| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 18/09/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 57 |
| Copyright: Other |
Tv bookings
Holiday Autos gets 200 visitors to digital TVsite
ABOUT 200 people a week are visiting Holiday Autos’ new digital television site but few are daring to make a booking, according to group e-commerce director Mathew Hart.
The car-rental broker went live on Telewest’s digital television service in July, becoming the first travel-related company to offer a real-time booking facility. Avis, Hertz, British Airways and Thomas Cook all have sites but they are advertising only – customers have to phone the individual companies to make bookings.
“We didn’t expect it to drive many bookings in its early days, but people are recognising it is a good place to get information and a quote, and then they can book through an agent,” said Hart.
Clients get a £5 discount on all bookings made using the digital service.
“We have kept the booking process very quick and simple, with just six clicks necessary to make a booking,” he added.
“If digital providers’ predictions hold true, this will be the Internet for the masses.”
Telewest estimates it has 500,000 subscribers nationwide.
Digital times: customers are using Holiday Autos’ new digital service for information but are continuing to book car rental through agents