HotelClub Bright Light In Dark Days at Orbitz

12 May, 2008 by Martin Kelly

By Martin Kelly, Editor, Travel Trends

Australian-based accommodation booker HotelClub has emerged as a rare bright light for the struggling Orbitz online business, which is losing money at an increasing rate – US$15m in the first quarter 2008 compared with US$10m for the same period in 2007. However, HotelClub, which also operates the RatesToGo website, increased gross bookings by 31% over the previous year, and did particularly well in in Australia with 55% growth. Japan was also strong.

Orbitz is a stock market play 48% owned by Travelport, the travel conglomerate created by venture capitalists The Blackstone Group. Since listing, Orbitz, which was saddled with an awful lot of debt, has been a failure on just about every level, though it does own a decent business or two, and has even managed to under-perform the initial low expectations. Investors who bought the stock have been hammered – it’s now trading slightly above US$7 after listing for more than US$14 last year. Apart from HotelClub it also owns ebookers and Orbitz.com. Travel Trends: May 12, 2008

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Events

'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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