Jetsettersblog

Summer in the Queenstown is the perfect time to explore the magnificent Queenstown region by foot. New trails including the Lake Hayes Loop and Jardine’s to Jack’s Point have this year been added to the already rich range of walks within easy reach of the resort. Visitors and locals alike enjoy one-day adventures and world famous multi-day hikes.

Some of the world’s great walks start from Glenorchy, a 45 minute scenic drive from Queenstown and venture into the heart of the Fiordland and Mt Aspiring National Parks and include the Milford, Hollyford, Routeburn, Dart/Rees, Caples and Greenstone tracks.

Close to downtown Queenstown, a number of scenic walks can be enjoyed. You can scale the heights with the historic Queenstown Hill time walk for magnificent view or take a leisurely stroll around Queenstown’s beautiful lakeside gardens. . For a more challenging day walk, try the Ben Lomond Trail traversing over Bob’s Peak.

Destination Queenstown Acting CEO Graham Budd said that for many people, Queenstown’s walking options are the mainstay of their holiday experience.
“Walking is a great way to explore the region, and one of this region’s most long standing attractions. The wide range of walks mean you can be physically challenged, or enjoy a sedate stroll. It’s a great way to take in our stunning scenery, from Glenorchy, to Kingston, Gibbston and Arrowtown. We have an active Trails Trust which ensures new walks are continually added to our already considerable network.”

Mr Budd said multi-day walks are extremely popular at this time of year but warned visitors to book ahead.

“If you walk independently, be aware that Department of Conservation huts on the Milford Track are currently booked out for this summer, and the Routeburn is also popular, so consider alternatives such as the Hollyford, Caples, Dart/Rees or Greenstone Tracks. If you are looking to walk with a bit more comfort, there is availability on the guided options.”

Guided options are available to walkers looking to tramp in comfort and style. The trips cover accommodation in luxury lodges along the tracks, with hot showers, and three course meals to soothe the weary walker at the end of the day.

The Department of Conservation has a wealth of information about what to take, when to go and track information. The Department also offers free advice for walkers about the specific dangers of this region, including vastly variable weather and difficult off-trail navigation.

Mr Budd said walking is a part of Queenstown’s many attractions and activities.

“There are many options for a summer holiday in Queenstown, and walking can be complemented with everything from the sedate to extreme adventure activities. A flightseeing trip, spa treatment or booking in for a luxurious night’s accommodation are just some of the ways to recharge after a walk. Summer is a great time to get out on the water, or take to the air, so we certainly encourage visitors to allow time for these activities as well.”

For more information on guided walks and Queenstown activities, visit the Destination Queenstown website. For self-guided options, book your hut and learn about the track via the Department of Conservation website: http://www.doc.govt.nz

Australian Online Tourism Specialists

Air New Zealand announced today that it had acquired a cornerstone shareholding in Australian online tourism specialists V3 (Vcubed Pty Ltd).
Air New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Officer Norm Thompson said the acquisition was part of the airline’s strategy to further diversify into the wider tourism sector.

V3 provides its open booking exchange (OBX™) technology for tourism suppliers and distributors in Australia, and Mr Thompson said Air New Zealand and V3, through a joint venture, would establish a similar tourism exchange in New Zealand.

The OBX™ is available to all tourism and travel operators and distributors and will be run in New Zealand as a standalone business, independent of Air New Zealand.

It works by allowing distributors to access live book-able inventory from tourism operators in a real-time marketplace, and has exciting potential for New Zealand tourism operators.

Mr Thompson said a New Zealand exchange would help local tourism businesses by providing them with a cost-effective way of increasing their reach to distributors.

“For example, it will allow a local hotel operator to offer accommodation directly to a multitude of online retailers,” he said.

Air New Zealand’s commitment to playing a role in the wider tourism industry was behind its decision to acquire a stake in V3 and establish an exchange in New Zealand, he said.

“Air New Zealand’s fortunes are inextricably linked with that of our tourism sector. What’s good for tourism in New Zealand and our tourism operators will have natural flow-on benefits for the airline.”

Having enjoyed outstanding success in the Australian market, V3 Chief Executive Officer Shane Crockett said: “We are extremely pleased to have Air New Zealand as a cornerstone investor and strategic partner for this breakthrough initiative in digital marketing for both the Australian and New Zealand tourism industries.

“Air New Zealand is the perfect strategic partner for V3 to optimise the potential of the open booking exchange technology.

“Leading the market with the unique exchange model in Australia, V3 has already seen many of the tourism industry’s key suppliers, distributors and government organisations using the open booking exchange technology and now, our partnership with Air New Zealand will extend this successful model into the New Zealand market.”

Mr Thompson said former Air New Zealand General Manager Chris Hunter had been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the new business that would offer a similar tourism exchange service in New Zealand.

Mr Hunter has long been involved in the tourism and travel business, holding a number of senior positions, most recently as General Manager Strategy and Planning for Flight Centre New Zealand. During his 21 years at Air New Zealand he held a range of positions including General Manager Global Direct Sales.

Mr Hunter said he was excited by the opportunity to positively contribute to the ongoing growth and success of the New Zealand tourism industry, and expects to make further announcements to the industry in the first half of next year as the new exchange takes shape.

Grand Pacific Tours Luxury Coach Holidays Brochure 2009-10

Grand Pacific Tours Fully Escorted Rail/Coach Holiday Brochure 2009-10Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Luxury Coach Holiday specialist, has just released their 2009/10 season programmes. With some major changes incorporated.

For the first time in the company’s history all of the coach programmes are included in the one brochure. The 10, 11, 16 and 19 Day Luxury Coach Holidays plus the 19 Day Rail/Coach Holiday and the inclusion of the 15 Day Ultimate New Zealand Experience as a pull-out supplement, means that anyone contemplating a New Zealand Coach Holiday only need refer to the one brochure.

The 19 Day Rail/Coach Holiday includes an exclusive overnight cruise in the Bay of Islands on the newly built catamaran Ipipiri, which was the original Maori word for the area. Grand Pacific Tours is the only Australian Tour Operator that has been given the rights to include the overnight cruise into a tour series during its inaugural year. Accommodation is in King Staterooms with private facilities and sea-views whilst dinner will be of local produce including seafood and BBQ.

The 19 Day Grand New Zealand Tour has changed slightly with the inclusion of the wine growing Wairarapa Region on the North Island. Travellers shall be treated to a pre-dinner Wine & Cheese Experience, which will be presented by a local wine or cheese maker at the newly renovated Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Solway Park. A tour of the region incorporating Carterton, Greytown and Martinborough takes in an area that is not visited by any other tour operator.

The inclusion of the 15 Day Ultimate New Zealand Experience featuring the most expensive coach built to date in Australia within the main brochure is to highlight the diversity of product on offer by the company. Also both the 10 Day South Island and 16 Day Highlights tour shall have select departures where traveller’s can upgrade to travel on the Ultimate Coach and experience the luxury, comfort and style that has already won it accolades from the industry and past clients.

A new innovation that the company has introduced is ‘Wine Time’ where each hotel shall provide a discounted drink offer for one hour prior to dinner. This enables everyone to socialise with their fellow traveller’s reliving the day’s highlights. This is described in more detail over a two-page listing of benefits when people travel with Grand Pacific Tours.

Grand Pacific Tours will continue to guarantee all published departure dates and prices and of course there is the peace of mind that all bookings must be made through a licensed Travel Agent.

Brochures are available now from Grand Pacific Tours and can be ordered or viewed online at www.grandpacifictours.com  or by calling 1800 622 768.

Setting sail from Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas the idyllic capital of the US Virgin Islands, you will find yourself in shopping heaven before embarking upon a 5 night journey around the Caribbean. Widely known as the duty free shopping capital of the world – Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas combines rich history with some of the world’s best shopping.

SeaDream I is an exclusive & intimate mega-yacht which hosts just 56 couples who are serviced by a team of 95 crew, providing a truly 5 star luxury experience.

Leading cruise holiday specialists ecruising Asia Pacific are providing you with this dream opportunity at a saving of up to 65%. Through ecruising you can enjoy 5 nights aboard luxury mega-yacht SeaDream I for only HK$19,249.00 usually HK$61,000.00

ecruising Asia Pacific is a fully registered and licensed travel agency who are specialists in cruise holidays. Recently launching their regional centre for Asia Pacific in Hong Kong, their team of dedicated customer service agents are providing Asia with a gateway to the world of cruising.

This exclusive package on SeaDream I includes all main meals, complimentary beverages, personal refreshment bar and entertainment. The mega-yacht also features an Award-winning Thai certified Spa (massage rooms, steam shower and sauna), Fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment, Outdoor whirlpool, pool and spa facilities.

Caribbean Itinerary

18 Jan - Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

19 Jan - Cruz Bay, St. John

20 Jan - Anguilla, British West Indies

21 Jan - Gustavia, St. Barthelemy

22 Jan - Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

23 Jan San Juan, Puerto Rico

Details
For sale until: 16 January 2009
Destinations: Caribbean
Ship: SeaDream I
Embarkation Port: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Duration: 5 Nights
Departure Dates: 18 Jan 2009

Other great cruise holidays available through ecruising Asia Pacific include:

China, Vietnam & Thailand HK$13,499.00
14 nights on board Costa Allegra from Hong Kong to Singapore. Departing 21 Feb 2009
For sale until: 21 February 2009
Destinations: Asia
Cruise Line: Costa
Ship: Costa Allegra
Embarkation Port: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 14 nights
Departure Dates: 21 February 2009

ecruising Asia Pacific can be contacted for information about cruise holiday products here and world-wide by simply visiting

 www.ecruising.travel/hk

or phoning (852) 3711 3238.

World Extreme surfing champion Garrett McNamara reveals his secrets to big wave surfing at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com.

“Some of my friends think I’m a madman. But I like seeking out and surfing the most dangerous waves that I can find,” says McNamara, speaking to Peggy Hall at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com.

From Hawaii to Alaska and everywhere in between, big-wave charger Garrett McNamara puts himself in such heavy situations that we mortals can only look at him in awe — not even envy — unless that is, you like wondering if you’re going to make it through your next surf session alive.

How does he do it? What in nature’s name gives this extreme surfing world champion such laser focus, drive, tenacity, toughness and sheer I-Know-I-Can-Do-This confidence? Just exactly what does he do to stay in such amazing shape for big-wave surfing?

Now you can find out. McNamara himself lays it all out in a just-released video clip right at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com

Listen in as he tells Peggy Hall his secret weapon for feeling “confident and secure” in life-threatening surf.

The good news is that even if you can’t surf the unfathomable waves that Garrett does, at least you can benefit from one of his training tools.

More secrets to better surfing are revealed at http://www.YogaforSurfers.com

Eighteen leisurely days cruising the islands of the South Pacific from Sydney to Hawaii is selling aboard the luxury Dawn Princess from just $2899pp twin-share – a saving of $800 per person over previously advertised prices if booked through ecruising.travel, and including a night post-cruise in Waikiki and air from Honolulu back to Sydney*.

The 77,500 tonne Dawn Princess will cruise out of Sydney on April 18 next year for four laid-back days at sea before visiting Nuku’alofa and Vava’u in Tonga, Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, a day and a night in Papeete, Moorea and Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Christmas Island, and two final days at sea before arriving in Honolulu where there’s a night at the Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio Hotel.

Dawn Princess, that’s the length of three football fields, offers Princess Cruises’ Anytime Dining with dishes created by chef-members of the famed Chaine des Rotisseurs gastronomic society, and a choice of a Traditional Dining Room, a specialty Steakhouse, 24-hour bistro, a poolside hamburger and hot dog grill, patisserie, pizzeria, and an ice-cream bar.

There’s also an extensive choice of bars and lounges, two nightly live-stage showrooms, late-release movies, four pools, a sports court, spa with ocean-view gym, and a “listening library.”

For full details phone 1300 369 848 or visit www.ecruising.travel

 * Air taxes and fuel surcharges applicable at time of booking are additional

Walks Worldwide’s 19-day Patagonian Adventure guided trek through a wild corner of the Andes, where ice and time have shaped an unbelievable landscape of breathtaking spires, dramatic glaciers, azure lakes and sub-Antarctic forests, should top lots of travellers’ wish lists for 2009! Even more so when you add in seductive Buenos Aires and isolated Tierra del Fuego, the ultimate end of the world experience for true adventure-seekers! Tours depart Buenos Aires every Friday and Sunday from now until March 09. (Fridays only Feb & March).

Sultry, seductive Buenos Aires, kick starts Walks Worldwide’s itinerary, where footwork here is more about seeking out the juiciest steak, and hottest tango venue! Trekking proper begins from El Chalten, gateway to Los Glaciares National Park.

From a stunning lagoon campsite, trek through the dense forest to impressive Chorillo Falls and Fitz Roy Base Camp for panoramic views of Cerro Poincenot and Mount Fitz Roy (3,441 metres). Visit magnificent Perito Moreno Glacier and watch giant icebergs crash into aquamarine waters below. Cross into Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park, for the next leg of the journey.

Trek beneath the majestic Paine massif, a colossus of granite with its hanging glaciers and views of ancient forests and distant Andean ranges. Ascend to Las Torres base camp, an amazing natural amphitheatre beneath vertical granite towers soaring 2,800 metres skyward, and picnic overlooking Grey Glacier, the largest and most spectacular glacier inside the park. On the final part of the journey travellers follow in the wake of early explorers, sailing across the Straits of Magellan to the ends of the earth, Tierra del Fuego.

The tour costs £2,395 p/p (land only) or from £3,195 p/p (with flights) including hotel, hosterias, refuge and camping accommodation, most meals, transfers, camping equipment and expert guiding.

Walks Worldwide
01524 242000
sales@walksworldwide.com
www.walksworldwide.com

oneworld® has become the first in the travel industry to sell multiairline
round-the-world air tickets on-line with its new internet booking tool for its oneworld Explorer fare. This also makes oneworld the first global airline alliance to offer any of its public fares for sale through the worldwide web.

The new on-line booking tool is available now through oneworld.com The alliance’s member airlines will add it to their own websites too or provide links from their internet sites to the oneworld.com facility – at www.oneworld.com/ow/flight-info/plan-and-book-your-itinerary
oneworld Explorer is among the most popular multi-airline tickets worldwide, enabling passengers to travel right around the globe using the flights of any of oneworld’s ten member airline and 20 or so affiliates, who together serve some 700 destinations in approaching 150 countries.

With the launch this new oneworld internet tool, customers or their travel agents can for the first time both plan their round-the-world itinerary and now book and pay for their tickets on-line. The system has a number of special features to make it as simple as possible for customers to plan oneworld Explorer round-the-world trips.

As they build their itinerary - simply by clicking on destinations displayed on the alliance’s interactive map - the system automatically checks availability and displays only flights that have seats available for each route and date selected. It also validates that the itinerary meets all the fare’s rules and conditions - and then provides an instant price for the trip. Once customers have finalised their itinerary - which can be of up to 16 sectors - they can pay online using a credit card (see notes) and print out all the details. The e-tickets for the entire trip are then sent to the customer by email.

oneworld Vice-President Commercial Nicolas Ferri said: “The tremendous value and flexibility our oneworld Explorer fares offer now combined with the ease and simplicity of planning, booking and paying on-line extends oneworld and our member airlines’ leading position for worldwide travel. We are delighted to be the first and only alliance - and indeed the first in the travel industry - to offer this level of convenience to our customers and travel agency partners, building further on our record of
innovation.”

The booking engine project has been led on behalf of all the alliance’s carriers by Qantas. Its General Manager Sales and Distribution Rob Gurney said: “With so many possibilities of places to visit and routes to take, planning and booking a round-the-world trip can be time-consuming - both for our customers and sales representatives. Our new, easy-to-use on-line booking and payment facility simplifies the entire operation, saving customers a huge amount of time and providing them with far more flexibility in planning their trips. It will also reduce costs for our member airlines and free up time of airline and travel agency reservations agents to handle other tasks.” oneworld first to sell alliance fares on-line…

Unlike other round-the-world fares, oneworld Explorer’s price is based on the number of continents visited (three to six), not the mileage flown, making planning and pricing journeys much more simple and flexible. It covers flights worldwide by all oneworld member and affiliate airlines.

With oneworld the only airline alliance with members based in South America, Australia or Asia’s Middle East, it is just the ticket for anyone who truly wants to circumnavigate the globe. It offers great flexibility and value, generating the largest portion of the US$725 million revenues earned by oneworld for its member airlines through its alliance fares and sales activities last year.

Around 50,000 people bought a oneworld Explorer round-the-world ticket last year. oneworld Explorer can be booked for travel in Economy, Premium Economy (where available), Business or even First Class, and earn frequent flyer programme mileage awards and tier status points. Prices from the USA start at US$3,900, from the UK at GBP1,349, from Euro-zone countries at EUR1,999, and from Australia at A$3,499, all excluding any taxes, charges and surcharges. For lead-in prices from other countries and full details, see www.oneworld.com/ow/air-traveloptions/
round-the-world-fares/oneworld-explorer#fare-estimate

The on-line booking tool build on oneworld’s record for innovation. More than three years ago, it became the first of the global alliances to put in place interline e-ticketing (IET) links between all members of the grouping, enabling customers to travel with the convenience of just one electronic ticket for journeys involving any combination of alliance’s member airlines. Rival alliances have only recently completed links between their own member airlines.

Initially, oneworld Explorer itineraries ticketed through British Airways (generally when the first sector flown is on British Airways) will still need to have their payment processed through a British Airways sales outlet rather than on-line. The airline ticketing the itinerary will be displayed in the reservations’ confirmation page, before the booking is completed and payment requested. oneworld Explorer sectors in Premium Economy cabins cannot at this stage be booked on-line. oneworld developed the on-line booking engine in cooperation with Innovata, the global leader in travel related content management and content distribution, and Amadeus, the global distribution system, which also supports the majority of oneworld’s member airlines.

About oneworld oneworld brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business - American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malév Hungarian Airlines, Qantas and Royal Jordanian, and around 20 affiliates including American Eagle, Dragonair, LAN Argentina, LAN Ecuador and LAN Peru. Mexicana and its affiliate Click Mexicana will join the alliance in 2009.

Between them, these airlines
:
• Serve almost 700 airports in nearly 150 countries, with more than 9,000 daily departures.
• Offer nearly 550 airport lounges for premium customers.
• Carry some 320 million passengers a year.
• Employ 250,000 people and operate almost 2,500 aircraft.
• Generate more than US$100 billion annual revenues.

oneworld is the only alliance with any member airlines based in Australia, South America or Asia’s Middle East. The alliance enables its members to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. These include a broader route network, opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles and points across the combined oneworld network and more airport lounges. oneworld was voted the World’s Leading Airline Alliance for the sixth year running in the 2008 World Travel Awards, retaining the title ever since it was first presented.

More trails for novice and family mountain bikers are ready for summer mountain biking at Coronet Peak as increased access to existing trails and service roads is made available.

Ski Area Manager Hamish McCrostie wants to open new trails using the existing road networks to provide more accessibility for lower levels of rider.

“Previously, expert and advanced riders have been well catered for and this summer we will respond to the call for easier trails that will help novice riders into the sport.

“This year there will be access to the M1 Million Dollar and Mid Gully trails and people can tuck in at the picnic table at the end of the newly available Tuck trail. These trails are in addition to the existing ‘Fall Line’ Downhill and the Rocky Gully Downhill Cross Country trails.”

The Coronet Peak Bike Park season opens on January 7 and will run until March 1. The park will be open 11.30 am till 7.30pm Tuesday through Sunday each week of the season, weather permitting. Closed on Mondays.

Season pass prices for the Park are unchanged from last year at $249 for adults and $199 for youth. A loyalty discount is available to holders of a 2008 winter season pass at $149 adult and $99 youth. The passes are available from the cafe on the mountain from January 7

Multi-day passes are also on offer including a One Day Multi-Ride pass available at $40 adult and $30 youth, a Five Day Multi-Ride pass available at $160 adult and $120 youth and a Single Ride pass for $17 adult and $12 youth.

Coronet Peak has also introduced a ‘try before you buy’ scheme where those buying a day lift pass can have the value of the day pass deducted from the price of a season pass if they subsequently buy the season pass on the same day as the single day pass was used.

“This allows people to buy a day pass, check out our trail network, then make the decision to buy a season pass. As long as they do so on the same day, they will have the day pass price deducted from their season pass.”

Mr McCrostie said the Bike Park provided great summer use of the facilities at Coronet Peak.

“Mountain biking is gaining in popularity around the world and is a good use of the Coronet Peak recreation reserve. The rolling terrain makes for superb mountain biking and it’s a great way for people to get into the mountains and enjoy facilities that would otherwise only be used during winter.

“Elite riders can push themselves to the limit throughout the season while families can enjoy a summer alpine day out taking the chairlift to the top of the mountain to appreciate the stunning alpine scenery and downhill action before coasting down the easier tracks.

“And best of all, there’s no need to ride uphill as access back to the top is by the Coronet Express Quad chairlift.”

Queenstown’s top outdoor adventure outfitters Outside Sports will provide a quality mountain bike rental service at the Bike Park base area.

Coronet Peak is hosting several mountain biking events this season. The NZONE Ultimate Jump Brake Burner (a six hour endurance race) takes place on February 7.

The National Mountain Bike series runs from 13 – 15 February 2009, the Vertigo Chain Free Downhill date is TBC.

 For more information on mountain biking at Coronet Peak visit www.nzski.com and click the ‘Summer’ tab.

Visitors and locals alike are encouraged to visit Coronet Peak this summer to enjoy the base facilities and spectacular views. A giant chess board, huge sundeck and café provide relaxed entertainment amongst the alpine atmosphere. Sightseeing passes to ride the chair for a spectacular view of the Southern Alps and the Wakatipu Valley are available.

Goes Farther And Faster To Achieve Top Results

New travel search engine nowfly.co.uk launches today, looking set to overhaul the standards of speed and accuracy established by other well-known market leaders. At a time when finding the best value option is more important than ever to travellers, nowfly.co.uk delivers equal or better fares than its rivals. And it is seriously quick, too.

Cleanly designed and easy to use, nowfly.co.uk was started by a group of online and travel experts with a clear objective to provide an easy, fun, and best priced way of finding a flight, hotel or car rental. The business is headed by Dan Hart, who has extensive experience in the online and travel sectors.

There are a number of factors which set nowfly.co.uk apart from its competitors:

• The site has gone through extensive usability testing and the results have shown that the site is clearly presented and easy to navigate.

• The content is broad and wide, searching more than 340 airlines with routes, fares and availability and giving the user essential information about booking their flight, hotel or car rental.

• The team studied the way flight results are presented with other travel and airlines websites and recognised that the user wants maximum flexibility when booking their flight itinerary. nowfly.co.uk uses an airline-style search, presenting results for each sector rather than lumping outbound and inbound options together.

• nowfly.co.uk searches low-cost, charter and scheduled airlines, giving a well-informed choice to the traveller, along with the flexibility to choose the best departure and arrival times.

• The site has third-party integration with leading, well-known travel sites as well as airlines, hotels and car rental suppliers.

• The website has geo-coded results for all the leading hotel chains and major consolidators, using the Google Maps Application Programming Interface (API) to visually place hotel results.

• Car rental options are found by using the leading car rental suppliers and consolidators globally.

• nowfly.co.uk uses the Ajax web application, retrieving data from the server asynchronously in the background. This means it loads before the user’s very eyes, without the need for a separate wait page.

Utilising cutting-edge technology, nowfly.co.uk is the first site in the UK to employ the full suite of the TRAVELfusion API. Dan has worked closely with TRAVELfusion over the past year. “I knew they were a great, innovative travel technology company and felt that they were the right people to work with,” Dan comments. “I believe that the combination of good content from TRAVELfusion, matched with a great user-face, is a compelling proposition for travellers booking trips online.”

Comments Moshe Rafiah, TRAVELfusion CEO: “This is exactly the kind of partnership that we envisioned when we created our XML API programme. By combining the most advanced travel search technologies developed by TRAVELfusion with innovative applications such as nowfly.co.uk, we have created a winning formula for success.”

TRAVELfusion is a world leader in constructing powerful travel search and web fare booking tools which search, aggregate, compare and book travel content from the web. Based around the company’s patented TRIPplannerXML platform, TRAVELfusion has integrated hundreds of travel suppliers including air, hotel, car, rail and ferry as well as adding its unique content generated directly by travel suppliers.

Money-saving price comparison websites have grown in reach and reputation over the last few years. According to a 2008 study undertaken by e-consultancy.com, Comparison Shopping Engines (CSEs) contributed to around 10% of online sales for retailers. Approximately 43% of these retailers claimed that their sales had increased in the last 12 months.

The next phase for nowfly.co.uk is to introduce further useful travel tips as well as community-based content to help users make better informed decisions.

The company will also run a number of marketing campaigns to keep users abreast of great travel offers, including ancillary products such as travel insurance, car parking and foreign currency. Product innovation and enhancement is key and will be driven forward to keep nowfly.co.uk looking fresh, without losing sight of the founding principle – fast and highly competitive travel search results every time.

About www.nowfly.co.uk:

nowfly.co.uk was established at the beginning of 2008. The management team comprises a mix of travel and online experts with extensive experience within these fields. The business is headed by Dan Hart, who has worked within the travel and online sectors for over 15 years. Dan worked within the Virgin Group for 12 years, initially starting his career at Virgin Atlantic and most recently with thetrainline.com.