News

Holidayandmore and MySabre merger talks

(25 August 2005)

Trade dynamic packaging brands Holidayandmore and MySabre could merge in the first move of consolidation following Sabre’s £577 million purchase of Lastminute.com.

Exploratory talks were held last week at Sabre’s Hounslow head office between the bosses of the two dynamic packaging brands.

A merger would maximise the enlarged group’s content and distribution strength. MySabre was launched last June as part of the predominantly business travel global distribution system supplier’s move into the dynamic packaging leisure market.

However, the system lacks the non-air content of Holidayandmore’s product, which includes Lastminute’s brands such as Medhotels and Holiday Autos.

Despite Holidayandmore having signed up around 1,200 independent agents since its launch in January, a tie-up with Sabre’s system would give it access to the desktop of a much wider number of agencies.

Holidayandmore general manager Vic Darvey said the deal would dramatically increase its distribution, as only two of its agency customers are Sabre users.

“We are very pleased with the progress on Holidayandmore. In the eight months it has been going, we’ve signed up almost 20% of the independent market. But Sabre would allow us to increase our exposure.”

Meanwhile, a Lastminute delegation is visiting Sabre in the US this week for discussions on the best way to integrate the group’s technology systems.