Europe puts Trust in HotelClub.net

SYDNEY 7 April 2003 – Australian based, online accommodation provider, HotelClub.net’s (www.HotelClub.net) position as a major player in the European market has been further consolidated after achieving “Trusted Shop Certification”.

HotelClub.net is the first company in the online accommodation space globally to achieve the certification and is also the first Australian based site to be granted certification (across all categories).

The Trusted Shops Certification means consumers can access HotelClub.net with an added sense of security. The Certification provides worry free, safe and secure shopping on the Internet – customers are provided with a money back guarantee, a variety of warranties and insurances against financial loss due to non-delivery or return of goods. It also provides credit card fraud protection, with strict rules regarding security and privacy.

Ms Chloe Lim, Head of Sales and Marketing, HotelClub.net, said: “ We are very excited about obtaining the Trusted Shops Certification. Not only does it give us an edge above our competitors in the European Market, it highlights that our site/s are of exceptional standards in terms of service, security and delivery and that is something that we are constantly striving to obtain.”

Trusted Shops was created in early 2000, integrating consumer groups’ demands for clear and complete identification of online shops. Due to the stringent tests and requirements with regard to security, credibility and the delivery of service, the Trusted Shops Certification is highly valued in Europe. It was formed in close cooperation with consumer protection agencies with primary support from the European Union. The Trusted Shops system is currently spreading across Europe, with particular focus on Germany, France, United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavia.

HotelClub.net applied for the certification as a commitment to its customers, but also to obtain the security advantages and additional sales benefits the Trusted Shops Certification provides – a substantial percentage of all online shopping baskets are emptied before the final purchase is made, so by reducing the number of purchases cancelled before checkout, the potential for sales is improved.

The Trusted Shops Certification also helps to protect HotelClub.net from e-commerce risks including non-payment and against attacks by hackers and viruses.

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For further information please contact:
Lisa Pickard / Nicole Reading
Icon Communications
Tel: 02 9231 1103
Email: [email protected] , [email protected]

Chloe Lim
Head of Sales and Marketing
HotelClub.net
Tel: +61 28295 0431
Fax: +61 29299 8860
Email: [email protected]

About HotelClub.net
Hotelclub.net is Australia’s largest online accommodation provider. A full accommodation provider, HotelClub.net is a “full service” website offering hotel bookings for up to 12 months ahead. It offers a choice of over 5000 hotels – at savings of up to 60% – in 33 countries and 700 cities worldwide. It is the only Australian website to feature downloadable maps of hotel locations. HotelClub.net a global online travel/accommodation service and features its services in six languages, English, French, German, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish. Its head office is in Sydney and customer and product offices in UK, France, Italy, Russia, Spain and Germany. Personal and corporate memberships to HotelClub.net are available that provide additional discounts and services.