Orbitz to migrate ebookers to global platform

Orbitz Worldwide is hoping that its ebookers sites in the European region would switch onto its worldwide platform towards the end of the year. However, it is discontent that its accommodation-brand Hotelclub is still below the performance of its competitors.

The information was revealed when the Orbitz Worldwide’s 2008 second quarter earnings was under discussion during a conference call.

In 2007, ebookers sites in the Ireland and UK, migrated onto the global platform. And by July, Belgium followed suite, trailed by Austria and the Netherlands.

Steve Barnhart, CEO of Orbitz, was quoted as saying in news reports that they are on target to finish movement of all ebookers onto the global platform towards the end of the year.

Barnhart added that the biggest technological hurdles that were necessary for introducing the platform in Europe are now finished.

In the second quarter, gross bookings for ebookers were higher by a whopping 50%. In the last four quarters, ebookers has observed a growth incline of 43%.

According to news reports, although the main European markets are still utilizing the previous platform, the most significant growth comes from markets in the Continental European region.

In effect, the global platform is well suited for SEO or search engine optimization. Barnhart continued to say that Orbitz is noticing a significant increase in traffic from SEO wherever the new platform has been introduced in Europe.

Conversely, Orbitz.com’s international brand, Hotelclub, observed a decline for the second quarter. One of Orbitz’s strategy is to monetise traffic to its site via advertising. Ad revenues were up for the first half of the year by 25%.

Please visit www.ebookers.com, www.hotelclub.com and www.orbitz.com for more