Oodles.com Stirs The Pot On Launch

20 July, 2007 by Martin Kelly

Steve Sherlock, Managing Director of new online car hire company, Oodles.com, has slammed the vehicle renter broker model as unsustainable. “I’m afraid a broker model with 25-30% margins is just not going to cut it in this day and age,” he said.

“Everyone knows brokers have been screwing suppliers for lower and lower rates for years. I used to be one of them. But now that supplier direct bookings are getting more traction, I believe the game up for brokers.”

He claimed online car hire rates are much cheaper than those through brokers and that consumers will vote with their wallet. Oodles has just launched after securing funding from several investors including Mario Salvo, who founded Europcar in Australia.

Oodles, which features a slick price comparison matrix, enters a competitive though fragmented market niche with no dominant player. Sherlock claims there is a great opportunity to build brand awareness in this space. Oodles marks up its supplier rates with a flat 10% commission.

Car hire will be a major topic at this year’s TRAVELtech – watch for further details… TravelTrends.biz: July 20, 2007

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'REAL TIME - Sydney, March 30'

When: March 30, 2012
Where: Amora Hotel Jamison
Program: Real Time
Bookings: $499 + gst Early Bird

BOOK now to get the Early Bird rate for the No Vacancy accommodation industry conference in Sydney.

Real Time is the theme of No Vacancy 2012, reflecting the fact that we live in a world where everything happens now, or not at all.

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Speakers confirmed so far include the following, and there are a few more on the way...

Rachel Argaman, CEO, Toga Hospitality
Dave Audley, Heading of Consulting, Experian Hitwise
Quentin Briard, GM Australia & NZ, Club Med
Daniel Bridges, Head of Travel, Trade Me (NZ)
Julio Bruno, Global Vice President Sales, TripAdvisor
James Cassidy, HomeAway.com.au
Robbie Cooke, CEO, Wotif.com
Will Deague, CEO, Art Series Hotels
Dean Dransfield, Director, Dransfield Hotels and Resorts
Bob East, CEO, Mantra Resorts
Leah Lipman, Area Director Reveneue Management Australasia, IHG
Simon McGrath, CEO, Accor Australia
Bryon Merzeo, Analyst, STR Global
Bernard O’Keefe, Group Online Marketing Manager, Hamilton Island
Todd Parker, Founder, Parker Travel Collection
Nikolai Pitchforth, Head of Online Travel, Google
Brett Pointon, Founder, Oaks Hotels and Resorts
Anton Stanish, GM, The Stayz Group
Janet Wilson, Managing Director, Nationwide Hospitality

It'll be a great day. As usual, the focus will be on distribution, marketing, sales, innovation and technology for both hoteliers and Online Travel Agents.

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Returning September 17, 2012

The date has been set for TRAVELtech 2012 - Monday, September 17.

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who attended TRAVELtech: Best of Enemies in Sydney recently.

It was a fantastic event, lots of fun with a touch of controversy.

Please check out the photographs or use this link to see great 360 degree panorama shots of the conference from Panedia.

TRAVELtech is Australia's original web travel, marketing and distribution event, featuring a compelling program, great speakers and fantastic networking.

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