Opodo , the Pan-European online travel portal has today unveiled its new online package holiday service, one of the first services which allows consumers to book package holidays direct over the Internet.

Working in conjunction with leading travel fulfilment and technology company DTS, the new service offers customers thousands of great package holiday deals from all the top tour operators. 

Benefits of the new service include:

Leading technology developments means that customers are able to choose a package holiday and book directly online.  However for those who need assistance or advice, a call centre is available.

The ability for customers to book both `Late deals` (i.e. holidays which are booked 12 weeks or less before departure) as well as full season breaks within one search request.

Direct connection into the tour operator databases ensures customers receive the most up-to-date, real time information about prices and availability.

“The Jubilee celebrations, the additional bank holiday and the anticipation of the world cup, has meant that people have left it later than usual to book their summer holidays this year”.  said Jenny Taylor, UK Country Manager for Opodo “We are launching our package holiday service with a strong emphasis on the number of great late deals available, in order to encourage people to book now and get away. The convenience of being able to book directly online means that you could book on a Friday evening and be sunning yourself on a beach by Saturday afternoon”.

The launch is supported by a variety of online and offline marketing activity designed to encourage people to book late deals. 

Online:  A new creative form of expandable banners will be launched on Virgin.net and Lycos on 11th July, where people will roll their mouse over the banner and creative drops down to reveal more information about pricing and availability.

Real-time updatable banners with price updates twice a day will be displayed across core sites including ntlworld, btopenworld and bargainholidays throughout the remainder of July and August.

Offline: With the primary objective being to target e-bookers and e-travellers, the offline campaign will launch in August with national press advertisements, pushing pricing and the convenience of being able to book your last minute holiday online.

Related stories on ITN:

(26/06/2002) Opodo Appoints New Chairman
(28/05/2002) WorldRes & Andbook Provide Reservation Service to Opodo
(17/04/2002) Opodo launches in France
(29/03/2002) Opodo Signs Exclusive Contract with Holiday Autos
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