HotelsByCity.net Users Can Search New ‘City Blogs’ for the Best Value on Airfares, Hotels, Car Rentals and More
SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 15, 2007–Travelocity Partner Network(R) has signed a new agreement with HotelsByCity.net – an innovative online travel site that promotes its travel content via the blogosphere and other social media – and will continue to power the site’s booking engine.
While the travel industry has embraced the concept of user-generated content as a means of creating a unique competitive advantage, HotelsByCity.net has taken the concept a step further by getting its customers to post hotel and travel content, in an inspiring, entertaining blog format and then allowing other consumers to book directly on those blogs. The company has recently launched its “City Blogs” feature and now has more than 200 writers blogging on more than 70 destinations.
“HotelsByCity’s blog network brings an entertaining perspective to HotelsByCity.net that is uniquely guest driven,” said Richard Harris, senior vice president, strategy and distribution, Travelocity. “We are happy to continue our mutually beneficial relationship with them in the coming year.”
“Rather than telling our customers what we think they should be interested in, we would rather let them learn from other customers,” said Randy Schartner, CEO and co-founder of HotelsByCity.net. “Our overall objective is to improve the process of searching and reviewing hotel options online, and we believe that interacting with our guests in an entertaining and informative way supports our objectives in the long run.”
“Through our hotel blog network, we see an opportunity to interact with and inspire our customers to purchase through our hotel and travel portal by delivering content that guests care about,” said Andrew Loewen, President and Co-founder of HotelsByCity.net. “Guests care about it because they create it.”
About HotelsByCity.net
HotelsByCity.net is an innovative online travel site that creates new and exciting ways to promote its unique travel content. Here, a customer can learn all about their destination before they leave the front door. Their 400+ hotel reservation websites have allowed HotelsByCity.net to make impressive strides in the online travel industry. How impressive? Their newsletter is sent to over 400,000 subscribers and there are 500+ city and country guides that have been written by their staff. They also provide blogs that focus on the traveler’s needs as well as hotel reviews that reveal the most honest information available. The Google Maps and VRX content also help eliminate those unpleasant surprises. HotelsByCity.net truly is a one-stop shop where travelers take advantage of the impressive tools made available to them.
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R) is committed to being the traveler’s champion – before, during and after the trip – and is the only online travel company that guarantees not just the price, but the entire travel experience – see www.travelocity.com/guarantee for details. This customer-driven focus, backed by 24/7 live phone support, great prices and powerful shopping technology has made Travelocity the sixth largest travel agency — booking $7.4 billion in travel worldwide in 2005. Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also owns and operates Travelocity Business(R) for corporate travelers, lastminute.com, a leader in European online travel and ZUJI, a leader in Asia-Pacific online travel. Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG), a world leader in travel commerce.
CONTACT: Travelocity
Joel Frey, 682-605-2178
joel.frey@travelocity.com
or
HotelsByCity.net
Randy Schartner, 204-943-7885
randy@hotelsbycity.com
SOURCE: Travelocity and HotelsByCity.net
