Wotif – Five Million Rooms and Counting

8 August, 2008 by Martin Kelly

By Martin Kelly, Editor, Travel Trends

WOTIF sold almost five million room nights last financial year and now claims to have 41% of Australia’s total online accommodation market following its acquisition of travel.com.au and lastminute.

It was another good 12 months for the company, which also bought Asia Web Direct, and improved net profit by 30% to $34.45m.

Signs of the management challenges it faces were revealed in its annual report that showed a doubling of staff numbers (from 184 employees to 402) in three main locations rather than just the Brisbane HQ.

Web maintenance costs ($4.7m) also doubled as did advertising and marketing expenses – $9.9m, up from $4.43m the year before.

While that might sound like a lot, it’s very low by online travel industry standards, translating to 10% of revenue.

In the US, Expedia spends around 37% of revenue on marketing while closer to home the figure for Webjet is close to 24%.

Looking ahead, Wotif believes the good times for its business should despite economic uncertainty as more people migrate to the web.

Travel Trends: September 4, 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.

In no business is this more obvious than tourism. Booking lead times are now measured in hours not days or weeks.

To succeed requires a new way of doing business, a fresh mentality and a fair amount of nerve.

The program is packed with the information you'll need to thrive in today's just-in-time world with a focus on distribution, marketing, innovation, consumers and technology.

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.

Sponsors:

Program and Speakers
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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.

Program and Event Info