Leading Online Brands Collaborate in Significant Content Deal
lastminute.com plc, the provider of last minute solutions on the internet, and Expedia.co.uk, the leading full service online travel company, have signed a significant content deal. Under the arrangement, lastminute.com becomes the exclusive content provider to Expedia’s new Auction and Lastminute channels launching this summer.
The new channels will enable all Expedia.co.uk users to take advantage of late deals and auctions from lastminute.com. At present Expedia does not sell any services later than 72 hours prior to departure. With the new channels, lastminute.com will offer visitors to Expedia.co.uk a range of complementary services including flight offers available within 72 hours of departure, fantastic theatre tickets, and restaurant bookings. The information will be frequently updated throughout the day offering compelling content and the latest lastminute.com offers that are available to book online.
Commenting on this extension to lastminute.com’s services, Brent Hoberman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of lastminute.com, said: “This is an important strategic agreement for us. It expands our potential customer base by offering Expedia.co.uk users our great offers and unique auctions. Our broad range of products and services makes lastminute.com an ideal complementary partner for online travel sites such as Expedia.”
James Vaile, UK Managing Director of Expedia.co.uk, says: “Expedia.co.uk already puts customers in control when they plan and book their travel online by giving them everything they’d expect from a travel agent. Our agreement with lastminute.com allows us to expand the range of services we offer by working with the leader in late availability deals.”
lastminute.com was founded by Brent Hoberman and Martha Lane Fox in 1998. The web site (www.lastminute.com) was launched in the UK in October 1998.
Based on the idea of matching supply and demand at the last minute via the Internet, lastminute.com works with a range of suppliers in the travel, entertainment, restaurant and gift industries and is dedicated to bringing its customers attractive products and services. lastminute.com aims to provide solutions and inspiration to its customers at short notice.
Following the success of the UK site, localised versions of the web site have since been launched in France, Germany and Sweden in September, October and December 1999 respectively.
lastminute.com had approximately 1.39 million registered subscribers at 31st March 2000.
At 31st March 2000 lastminute.com had relationships with over 2,450 key suppliers, including international scheduled airlines, hotels, package tour operators, theatre, sports and entertainment promoters, restaurants, speciality service providers and gift suppliers, both in the UK and internationally. Supplier relationships include British Airways, British Midland, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Bass Hotels and Resorts, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, English National Ballet, The Royal Albert Hall, Conran Restaurants and One for the Road.
Expedia, Inc. operates Expedia.co.uk in the UK and has localised versions for travellers in Canada, Germany, and the US. Expedia, Inc is listed on the NASDAQ stock market.
Expedia.co.uk is the best way to plan and book your travel online, giving you the choice and control to easily plan travel, buy air tickets, make hotel and car reservations and book last minute package deals by giving you access to exactly the same information as a High Street travel agent.
Expedia.co.uk offers millions of published and discounted fares on over 450 airlines, a directory of 40,000 hotels world-wide, car hire from more than 40 rental companies and a choice of 75,000 package holidays updated every 30 minutes. The site also includes in depth destination guides and maps, a comprehensive travel information service with an online magazine, and thousands of useful links to relevant Web sites.
Expedia.co.uk announced record results for the quarter ended 31st March, 2000:
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