Active Hotels Wins 'Growth Strategy Of The Year' At The National Business Awards Regional Final
UNITED KINGDOM, July 29, 2005. Active Hotels, one of Europe's leading online hotel reservations providers, has won the 'Growth Strategy of the Year' award in the regional heats of the National Business Awards.
Active Hotels was selected amongst hundreds of companies that entered the Midlands and East of England heats and consequently has secured a place in the national final in November. The judges of this award looked for the organisation that best demonstrated an organic growth strategy (rather than merger & acquisition activity) achieving outstanding levels of sales, profit and market share improvement.
Adrian Currie, Chief Financial Officer, Active Hotels accepted the award at a ceremony held at the Coventry Hilton. He stated: "I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of Active Hotels. Since the company's inception in 1999, we have focused on building a successful business by providing a differentiated and global online presence for European independent and group hotels ranging from B&B through to five star. As the business goes from strength to strength, we look forward to our continued expansion across Europe."
Active Hotels initially targeted smaller, independent hotels and B&B's by providing an online presence free of set-up charges and only taking a commission on any guest visits generated for the hotels. In addition, hotels without the necessary technology were given it free of charge and this helped attract over 1,000 UK hotels during Active's first year of business. Once Active became profitable in early 2003, the company expanded its offering across Europe, promoting all types of properties ranging from regional independents to luxury city-centre properties.
Active Hotels was acquired by US-based priceline.com in September 2004 in order for priceline.com to invest in the growing European travel market and develop the Active Hotels business both organically and through acquisition. Subsequent to the awards, in July 2005, priceline.com acquired Amsterdam-based Bookings B.V. to complement its investment in Active Hotels. Combined, Active Hotels and Bookings have negotiated exclusive rates with almost 18,000 hotel properties, which the companies believe is more than any other European Internet hotel reservation service.
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