…increase its user base from 15 million in 2008 to 26 million in 2012. In addition to its strengthening hotel business, we believe that Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ:TZOO)’s rising mobile traffic and social media integration places it in a good position to further expand its user base by leveraging future growth in the online travel industry.
TripAdvisor Will See A Soft Patch This Year But Big Growth Is Still Ahead (Seeking Alpha)
Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) started its fiscal 2013 on a strong note with a 25% and 30% increase in its Q1 2013 revenues and EBITDA respectively. However the growth rate will slow down for the next two quarters as the company transitions completely to the meta display feature. Despite the temporary slowdown, we think that the rising traffic, a strong member base and increasing content will help Tripadvisor Inc (NASDAQ:TRIP) regain its growth momentum in the future. With over 50% of its global traffic using the meta feature, TripAdvisor claims to be witnessing higher conversion rates on meta display.
Hotels bookings boost Orbitz 1Q profit; shares leap [Chicago Tribune] (Businessweek)
Online travel agency Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:OWW) said Thursday it turned a profit in the first quarter thanks to higher hotel room bookings and sales of its vacation packages. The Chicago company reported a profit of $146.2 million, or $1.34 per share in the quarter that ended March 31, compared with a year-ago loss of $6.5 million, or 6 cents per share. Revenue rose 7 percent to $202.9 million. Shares responded by rising more than 21 percent, to close at $7.82. Orbitz Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:OWW) said it sold 14 percent more room nights in the first quarter than it did a year ago, while hotel revenue overall jumped 27 percent.
Expedia rolls out its latest ad campaign in India (Moneycontrol.com)
With travel season kicking off, Expedia Inc (NASDAQ:EXPE), the world’s largest online travel company, has announced the launch of its latest advertising campaign in India. Conceptualized by Lowe Lintas, the campaign is aimed at igniting the hunger for travel amongst its audience. It centres on the insight that the world we live in is rapidly changing and with it are the reasons for travel. Today, travel is no longer a luxury but deemed more of a necessity and moreover it adds to ones social status, especially among one’s peers. In today’s stressed world, travel often is the respite that helps people rejuvenate and relax, adding to wonderful and pleasant memories. The campaign hinges on this central theme and has been rolled out nationally across print, digital, radio and television mediums.
Priceline Given a $924.00 Price Target at Credit Suisse (PCLN) (Mideast Time)
Equities research analysts at Credit Suisse set a $924.00 price target on shares of Priceline.com Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) stock in a research note issued to investors on Friday, AnalystRatingsNetwork reports. Other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Analysts at Raymond James reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Priceline in a research note to investors on Wednesday. They now have a $840.00 price target on the stock. Separately, analysts at Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Priceline.com Inc (NASDAQ:PCLN) in a research note to investors on Tuesday. They now have a $800.00 price target on the stock.
