A further round of consolidation in the online holiday home rentals market has seen US giant HomeAway buy French market leader Abritel for an undisclosed fee. The deal has coincided with news that the founders of Alando (now Ebay Germany) and Jamba, a trio of brothers who created the European Founders Fund, have become investors…
HomeAway continues European expansion
A further round of consolidation in the online holiday home rentals market has seen US giant HomeAway buy French market leader Abritel for an undisclosed fee.
The deal has coincided with news that the founders of Alando (now Ebay Germany) and Jamba, a trio of brothers who created the European Founders Fund, have become investors and advisors in the company.
Alexander, Marc and Oliver Samwer created the EFF to establish a platform that will allow them to buy into young internet and technology companies.
The Abritel acquisition follows similar deals for the UK and German sites, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk and Fewo-Direkt, alongside the purchase of US competitor VRBO.com in November last year.
HomeAway secured $160 million in funding last year in its bid to grow the business in both US and Europe.
Europe managing director, Alexis de Belloy, said: “At HomeAway we are committed to offering holiday home owners the most efficient way to market their property, and to helping travellers find the perfect holiday home rental.
“Abritel.fr shares in this commitment and accelerates HomeAway’s efforts to bring holiday rentals to the mainstream travel industry.”
