Released on: June 9, 2008, 12:24 am

Press Release Author: Vicki

Industry: Transportation & Logistics

Press Release Summary: Wotif.com is in reality one of the few remaining last minute
websites entirely using the last minute model with NeedItNow.com and
LastMinute.com.au previously making the move to a 365 day model.


Press Release Body: Australia, June 09 2008 --Last Minute Model Facing Extinction?
After the Acquisition of Travel.com.au, Wotif.com to go 365 Days - Research by
HotelsCombined.com

It has become evident in recent times that there has been a shift away from the last
minute model with sites such as Wotif.com to go 365 days. Moreover, according to a
recent study by HotelsCombined.com these last minute distribution sites including
Wotif.com, NeedItNow.com and LastMinute.com.au are no longer offering the best
available rates.

Much hype was created in the hotel industry with the launch of Wotif.com in March
2000 when it offered a 14 day booking window. Before this time hotels relied on
global distribution systems (GDS) to assist in selling their hotel rooms with
dynamic pricing not yet coming into existence. Wotif.com gave hotels what they
needed offering a simple system to effectively yield manage their distressed
inventory. Wotif.com capitalized on this for several years then in October 2005 they
extended to 28 day booking window. At present, according to an ASX announcement
published on May 8, 2008 it is confirmed that a 365 day model is coming. It is
interesting to note that Wotif.com is in reality one of the few remaining last
minute websites entirely using the last minute model with NeedItNow.com and
LastMinute.com.au previously making the move to a 365 day model.

Clearly we can see that there is a movement away from the last minute model, so the
question needs to be asked if these sites are no longer distressed inventory sites,
are they just another distribution channel? HotelsCombined.com has taken this
question to see if there are any points of difference that these last minute sites
have against other third party intermediaries.

After taking a sample of twenty-five hotels within five major Australian capital
cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) the results indicate that
Wotif.com, NeedItNow.com and LastMinute.com.au are just another distribution channel
with non last minute providers on HotelsCombined.com offering better available
rates. For results go to http://www.hotelscombined.com/AboutUs/Press/LastMinute.aspx

About HotelsCombined.com
HotelsCombined.com is a hotel search engine containing the largest hotel database
worldwide. Featuring hotels in 20,000 destinations across 195 countries, with over
800,000 hotel deals from direct hotel listings and over 30 of the most visited
travel websites including AsiaRooms.com, Booking.com, Cheaptickets.com, Expedia.com,
Hotel.info, HotelClub.com, Hotels.com, InterContinental.com, Obitz.com,
Priceline.com, ReserveTravel.com, Venere.com.
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Contact:
Vicki
HotelsCombined.com
Mosman 2088
NSW Australia
Vicki@HotelsCombined.com
http://www.hotelscombined.com/






Web Site: http://www.hotelscombined.com

Contact Details: Vicki
HotelsCombined.com
Mosman 2088
NSW Australia
Vicki@HotelsCombined.com
http://www.hotelscombined.com/