engine offers travellers value for money, by selling vacant rooms at discounted rates in the next 14 days. Wotif.com’s portfolio includes over 6000 hotels, motels, apartments, resorts, guesthouses and bed & breakfasts in 32 countries.
Wotif.com’s European office is located in London and its properties can be booked online or through its call centre which operates a superior and personable customer service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from its Australian headquarters. International offices of Wotif.com are based in Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.
For further information, please contact:
Tristan Rutherford
Public Relations - UK
www.wotif.com
Ph: + 44 207 539 0766
Fax: +44 207 539 0770 tristan.rutherford@wotif.com
Matthew Harris
Manager - UK
www.wotif.com
Ph: +44 207 539 0765
Fax: +44 207 539 0770
matthew.harris@wotif.com
Search Press Releases close
Keywords:
Search: All of Wotif.com
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Sidestep add 370 La Quinta properties
SideStep, Inc. (www.sidestep.com), the traveler's search engine, today announced a marketing partnership with Dallas-base hotelier, La Quinta. Through this partnership, SideStep will drive consumers directly to La Quinta's Web site, www.LQ.com, to book travel.
SideStep customers will now have access to hotel rooms from more than 370 La Quinta properties. Offering comfortable rooms at affordable prices, La Quinta sweetens the deal for guests with such creature comforts as complimentary breakfast, dataport phones with free local calls and 25" televisions with expanded cable, movies-on-demand and Nintendo(R) game systems (at most locations).
"Our partnership with SideStep gives La Quinta's search engine marketing efforts a new level of focus," said Sandy Heilman, La Quinta's vice president -- electronic distribution and marketing. "As the traveler's search engine, this highly targeted marketing venue connects us with consumers actively looking for excellent hotel values. And by driving these travelers to the La Quinta Web site, SideStep not only helps us to further develop our most cost-efficient sales channel, it also enables us to forge direct relationships between customers and our brand."
"SideStep is focused on helping our travel provider partners promote their brands via direct interaction with consumers," said Don Smith, SideStep's vice president, hotels. "Search engine marketing is enabling hoteliers like La Quinta to reach out to customers directly, and SideStep is proving to be a key driver of this important industry trend."
SideStep was named Silicon Valley's third fastest growing private company in October, 2003, by PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Dallas-based La Quinta Corporation (LQI), a limited-service lodging company, owns, operates or franchises more than 370 La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inn & Suites in 33 states. For more information about La Quinta, please visit its website at www.LQ.com.
SideStep customers will now have access to hotel rooms from more than 370 La Quinta properties. Offering comfortable rooms at affordable prices, La Quinta sweetens the deal for guests with such creature comforts as complimentary breakfast, dataport phones with free local calls and 25" televisions with expanded cable, movies-on-demand and Nintendo(R) game systems (at most locations).
"Our partnership with SideStep gives La Quinta's search engine marketing efforts a new level of focus," said Sandy Heilman, La Quinta's vice president -- electronic distribution and marketing. "As the traveler's search engine, this highly targeted marketing venue connects us with consumers actively looking for excellent hotel values. And by driving these travelers to the La Quinta Web site, SideStep not only helps us to further develop our most cost-efficient sales channel, it also enables us to forge direct relationships between customers and our brand."
"SideStep is focused on helping our travel provider partners promote their brands via direct interaction with consumers," said Don Smith, SideStep's vice president, hotels. "Search engine marketing is enabling hoteliers like La Quinta to reach out to customers directly, and SideStep is proving to be a key driver of this important industry trend."
SideStep was named Silicon Valley's third fastest growing private company in October, 2003, by PricewaterhouseCoopers and The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.
Dallas-based La Quinta Corporation (LQI), a limited-service lodging company, owns, operates or franchises more than 370 La Quinta Inns and La Quinta Inn & Suites in 33 states. For more information about La Quinta, please visit its website at www.LQ.com.
Travelocity buy All State Tours Inc for TotalTrip(SM) flight + hotel shopping engine
- In a move expected to enhance its position in Las Vegas and broaden its ability to sell show tickets, attraction passes and other "travel extras" through its TotalTrip(SM) flight + hotel shopping engine, Travelocity(R) and its parent company Sabre Holdings (TSG) today announced that Travelocity has acquired Las Vegas-based All State Tours Inc., ("Allstate Ticketing") a leading distributor of show tickets and tours in the entertainment capital of the world. As part of the purchase, Travelocity acquires the Allstate Ticketing brand and the Web site, www.ShowTickets.com.
The acquisition closed on August 30, 2004 at a purchase price of $25 million, paid in cash. Allstate will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelocity.com, LP
"This is a move rich with synergies which will immediately benefit all of our Las Vegas-bound customers," said Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso. "With Allstate Ticketing we look forward to solidifying our leading position as the best provider of travel experiences to Las Vegas. Beyond that, we will consider introducing Allstate's proven business model to other key leisure travel destinations. We also see tremendous opportunities to build upon the success of the ShowTickets.com Web site, as well as onward distribution of Allstate Ticketing content."
Allstate Ticketing currently offers tickets to 60 shows throughout Las Vegas and manages four box offices for four Las Vegas casinos - Flamingo, Harrah's, Rio, and Sahara. The company also operates an additional 20 ticket booths throughout Las Vegas, including one at McCarran International Airport, and it owns exclusive rights to operate ticket booths at Hoover Dam. Additionally, Allstate sells tickets for tours of Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead. In 2003, the company sold approximately 30 percent of the show tickets in Las Vegas for venues with less than 2,500 seats
The acquisition closed on August 30, 2004 at a purchase price of $25 million, paid in cash. Allstate will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Travelocity.com, LP
"This is a move rich with synergies which will immediately benefit all of our Las Vegas-bound customers," said Travelocity CEO Michelle Peluso. "With Allstate Ticketing we look forward to solidifying our leading position as the best provider of travel experiences to Las Vegas. Beyond that, we will consider introducing Allstate's proven business model to other key leisure travel destinations. We also see tremendous opportunities to build upon the success of the ShowTickets.com Web site, as well as onward distribution of Allstate Ticketing content."
Allstate Ticketing currently offers tickets to 60 shows throughout Las Vegas and manages four box offices for four Las Vegas casinos - Flamingo, Harrah's, Rio, and Sahara. The company also operates an additional 20 ticket booths throughout Las Vegas, including one at McCarran International Airport, and it owns exclusive rights to operate ticket booths at Hoover Dam. Additionally, Allstate sells tickets for tours of Hoover Dam, the Grand Canyon and Lake Mead. In 2003, the company sold approximately 30 percent of the show tickets in Las Vegas for venues with less than 2,500 seats
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