Travel industry keen on Ebay link-up

Travel industry suppliers are queuing up to distribute their products through online auctioneer eBay, following reports the site is in the process of ramping up its travel offering. Michael Hughes, head of sales and marketing for Cultuzz Media, the main accommodation provider to eBay, which is in the process of building a dynamic packaging function…

Travel industry suppliers are queuing up to distribute their products through online auctioneer eBay, following reports the site is in the process of ramping up its travel offering.

Michael Hughes, head of sales and marketing for Cultuzz Media, the main accommodation provider to eBay, which is in the process of building a dynamic packaging function for the online auction site, said several travel suppliers have expressed an interest to list their products on the site.

The overhaul of Ebay’s strategy for the travel sector, revealed by Travolution last week, is still to be confirmed by the online auction giant.

“I have been inundated with interest from the market,” Hughes said. A US-based vacation rental brand with 1,000 properties, a major global hotel chain and a couple of airlines, are among the industry suppliers who are keen to partner with Cultuzz and distribute their products through eBay.

Hughes will fly to eBay’s California headquarters later this month to take part in what he describes as a “global travel strategy” meeting.

Hughes added: “EBay has not said anything to us in the last week and it is likely to be a few more weeks before we have any further information.”