Press release from Business Wire India
Source: Expedia.co.in
Friday, September 30, 2011 11:37 AM IST (06:07 AM GMT)
Editors: General: Consumer interest, Economy, People, Travel & tourism; Business: Business services, Hospitality, Travel & tourism
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Expedia Air Asia JV set to Redefine Travel Landscape for India
New Delhi, Delhi, India, Friday, September 30, 2011 -- (Business Wire India) -- - First partnership of this nature between an Online Travel Company and a low cost carrier globally -
- JV to provide consumers in India enhanced booking and travel experience with a suite of compelling deals and offers -
- Aims to tap the buoyant growth in the Asia travel market -
Expedia, Inc., the world's largest online travel company, and AirAsia, the world's best low cost airline today announced the launch of a new joint venture company offering a complete range of great value flights, hotels, and holiday options for the Indian consumer. A first of its kind alliance between an online travel company and a low cost carrier globally, this JV will herald a new phase in the travel space in India, catapulting Expedia's global leadership position to emerge as the world's largest and most intelligent travel market place. The JV would be headquartered out of Singapore with Dan Lynn as the new CEO of AirAsia Expedia.
Under the terms of the agreement, the JV Company has been formed to operate Expedia, Inc.'s Expedia® branded businesses in Japan, India, Southeast Asia and other East Asian markets, as well as AirAsia's AirAsiaGo and GoRooms businesses. The new venture will build on AirAsia's unique local marketing expertise, along with Expedia's world leading technology, and both companies' quality travel products in the region and beyond. Basis the agreement, Expedia Inc. will have the exclusive distributorship right (outside of AirAsia.com) to sell AirAsia standalone flights and packages with AirAsia flight components in all other markets. The JV brings unparalleled value for Indian travelers by combining together Expedia's over 1,40,000 hotel inventory with Air Asia's wide network across the region to offer incredibly affordable rates to destinations in this region.
Travel packages include:
-- While flying from Delhi to Kuala Lumpur for 3 nights 4 days will cost as low as Rs. 12, 500; Delhi to Bali and Phuket will now be available at Rs.17, 000 only for the same duration
-- Mumbaities have a reason to rejoice too especially when Mumbai to Kuala Lumpur will come at the same price point of Rs. 12, 500 for a 3 nights/ 4 day package
-- For residents of Bangalore, flying to South East Asia doesn't get cheaper then Rs. 9,000 for a 3 nights/ 4 days package to Malaysia while their Chennai counterparts can enjoy the same package for Rs. 7500 only
-- Travelers from Kolkata can now fly to Malaysia again for as low as Rs. 7, 500 only!
*Package includes stay at 4 star hotels for 3 nights 4 days
Commenting on the occasion, Scott Durchslag, President, Expedia Worldwide, 'As the world largest and most intelligent travel marketplace, Expedia is focused on delivering an incredible value and travel experience to its global audience of consumers. The company has set new benchmarks with innovative and unique offerings, including exciting options like "build your trip, Zero fee" for its consumers worldwide. With this JV we have yet again, redefined the Indian travel landscape to deliver to travelers to South East Asia a 'never before experience' at the click of a button."
Speaking on the importance of the JV, Mr. Dan Lynn CEO, AirAsia Expedia said, "The Asian travel market is set to explode. One of the strongest regional contributors to this growth is the buoyant Indian travel market. Expedia is focused on democratizing travel by bringing amazing value holidays to the Indian travelers. We are delighted to realize this JV with Air Asia to deliver our consumers with a compelling suite of exciting offers promising incredible value."
Preceding the JV, the company has also conducted a proprietary consumer survey to understand the need gaps in servicing the South East Asian travel market and defining the unique opportunities therein. The study has identified distinct travel segments within the region, the first time traveler, the family traveler, the SME/ business traveler and the frequent traveler. The findings include:
-- Over 75% of travelers wished to explore more destinations across south east Asia
-- Over 47% wished to enjoy a better level of flexibility to buy flight + hotel + holiday activities
-- Less than 20% of the respondents consider traveling abroad as an expensive proposition
-- 55% of people think the deals offered via Expedia AirAsia alliance for South East Asia couldn't get cheaper
-- The study also indicates a whopping 70% wishing to upgrade to 5 star hotels within the same budget
-- Over 65% Indians find south east Asian destinations as accessible as traveling locally while over 55% of respondents felt traveling to certain destinations in South East Asia involves the same cost as traveling in India for weekend breaks
-- Better holiday packages is gaining prominence with over 70% travelers looking for options like scuba diving, snorkeling, theme park tickets, water sports, spa included in their travel packages
Commenting on the JV, AirAsia Regional Head of Commercial, Kathleen Tan said, "This partnership between AirAsia and Expedia will definitely provide great benefits to travelers in India, fulfilling dreams to travel and discover the wonders of various enlivening destinations with us. This energetic partnership allow focused services to suit the needs of the local market in India, providing utmost ease and excellent access to our low fares and holiday packages. As an exclusive online travel partner for AirAsia, Expedia provide everyone with access to our great deals and any of AirAsia inventory on any of Expedia's travel sites worldwide."
The JV will make South East Asia truly affordable with a slew of offers.
About Expedia.co.in
Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE), the world's largest online travel company, operates Expedia.co.in (http://www.expedia.co.in/) in India. Expedia.co.in provides Indian consumers with a distinctive suite of travel solutions comprising a wide selection of holidays, destination attractions, flights, hotels and car rentals supported by a 24x7 call centre. With products like 'Build your trip' consumers not only have the freedom to create their own packages but also receive the best discounts on creating packages from Expedia's inventory of hotels, travel activities and car. Expedia currently operates localized websites across 25 points of sale in India, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, US, Canada, France, Italy, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, UK, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Switzerland, South Korea, Brazil and Indonesia.
Link to the Expedia.co.in press centre - http://press.expedia.co.in/
Expedia is a registered trademark of Expedia, Inc. in the US and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
About Expedia, Inc.
Expedia, Inc. is the largest online travel company in the world, with an extensive brand portfolio that includes more than 90 localized Expedia.com®- and Hotels.com®-branded sites; leading U.S. discount travel site Hotwire®; leading agency hotel company Venere.comT; Egencia®, the world's fifth largest corporate travel management company; the world's largest travel community TripAdvisor® Media Network; destination activities provider ExpediaLocalExpert®; luxury travel specialist Classic Vacations®; and China's second largest booking site eLongT. The company delivers consumers value in leisure and business travel, drives incremental demand and direct bookings to travel suppliers, and provides advertisers vast opportunity to reach the most valuable audience of in-market travel consumers anywhere through TripAdvisor Media Network and Expedia Media Solutions. Expedia also powers bookings for some of the world's leading airlines and hotels, top consumer brands, high traffic websites, and thousands of active affiliates through Expedia® Affiliate Network. (NASDAQ: EXPE)
About AirAsia
AirAsia, the leading and largest low-cost carrier in Asia for three consecutive years (2009, 2010, 2011), services the most extensive network with approximately 139 routes covering destinations in Asia, Australia and Europe. A prominent champion of low fares with an impressive fleet of brand new Airbus A320s, the biggest route network in the region, excellent flight frequencies, convenient booking and payment channels and 'choose-your-own features' for meals, seats and baggage allowances, in 8 plus years of operations, AirAsia has carried more than 100 million guests and grown its fleet from just two aircraft to approximately 100. The airline today is proud to be a truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline with established operations based in Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, servicing a network stretching across all Asean countries, China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia. This is further complemented by AirAsia X, its low-cost long-haul affiliate carrier that currently flies to destinations in China, Australia, Taiwan, India, Iran, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, France and the UK. AirAsia was named World's Best Low Cost Airline in the annual World Airline Survey by Skytrax for two consecutive years, in 2009 and 2010.
Known for its innovations, the airline popularizes technology-backed travel services such as web and mobile bookings; web, mobile and kiosk check-in services; no admin fees and the use of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and its blog in communicating with guests in real-time throughout the globe.
AirAsia's operations are anchored in its mission to democratise travel, encapsulated in its tagline 'Now everyone can fly'. It has carried more than 120 million guests to date. AirAsia has also established itself as the Truly Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) airline, with its unmatched connectivity in the region and its "sky bridges" - routes - that link the capitals and communities of Southeast Asia and beyond. Together with its low-cost, long-haul affiliate AirAsia X, the airline now links three continents - Asia, Australia and Europe.
CONTACT DETAILS
Beedisha Chakrabarti, Text 100, +91 9899003192, beedishac@text100.co.in
Nipunta Khashu, Text 100, +91 9811465973, nipuntak@text100.co.in
Saba Sinha, Text 100, +91 9810976439, saba.sinha@text100.co.in
KEYWORDS
CONSUMER, ECONOMY, PEOPLE, TOURISM, BUSINESS SERVICES, HOSPITALITY, TRAVEL
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