Web ‘too crowded’ for more travel brands
WTM Special Report: Lowcostbeds.com is launching destination-specific websites in the belief that consumers are bamboozled by online travel brands.
Speaking to TravelMole, Lowcostbeds chief executive Paul Evans said: “I am going to build a low cost brand with a destination focus because it’s only going to get more crowded in the online travel sector.
“It’s a good way to go because people will remember a destination and the low cost brand over yet another travel brand. They go into a search engine and type their preferred holiday destination – in fact a destination-specific search term is the second most common used in travel searches.”
The first destination to be launched by Lowcostbeds will be Ibiza, which will be ready in about two or three months, according to Evans.
Evans said the company has not yet decided on other destinations, but confirmed that all will have a ‘lowcost’ URL, for example www.lowcostibiza.com. He said: “We’ve spent a fortune on URLs.”
He also added that Lowcostbeds intends to work with the relevant tourist boards to add country-specific information such as weather, currency, country guides and maps. He said that the websites, which are still in a trial phase, would initially use existing lowcostbeds.com inventory, with more added as the destination required it.
Evans added that the site would sell luxury properties alongside less expensive hotels, and says he prefers selling four or five star because of the higher margin. He added: “As soon as people go onto the internet, they are discerning customers, they shop online because they see it is the low cost channel.”
Report by Ginny McGrath
Ginny McGrath
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 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
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