Lowcostbeds has added more hotels in long-haul destinations to its existing portfolio of rooms as it launches a new XML gateway. The accommodation provider has focused on gaining more product in the Caribbean, Far East, Australia, USA and Middle East.

easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, has today signalled the end of traditional week-long and fortnight holidays with the launch of easyJet Holidays. The collaboration between easyJet and the Lowcosttravelgroup, one of the leading on line travel companies in the UK, and offers consumers competitively priced, flexible and convenient holidays across the airline’s extensive network.

easyJet could launch its new low-cost tour operation outside the UK in a bid to save millions in VAT. easyJet Holidays – a joint venture between easyJet and Lowcost Travel – is expected to be registered in Switzerland in a bid to sidestep VAT under the Tour Operator’s Margin Scheme.

Despite a turbulent year of economic uncertainty, the liquidation of some high profile travel industry companies, increases in airline taxes, further job losses and government cuts, Britons are increasingly booking winter sun holidays year-on-year to escape the harsh British weather.

Foviance, the experts in multi-channel customer experience, were appointed in October 2009 by lowcostholidays.com to evaluate the user experience of their website, ensuring their position as key differentiators in the Travel industry.

The Lowcost Travel Group‘s acquisition spree has come to a temporary halt after its take-over talks with online cruise travel agent Ideal Cruising broke down over valuation differences. However the group hinted that it will continue eying up other businesses across the travel setor.Lowcostbeds.com chief executive Paul Evans said he still believed Ideal Cruising was a sound business with an excellent management team but feared that the current climate dictated a lower valuation.