Sun seekers in search of bargain breaks will, for the first time, be able to book their lastminute.com holidays on-line at the same time as they order their groceries, thanks to a new travel site launched by Tesco.com and new online travel partner lastminute.com.
Tesco.com’s 2.7 million regular visitors will now be able to search for the best deals on flights, holidays, hotels and car hire on the new Tesco site and earn Clubcard points on all their travel purchases.
Tesco.com customers will also gain access to a selection of exclusive offers - which won’t be available on lastminute.com’s main site. 

The agreement coincides with another deal between lastminute.com and iVillage.co.uk , the UK’s leading website for women which is also backed by Tesco.  lastminute.com will provide a travel booking engine on the site’s travel channel which launched earlier this summer offering information, tools and advice for it’s 1.6 million-strong female audience.

lastminute has used its white labelling technology to produce the travel web-site for Tesco.com.  The site will be supported through marketing activities and promotions on Tesco.com’s website and through its online communication with customers.

John Browett, CEO of Tesco.com, believes this partnership is indicative of the way successful Internet retailers are growing their businesses.  He explains:  More and more successful Internet retailers are growing their businesses by joining forces.  We’re really excited about working with lastminute.com, Europe’s number one online travel agent, and are confident that the combination of two of the world’s leading online brand names will make the travel web-site a real hit with our shoppers.

“Tesco.com customers regularly book mini breaks and travel online so launching this unique site will enable them to book their break when they buy their groceries.” Brent Hoberman, CEO of lastminute.com, said:

“We are delighted to be linking up with Tesco.com who have one of the most successful online food retailing web-sites and we believe that with out experience, buying power and technology, we will be able to offer Tesco.com customers considerable value for their travel needs.”

Related stories on ITN:

(05/08/2003) lastminute.com Announces Third Quarter Results

(28/07/2003) lastminute.com Launches the Video Mobile Network

(24/07/2003) Takeover Bid Raises Lastminute.com’s Shares
——-