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back to Press releases
OPODO EXPANDS FURTHER INTO EUROPE
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London , March 15th, 2005. Opodo, the pan-European online travel company, today announced that it has acquired 100% of Travellink – the leading Nordic Internet travel agency, and that it has acquired 100% of Eviaggi – one of the major online players in the Italian travel market. Today’s announcement marks a key milestone in Opodo’s expansion strategy. Scandinavia is the fourth largest European market for online travel with Euro 884million gross sales in 2004 , whilst Italy is the fifth largest with Euro 627million gross sales in 2004* . Opodo is already present in the top 3 markets (UK, Germany and France) and with Travellink and Eviaggi will now operate in the top five European online travel markets, which represents approximately 85% of the on-line travel sales in Western Europe* Travellink, which was founded in 2001, provides travel services for both Corporate and Leisure consumers. It has achieved excellent growth since launch and is expected to see 85% growth in 2005. Opodo will benefit from Travellink’s strong local content in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland and from its established corporate travel business. Travellink will become stronger from the backing of one of Europe’s leading online travel companies. In September 2004, Opodo took over the operational management of Eviaggi, the Italian online travel agency, and today announced that it has now acquired the company. Commenting on the two acquisitions Simon Vincent, CEO of Opodo said, “ The online travel industry is forecast to grow dramatically in Europe over the next couple of years. The acquisition of Travellink and Eviaggi furthers our expansion into new markets, and strengthens our position in the Continental European Market and Nordic regions .” Peter Carlsson, CEO of Travellink commented, “By becoming a part of the Opodo Group, Travellink will be able to strengthen its product offering, whilst continuing service to its corporate customers across Europe. The strength of Opodo, as one of Europe’s leading online travel companies, will ensure that we continue our strong growth and consolidate our leading position in the Nordic markets .” End Notes to Editors * Source PhoCusWright About Opodo Opodo addresses the real needs of today’s traveller by offering an unbiased and competitively priced online travel service for world travel. With access to flights from nearly 500 airlines, over 45,000 hotel properties, 7,000 car hire locations, package holidays, city breaks, lifestyle holidays, ski deals, comprehensive travel insurance and value added services such as airport parking, with Opodo you really can ‘Travel Your Way’. Opodo was created by nine of Europe's leading airlines - Aer Lingus, Air France, Alitalia, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia, KLM and Lufthansa. Amadeus, the travel technology company based in Madrid, took a 55% controlling interest in the company in June 2004. Opodo launched its first site (www.opodo.de) in Germany in November 2001, its UK site (www.opodo.co.uk) in January and its French site (www.opodo.fr) in April 2002 . In January 2005, Opodo acquired Quest Travel, one of the UK’s leading independent long-haul travel specialists, in February 2005 Opodo acquired Karavel, a leading French tour operating company. About Travellink Travellink is the leading Internet travel agency in the Nordic markets. Travellink provides services for both the Corporate and Leisure market offering a broad range of products, 500 airlines, 60.000 hotel properties and the largest car rental companies. In addition to the Internet service, telephone support is also available 24/365 from professional travel advisors. Travellink was founded in 2000 by SAS, Amadeus and Tele2 and opened the services in Sweden (www.travellink.se), Norway (www.travellink.no) and Denmark (www.travellink.dk) in November 2001. In August 2004 the Leisure service was also launched in Finland (www.travellink.fi). About Eviaggi Eviaggi.com is a simple and easy-to-use online travel agency, which gives a complete and clear solution to all travel needs. Its high speed, secure connection and wide range of flight offers, discounted hotels and car hire deals, together with last minute and package holidays ensure it fulfils every requirement of business and leisure travellers. Eviaggi.com launched in March 2000. Opodo took over operational management of Eviaggi in September 2004. For more information please go to www.eviaggi.com. Media contact Gail Sinden Opodo Corporate Communications Tel: + 44 (0) 870 352 5088 Fax: + 44 (0) 870 352 5086 Email: gail.sinden@opodo.com |
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