Opodo launches in France
Airline backed website Opodo launched in France today.
The French site is the third Opodo site to be launched, following Germany (December 2001) and the UK (January 2002).
In Germany, after the first four months of operation, Opodo was ranked the number two travel site behind the German National Railway site – Deutsche Bahn (Net Value, February 2002).
In the UK, according to internet research firm NetValue, Opodo was the third most visited UK travel site in February after Lastminute and Expedia.
Commenting on the launch of the French site, Opodo CEO Giovanni Bisignani said: “We have been delighted with our success so far in Germany and the UK and are looking forward to replicating it in France. We feel this is a key time to be launching throughout Europe as online travel is set to explode within the next 5 years, increasing from 4.5 billion euros to 38.7 billion euros (Forrester June 2001).”
He added: “Online travel is now a mature market and we are entering a period when a new generation of consumers will be looking to the web as the answer to their travel needs. Opodo will set a new standard in the online-travel industry, offering great fares, excellent 24/7 customer service provided by travel experts, and a web site that is easy-to-use and tailor-made for each country.”
Following the announcement in March that IATA has appointed Mr Bisignani as new director general and CEO, Opodo is currently seeking a new CEO.
See our previous stories:
28-Mar-2002 Online travel continues to grow
22-Mar-2002 IATA appoints Opodo chief as new director general and ceo
15-Mar-2002 Opodo third most visited UK travel site in February
07-Mar-2002 The TravelMole Interview: Jon Hart, MyTravel
05-Feb-2002 TravelMole Site of the Week: Opodo.co.uk
22-Jan-2002 Opodo launches in the UK
8-Jan-2002 Opodo appoints UK country manager
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