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CFO of ebookers says all of the indications are there for European internet travel to get similar growth to US Full article published: 04/18/2003     NIGEL ADDISON SMITH is the Chief Financial Officer of ebookers plc


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TWST: Could you give us a brief overview of ebookers (London:EBR.L; NasdaqNM:EBKR)?

Mr. Addison Smith: Yes, ebookers is European’s leading online travel agency selling to customers in 11 European countries – UK, France, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Holland, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland. It specialises in the mid- and long-haul modular leisure segments of the European travel industry. It also specialises in selling discount merchant fares, which are negotiated directly with leading travel suppliers in order to help them sell their excess capacity without damaging their pricing structure and brands. ebookers has a unique low-cost BPO facility in New Delhi, India with a staff of over 400, which carries out 14 separate functions from email sales to software development. The Company has a multi brand marketing strategy. Its brands include ebookers.com, Flightbookers, and following the acquisition of Travelbag in January 2003, Travelbag, Travelbag Adventures Bridge the World, and MrJet. ebookers plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and quoted on Nasdaq in the United States of America.

TWST: And what is your market strategy that you employ to increase your customer base?

Mr. Addison Smith: We have both an on and off line marketing strategy. We advertise through google.com and msn online and some of the other portals we have here. Offline, we advertise through the local and national newspapers all over Europe and do certain amounts of radio advertising as well. Our offline advertising always encourages customers to book online.

TWST: What are some of the competitive advantages that you have to secure your market position?

Mr. Addison Smith: One of the key competitive advantages that we have is that our back office facility in Delhi, it enables us to be open 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week. We are not aware of any of our major competitors who have that capability. We can deal with e-mail queries, online sales, and can alter the products availability on our website. We can get tickets out to customers. At times some of our competitors are actually losing business because of their inability to do this. Our other competitive advantages include the experience of our management, nearly all of whom have over 15 years experience in the travel industry, where key relationships are hugely important to secure the best deals. For example, it took our parent company nearly 15 years to win a preferred partnership deal with British Airways. Our India facility means we can effectively track our competitors prices and maintain excellent deals. We offer an unmatched range of deal and destinations which means out customers have greater choice and we also have excellent trechnology. Finally our custom,ers trust us – Flightbookers and ebookers, as well as the new Travelbag brands are trusted and well known brands which gives us an immediate advantage over our competitors.

TWST: What are some of the key points that investors should consider when looking at your stock?

Mr. Addison Smith: I think that in the United States Expedia and Travelocity have clearly demonstrated the power of internet travel for the consumer, whereas here in Europe it is still at infancy and therefore all of the indications are that we will get similar growth here in the European market, including in the online travel sector. This sector is growing incredibly fast, and that recognition is yet to fully shine through in our share price.


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This interview is a small excerpt from a comprehensive interview published in The Wall Street Transcript on 04/18/03. For more information call (212) 952 7400. The Wall Street Transcript does not endorse any of the comments made by interviewees, and does not make stock recommendations.

Copyright 2003, Wall Street Transcript Corp.

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