| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 15/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 36 |
| Copyright: Other |
Hotel finder
LeisureHunt launches mobile Internet service
Report by TANYAJEFFERIES
ON-LINE accommodation specialist LeisureHunt has launched its hotel finder on BT Cellnet’s mobile Internet service.The service will allow owners of the generation of mobile phones with Internet access to search a database of 100,000 hotels worldwide. Up to 10 properties at a time will be listed with telephone numbers, and users will be given the option to connect directly to make a reservation.
Eventually, LeisureHunt intends to introduce an on-line booking and confirmation service for mobile phone users. Chief executive Tony Prior said its hotel finder will be marketed under BT Cellnet’s Genie brand. Although LeisureHunt has its own Web site, it concentrates on selling its services to other on-line operators.
“Our strategy is to provide a complete on-line accommodation service to other leading Internet brands and on-line travel sites,” said Prior.
He is confident that booking travel over mobile phones will take off in the coming years.
“The challenge is adapting content to this environment,” he said. “On a desktop you can use a lot of content, but you have to deliver very specific information to a mobile phone user.”
The Suffolk-based company, generated £820,000 worth of accommodation transactions last year and forecasts a 150% increase in sales for this year. It has announced plans to join the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange next month, a move intended to raise £15m to extend operations across Europe. Prior also wants to acquire new content for LeisureHunt’s sites. The address is www.leisurehunt.com or wap.leisurehunt.com.
Far reaching: the service allows worldwide accommodation bookings to places such as Hong Kong