plenty happening

tvl has always struggled to get strategic partners like Zuji and now online flight centre is starting to enter the webjet, zuji, tvl market.

Note the part at the bottom "signals our intention to become the major player in the broader online travel market". If they bought tvl they would do that instantly but maybe there is some historical bad blood between flt and tvl. I dont know.

Web certainly have the PR machine working overtime and good luck to them for that. Tvl are not into building any hype at all these days.

Lastminute had record December sales yet they will not put out a release to that effect.


Getaway TV and web boost for Flight Centre

Flight Centre has landed sales agreements with Channel 9¡¯s travel program Getaway and with leading website ninemsn.

The deals mean FC will become the major travel provider to Getaway for three years and ninemsn¡¯s Getaway travel section for one year, showcasing the agency¡¯s products to millions of potential customers each month.

Getaway attracts a nationwide weekly audience of about two million, while up to 6.9 million visit ninemsn each month.

FC said its ability to offer deals with numerous suppliers meant the arrangements would deliver a wider choice of domestic and international flights, accommodation, cruises and holiday packages.

"Importantly, these agreements represent new sales and marketing opportunities and provide our company with the opportunity to sell lucrative package deals and grow our overall business," ceo Shane Flynn said.

Flynn said the ninemsn agreement represented a particularly important step in the company's evolution from a traditional retailer into a "clicks and mortar" multi-channel distribution system.

"This agreement with ninemsn signals our intention to become the major player in the broader online travel market,¡± he said. "It also represents a break with tradition because services of this kind have historically been provided by pure dotcom travel companies and airlines.¡±

Consultants will be available during and after ¡®Getaway¡¯ to service customer enquiries generated during the program and FC¡¯s phone number will feature in Getaway's stories and in its ¡°hot deals¡± section.


4 February 2005