Webjet

Webjet Limited is a digital travel business spanning both global consumer markets (through B2C) and wholesale markets (through B2B). Webjet Limited's Registered Office is located in Melbourne, Australia.

For the Brazilian airline, see WebJet Linhas Aéreas.

Webjet Limited
TypePublic
ASX: WEB
IndustryTravel
Founded1998
FounderDavid Clarke, John Lemish, Allan Nahum
Headquarters
Melbourne
,
Australia
Key people
John Guscic (1 February 2011 - Current)
ServicesTravel Booking
Websitewww.webjetlimited.com

The B2C division includes Webjet, an online travel agency (OTA) in Australia and New Zealand, and Online Republic a New Zealand-based online travel booking business.

The B2B division is WebBeds, a travel intermediary, or bedbank, providing accommodation and ground services to the travel industry through trade only booking websites (trading brands) or API connectivity. The company trades globally operating three, locally managed regional divisions - Asia Pacific (APAC), Americas Middle East & Africa (AMEA) and Europe.

Brands

Webjet

Established in 1998, Webjet is an online travel agency in Australia and New Zealand.[1]

Online Republic

Webjet acquired the online travel booking group, Online Republic, in May 2016 for $NZ85 million. Online Republic is a global e-commerce group based in New Zealand.[2]

WebBeds

WebBeds is Webjet Limited's B2B travel provider brand, established in February 2013. WebBeds currently operates the travel trade only booking platforms Lots of Hotels, Sunhotels, Fit Ruums, Totalstay and DOTW, and specialist travel brands JacTravel DMC and Umrah Holidays International.[3]

Lots of Hotels

The WebBeds business launched with the establishment of Lots of Hotels in Dubai, during late 2013.[4] In November 2015, Lots of Hotels North America was launched.[5]

Sunhotels (Europe)

Webjet acquired European online hotel provider Sunhotels in September 2014.[6][7] In August 2016, it was announced Sunhotels (as a subsidiary of Webjet Limited) was set to assume control of over 3,000 hotel contracts owned by European tour operating group, Thomas Cook. The transition of this partnership deal is expected to be complete by January 2019.

FIT Ruums (Asia)

Launched in November 2016, FIT Ruums focuses on B2B travel distribution for worldwide hotel accommodation and transfers in Asia. FIT Ruums has offices in Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, India, Thailand, China and Japan.[8]

JacTravel

Acquired in September 2017, JacTravel is a global hotel accommodation supplier, specialising in inbound group travel services to the United Kingdom, Ireland and Europe. JacTravel is headquartered in London and has offices throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America.[9]

Totalstay

Previously known as Exclusively Hotels, Totalstay.com was launched in Europe in 2006. Totalstay is a hotel booking tool for travel agents.[10]

DOTW

Webjet Limited acquired Destinations of the World in 2018.[11] DOTW is a B2B travel booking platform specialising in the Middle East.

Umrah Holidays International

WebBeds launched Umrah Holidays International in 2018, a specialist B2B brand providing online pilgrimage travel services to the travel industry.

History

Webjet was established by former Jetset Travel Chief Executive David Clarke, Allan Nahum and John Lemish in 1998.[12]

The company was publicly listed on the ASX in 2000 through a reverse takeover deal with Roper River Resources NL.[8] Roper River Resources NL became Webjet NL on 18 April 2000 and was later changed to Webjet Limited on 15 June 2000. On 31 May 2001, Webjet became 100% automated, allowing customers to fully complete their bookings online.[13] Webjet launched a WAP website in May 2002 for mobile phones and offering SMS customer support.

In December 2008, Webjet launched a website for customers in the United Kingdom.

In April 2010, Webjet Limited commenced operations in North America through a joint venture with Mathias Friess, formerly General Manager Global Sales and Distribution of Virgin Australia, and Head of Sales North America for Lufthansa.[14] Webjet entered into a joint venture with Westminster Travel in Asia to initially cover the establishment of Webjet in Singapore and Hong Kong. This was followed by the launch of Webjet in Canada in December 2010.

In February 2011, John Guscic was appointed as Webjet's Managing Director, after serving on the Webjet board since 2003.[15] In the same month, Webjet launched Lots of Hotels.

In April 2012, Webjet OTA signed as a major sponsor of the Melbourne Football Club, with players sporting the Webjet.com.au logo on the front of their club guernseys less than 24 hours after the deal was struck.[16] In the same month, Webjet also partnered with Australian loyalty program flybuys.[17]

In July 2012, Webjet entered into its first international franchise agreement with BidTravel in South Africa.[18]

In March 2013, Webjet acquired Zuji in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore from Travelocity for $25 million.[19][20]

In November 2013, Webjet signed a two-year deal as the principal sponsor of Sydney Thunder for the 2012/203 and 2013/2014 seasons.[21]

In February 2014, Webjet and Sydney FC agreed to a new major commercial partnership which renewed their status as the principal partner of the team since the beginning of the 2012/2013 Hyundai A-League season.[22] Webjet entered into a binding Heads of Agreement to acquire the SunHotels Group in Europe,[23] and was fully acquired by September 2014.[24]

In February 2015, Webjet began accepting Bitcoin on holiday package bookings, making it one of the first Australian retailers to accept the electronic currency in their payment process.[25]

In May 2016, Webjet formally disclosed its acquisition of former rival Online Republic through the airing of a video in national TV, showing the Airport Rentals (Australia) brand.

On 9 November 2016, Webjet announced the sale of Zuji for $56 million, doubling its investment.[26]

In June 2017, Webjet announced the conclusion of its joint venture with Mathias Friess, by selling its remaining interest in Webjet in North America. Webjet re-acquired the rights to Webjet.com, with the remaining brand and operations transitioning over to 'Flyus.com'.[27]

In August 2017, Webjet announced the purchase of UK-based Jac Travel (who in turn had acquired its rival Totalstay in 2015).[28]

In November 2018, Webjet acquired Destinations of the World group, which was founded in 1991.[29]

References
  1. "About Webjet - Webjet". www.webjet.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  2. "Webjet Acquires NZ-based Online Republic - Power Retail". Power Retail. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  3. "Our Story - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  4. "Lots of Hotels - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  5. "Our Story - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  6. "Sunhotels - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  7. "Webjet buys SunHotels to expand accommodation arm". Financial Review. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  8. "Webjet signs with Chinese travel partner". SBS News. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  9. "JacTravel - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  10. "Totalstay - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  11. "WebJet acquires Destinations of the World for $173M | PhocusWire". www.phocuswire.com. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  12. "Webjet announces board shake-up". The Age. 18 August 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  13. "Webjet Redies For 100% Automation - Webjet.com.au". media.webjet.com.au. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  14. Schaal, Dennis (23 April 2010). "Former Virgin Blue exec brings online travel agency Webjet to US". Phocuswire.
  15. "Webjet Ltd (ASX: WEB)" (PDF). Australian Securities Exchange.
  16. "Webjet Signs as Major Sponsor of Melbourne Football Club" (Press release). Webjet. 13 April 2012.
  17. "More bells and whistles for Coles FlyBuys". Financial Review. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  18. Kelly, Martin (24 July 2012). "Southern Africa Franchise Move By Webjet and BidTravel". Travel Trends.
  19. Ogilvy.com.au. "Webjet Limited acquires Zuji in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore - Media release - MinterEllison". www.minterellison.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  20. May, Kevin (12 December 2012). "Travelocity sells Asia-Pacific agency Zuji to Webjet for $25 million". Phocuswire.
  21. "Webjet signs with Thunder". Sydney Thunder. 23 November 2012.
  22. "Sydney FC And Webjet Agree New 2 Year Partnership". Sydney FC. 18 February 2014.
  23. "Significant Webjet Growth Acquisition in Europe".
  24. "Sunhotels - Webjet Limited". Webjet Limited. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  25. Tan, Su-Lin (4 February 2015). "Webjet starts accepting Bitcoins for holiday packages". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  26. May, Kevin (9 November 2016). "Four years on, Webjet sells Zuji for AUS$56 million and doubles its money". Phocuswire.
  27. "Company to re-acquire rights to webjet.com domain name from joint venture partner". Travel Daily. 30 June 2017.
  28. "Webjet Is Buying JacTravel as Wholesaler Consolidation Intensifies". 2 August 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  29. "Webjet acquires Destinations of the WorldStrengthensits position as the #2 B2B player globally" (PDF). Webjet. 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
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