hotelbook.com Reports 21% Increase in Revenue

Utell Consumer Site Also Realizes Better Booking Rates

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. October 22, 2008

LONDON, UK, October 14, 2008. Utell Hotels & Resorts has reported a 21% increase in revenue to hotels from January to August 2008 on hotelbook.com, the representation service's consumer site offering more than 6,000 independent, boutique and small group hotels in 2,000 cities worldwide. The site is also reporting average stays of 2.8 days, and an average increase of $15 per night in booking rates compared to 2007.

Countering downward economic trends, Utell has dedicated resources in 2008 to improving bookings for hotels featured on hotelbook, including the redesign of the home page, the introduction of dedicated city microsites, search engine optimization initiatives and increased affiliate marketing activities. Sharon Wimborne, director of ecommerce for Utell, said the latest growth results are encouraging for hotels represented on hotelbook.

"We've further developed hotelbook this year to enable the independent and boutique hotels represented to better reach the travelers globally who are seeking a unique and personalized experience," said Wimborne. "The revenue results are evidence that our campaigns are delivering for both hotels and customers."

With the site's content and technology supported by Pegasus Solutions, hotelbook aims to sell the complete travel experience. In addition to rooms and special offers, the site offers comprehensive travel guides and award-winning podcasts. Key markets include the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

Bookings by U.K. and U.S. travelers have reflected a preference for domestic destinations. Nearly half of U.K. travelers have booked domestic destinations like Manchester, Edinburgh, and London; and 74% of U.S. customers have booked U.S. properties in destinations like New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami Beach. The data supports a trend towards vacations closer to home due to rising travel costs.

Additionally, U.K. travelers took greater advantage of hotelbook's global reach, with New York, Washington and San Francisco consistent favorites. While the U.S. preference by U.K. travelers may be explained by the increase in U.S. inbound travel due to a weakened dollar, U.K. travelers also regularly booked Barcelona, Paris and Tokyo.

"In reviewing the booking trends for hotelbook, we're pleased to see the hotels represented are attracting global business," added Wimborne. "Travelers come to our site knowing we'll offer the unique independent hotel experience they're seeking, and hotels use our site to maximize limited resources in appealing to those travelers - worldwide."