UNIGLOBE Teams With MSN Expedia to Sell Cruises on the
Internet
Uniglobe Travel Online Inc
UTO
Shares issued 13,139,346
1998-10-20 close $1.5
Wednesday Oct 21 1998
Internet shoppers gain access to UTO cruises through Expedia Travel Network
SEATTLE (October 21, 1998) - In a move to highlight its cruise selling capabilities,
UNIGLOBE Travel Online Inc. ("UTO") today announced it has inked a joint
marketing agreement with Microsoft's MSN Expedia to feature cruises available
from UTO through the Expedia Travel Network located at
expedia.com.
Internet shoppers will have access to UTO cruises through the Expedia site
beginning this week.
The joint marketing agreement brings together two leaders in Internet travel. With
the relationship, shoppers visiting the MSN Expedia Web site gain access to special
cruise offers and value-added cruise product from UTO.
"By partnering with MSN Expedia, we add the UNIGLOBE reputation as one of
the largest sellers of cruises in North America to a company that's proven to be
successful at selling travel products over the Internet," said Michael Dauberman,
Senior Vice President at UNIGLOBE Travel Online.
"We believe the cruises we provide to customers shopping the Internet are the best
product offerings available. By gaining access to MSN Expedia visitors, we are
showcasing the cruise product we have and are delivering great cruise experiences
to consumers," explained Dauberman.
Simon Breakwell, travel business unit Group Product Manager at Microsoft, said:
"MSN Expedia is pleased to have UNIGLOBE Travel Online join the Expedia
Travel Network. It is important to provide our customers with quality travel options.
The extensive cruise product sold through UTO will add a broad variety to the
vacaction and cruise packages we currently feature in the Expedia Travel
Network."
"Additionally, cruise product from UTO will be even easier to access through our
recently announced Special Deals collection," Breakwell noted.
With over three million monthly visitors to its site, MSN Expedia is renowned for the
number of consumers that access and shop its site. Dauberman said UTO
anticipates a strong marketing benefit by placing the UNIGLOBE brand name in
front of the millions of consumers who visit MSN Expedia.
"We sell an impressive number of cruises through our UNIGLOBE Travel and
UNIGLOBE CruiseShipCenter franchise systems to customers calling or visiting
our retail travel agencies. With placement on Expedia, we gain greater access to the
shoppers who go on-line to make their travel plans," Dauberman said.
The cruise product that UTO will be selling through Expedia will be both expansive
and diverse. "Product offerings often include specific sailings and special prices
available exclusively through UTO," said Dauberman.
The agreement also marks the launch of a marketing and advertising campaign
UTO will unveil through MSN Expedia and other Microsoft operated Web sites.
Uniglobe Travel Online Inc. (VSE:UTO) is a subsidiary of Uniglobe Travel
(International) Inc., the world's largest single brand travel franchise company with
C$2.7 billion in annual sales and C$70 million invested in establishing and promoting
its brand name. UTO provides travel products and services to business and leisure
travelers as well as operating a travel fulfillment center for various on-line
companies. Visit the UTO Web site at uniglobe.com.
For more information, please contact:
Stephen W. Lewis
VP, Corporate Communications
UNIGLOBE Travel Online
604-718-2642 or mailto:slewis@uniglobe.com
UNIGLOBE Travel Online WEBSITE: uniglobe.com
Expedia Travel Network WEBSITE: expedia.com |
