Online Travel Agent Group launches late-booking site
The Online Travel Agent Group has brought forward the launch of BookingLate.com to take advantage of what it expects to be a buoyant late sales market.
Claiming to offer discounts of up to 50% on selected deals from major tour operators, it also offers dynamic packages of flights and hotels.
BookingLate.com is the first of a number of new brands planned by travel entrepreneur John Mclean, who founded the Late Escapes Group before its acquisition by Airtours (My Travel plc).
Mclean, CEO of the Online Travel Agent Group, said: "Unforeseen global factors such as the Icelandic ash cloud last year and the current unrest in North Africa and the Middle East have contributed to the decline in consumer confidence for booking holidays in advance.
"Customers want to know that they will definitely get to their destinations without any disruption."
BookingLate.com has launched to specifically target the last minute bookings market. Its products are ABTA bonded and ATOL protected.
Mclean added: "For too long the late bookings market has been dominated by one or two names and we felt it was time to challenge this. Healthy competition can only be good for consumers."
The group will launch MyWayTravel.com and MyWayCruise.com to the industry in April. Mclean added: "These are the first of what will be a number of strong brands aimed at specific demographics and travel types."
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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