Sabre offloads lastminute.com in fire sale
Travel technology group Sabre is braced for a big hit on its 2005 investment in UK travel website lastminute.com, when it sells the business to Swiss travel firm Bravofly Rumbo Group.
The binding deal values lastminute.com at $120 million, about a tenth of the price Sabre paid for it in 2005.
Sabre had been trying to offload lastminute for several months as it plans to focus on its core technology B2B businesses.
The agreement is for all lastminute.com’s operations in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.
It would continue to use the Sabre global distribution system.
"We believe in the value and strength of lastminute.com’s iconic brand, which is recognized by more than 90% of European consumers," Bravofly chairman Fabio Cannavale said in a statement.
"Its business complements and expands our offering in Europe and, with its strong presence in the hotel and vacation sector, diversifies our product revenue streams."
Bravofly Rumbo owns several travel brands including Volagratis, JetCost, Crocierissime, Viaggiare and Viajar.
In the late 1990’s, lastminute.com became the poster child of the dotcom bubble in the UK, with companies such as Starwood Hotels, priceline.com and Sony Music Entertainment investing in the startup.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Skyscanner reveals major travel trends 2026 at ITB Asia
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements