Thursday 07 January

Strong Growth for Webjet in second half 2009

Webjet has continued its strong growth by posting a 37% increase in sales during the six months to December 31.

Total transaction value totalled $248m in the period, compared with $182m in 2008. Managing director David Clarke said the $66m increase exceeded the increase in the entire previous 12 months to June 2009 of $58m.

It comes as the online travel agent rolls out a new advertising campaign on the Ten Network from today, the first time it has advertised on two major television networks.  Webjet previously only advertised on Channel 7.

Meanwhile, Clarke said the response to its new ‘Stay and Pay’ hotel booking system had been in line with expectations.  The initiative, which allows travellers to make hotel bookings without having to pay in advance, was soft launched in September but has been heavily promoted on television over Christmas and New Year.

He said the company had no interest in taking on Wotif in the accommodation space, admitting the 'Stay and Pay' concept was not as relevant for last minute bookings.  “Wotif do an excellent job on leftover inventory, there’s no point us doing that too,” Clarke told Travel Today. “We needed to find a proposition with a different set of values, not a head on battle with a market leader.”

He was confident of solid sales in the lead up to Easter. “We’re looking to build brand awareness in the lead up to Easter. There’s a good six week window for us,” he added.

Editors Comments: I'm sure you're like me, I love reading reports of air traffic growth during this time of global financial difficulty, particularly growth of this enormity.  It's this kind of positivity that will shake things back on track.  Well done Webjet.