Online retailer Webjet says it is unfazed by Expedia’s acquisition of long-term rival Wotif, claiming the deal in fact represents a “great outcome”.
Speaking to Travel Today, managing director John Guscic was positive about the deal which promises to shake-up up the Australian online travel market.
He specifically highlighted a deal already in place with Expedia, that he believes will see Webjet prosper from the tie-up.
“We have a distribution arrangement through the Expedia Affiliate Network through which we sell Expedia inventory, so we look forward to getting access to the Wotif inventory through that network,” he said.
“We’d like to thank Expedia for buying Wotif so that we can have access to their product.”
Meanwhile, although he could not provide a trading update in advance of its full-year results announcement on August 20, Guscic was upbeat about Webjet's prospects in the Australian market.
While this week saw the announcement of its acquisition of European B2B hotel provider SunHotels, the latest stage in its international B2B expansion, he underlined growth prospects in the B2C market, specifically in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
“On the B2C side, we still see growth opportunities in the region for Webjet and Zuji,” he said. “Our B2C focus is on Asia and Australia. We still see growth in Webjet’s core market in Australia.”
Guscic revealed a further major announcement will be made in the next two to three weeks.
Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced an informal review into Expedia's acquisition of Wotif under its merger process guidelines. Its final decision is expected on September 4.
