Media Release
Webjet Launches BOOKABED
13th March 2003
Webjet today announced the launch of bookabed.com.au, a new domain name specialising in the sale of hotel accommodation worldwide in conjunction with worldres.com.
Commenting, Webjet's Managing Director, David Clarke, said "The increasing strength and recognition of Webjet and its iconic mouse and with the emerging growth of hotel accommodation on the internet, we now consider it an appropriate next step in our strategic plan to stake out a territory specifically identified with the sale of hotel nights.
"As we recently announced, we have formed a major association with worldres.com, an international hotel database aggregator, based in California, with a range of in excess of 30,000 hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation resorts.
"This additional range will supplement Webjet's existing hotel choices which include packages, resorts, cruising, coach tours, adventure treks and speciality Australian resorts which will continue to be available in their current form.
"As our new travel aggregation platform strategy emerges, the product range will continue to expand.
"The site will commence operation in approximately 30 days with associated media announcements.
"In terms of its immediate commercial significance to Webjet, we consider that it will assist us in continuing to increase our gross profit margins and build the overall size of the business at very marginal incremental cost."