Latedeals.com, the late availability holiday website backed by World of TUI,
has secured a record ranking among UK travel agency websites according to
the latest data released by Hitwise*, with a 60% increase in unique users
year on year.

The website, launched in January 2000, has grown to become the No.1 most
visited dedicated late availability site and the 19th* most visited travel
agent`s website in the UK achieving a 100%* increase in market share of the
Travel Agencies category since March 2002.

Speaking about the rapid rise in the site`s popularity, managing director,
David Hawke said: “We have worked incredibly hard to ensure that
latedeals.com offers its customers only the very best deals on the market.
It is extremely gratifying to see that this focused approach is paying off
and that we continue to build a loyal customer base.”

Despite industry-wide fears that the holiday market would suffer a decline
after September 11, bookings through latedeals.com remained buoyant with
hits to the website steadily rising throughout the months following the
events.

A £1 million advertising and Public Relations campaign including national
press and targeted outdoor activity over the last year has undoubtedly
helped raise the profile of the young brand. Over 50,000 customers now
choose to book with latedeals.com every year.

David Hawke believes the popularity of the site is down to its clarity and
ease of use combined with the quality and choice of deals to European and
worldwide destinations available on it.

He comments: “The site lets you browse through a wide range of deals from
many major tour operators and numerous smaller, reputable travel companies.
The range of breaks on offer means that it is easy to find a holiday to suit
your requirements - from a £99 getaway to the Med to a luxury Caribbean
cruise.  All booking is done over the phone, which means you get personal
service and, as the team here is dedicated to offering the keenest late
deals, you have the reassurance that you have found the best possible deal
around.”

Latedeals.com is soon to announce several new initiatives, which will allow
access to its deals via a number of new digital channels in pursuit of the
company`s goal to become the first truly `multi-platform` direct travel
brand.

The website can be visited at www.latedeals.com

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