Travelocity grows Asia business with Zuji purchase

Sabre-owned Travelocity has gained a major foothold in Asia Pacific with the completion of a £19m deal for Singapore-based online travel business Zuji. The move continues the global expansion of the Sabre group which already owned almost 14% of the company. It said taking full ownership was “a natural progression” after being involved in its…

Sabre-owned Travelocity has gained a major foothold in Asia Pacific with the completion of a £19m deal for Singapore-based online travel business Zuji.


The move continues the global expansion of the Sabre group which already owned almost 14% of the company.


It said taking full ownership was “a natural progression” after being involved in its launch in 2002 as an investor and technology provider.


Zuji has operations and websites in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia, Korea and New Zealand, and features 60,000 hotels and 400 airlines.


It offers packages, car hire, attractions and cruises and is a big enthusiast of customer reviews – currently numbering 45,000.


Travelocity president and chief executive, Michelle Peluso, said the move, coupled with the acquisition last year of Lastminute.com, underlines its intention to expand across the globe.


“It is a natural progression for Travelocity to take full ownership of Zuji and the purchase positions us nicely for future growth in the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region,” she said.


“Our relationship with Zuji has given us a deep understanding of the business, the people, the challenges and the opportunities for online travel in the Asia-Pacific region.”


The existing synergies will ensure a smooth integration of the businesses, she added.


With a significant presence in the Asia Pacific market, Travelocity will now look to exploit its position by expanding further into China and launching in India.