Discount travel site Hotwire

today announced its hotel sales grew nearly fivefold in 2002, up 360% over
one year ago.  Additionally, Hotwire is headed into 2003 with a string of
record sales days, selling more hotel room nights the week of January 12
than any week in the site`s two-year history.

Hotwire

launched its hotel product two years ago this week, growing from 25
cities in January 2001 to nearly 400 cities today, covering the U.S.,
Canada, Caribbean and Mexico.  In this time, Hotwire sold 1.8 million room
nights, with hotel gross bookings of more than $130 million.

“Hotwire has made a significant impact on our business since we began
selling all our brands through their site,” said Andrew Rubinacci, director
of distribution planning for Six Continents Hotels.  “Aligning with Hotwire
has allowed us to sell incremental room nights in a manner that does not
compete with our own site or our overall retail strategy.”

“Despite one of the worst years in decades for the hospitality industry at
large, we were able to grow our hotel business fivefold,” said Spencer
Rascoff

, Hotwire vice president of hotels.  “This demonstrates Hotwire`s
ability to offer great deals for discount-seeking travelers, while helping
our hotel partners improve their profitability.”

Hotwire saves up to 70 percent off published hotel rates with top hotels in
the U.S., Canada and Caribbean.  Hotwire hotels are guaranteed to be the
lowest available, backed by Hotwire`s “Double the Difference” low price
guarantee.

Related stories on ITN:

(16/10/2002) Hotwire Expands Hotels to Canada and the Caribbean

(10/10/2002) Hotwire Survey Reveals Travelers Plans

(12/08/2002) Hotwire Announces Hotel Sales Growth of 310%

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