According to Sabre Holdings, Travelosity is the sixth-largest travel agency (the second largest online travel agency) in the United States. In addition to its primary US consumer site, Travelocity operates a full-service business agency, Travelocity Business, and comparable websites in Canada, Germany, France, the Scandinavian countries, and the United Kingdom, and is a partner in Asian travel hubs Tabini and Zuji. Other brands include Site59.com, a last-minute travel technology and content provider, World Choice Travel, a travel affiliate marketing program, and Showtickets.com, a tour and ticket broker in Las Vegas.
History
Travelocity was created in 1996, as a subsidiary of Sabre Holdings, itself a subsidiary of American Airlines and was run by long-time Sabre I.T. executive Terrell B. "Terry" Jones. As one of the pioneers of web-based disintermediation, Travelocity.com was the first website that allowed consumers themselves (acting without the help of a travel agent or broker) not only to access Sabre's fare and schedule information, but also to reserve, book, and purchase tickets. In addition to airfares, the site also permits consumers to book hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises, and packaged vacations.
Travelocity gained momentum after the AOL keyword Travel became associated with the brand in 1999. In 2000, Sabre negotiated a merger of Travelocity with another early web travel company, Preview Travel. The resulting company was independently quoted on the NASDAQ exchange, with Sabre continuing to own around 30% of the combined company's stock, but around 70% of the voting rights. In 2002, with Travelocity's fortunes suffering from competition including Expedia and Orbitz, Sabre consummated a tender offer for the remainder of the outstanding shares in Travelocity and remerged the business into Sabre as a subsidiary. Jones left the company shortly afterward.
In 2005, Travelocity acquired lastminute.com to take in excess of 30 more brands under its banner in the UK.
Under current CEO Michelle Peluso’s leadership, Travelocity has developed and launched a merchant hotel business, dynamic packaging functionality, and a private-label (ASP) distribution network, the Travelocity Partner Network. As of early 2005, many members of Peluso’s former management team at Site59 now hold senior management positions at Travelocity, namely Jeffrey Glueck (Chief Marketing Officer), Damon Tassone (Deputy CEO, lastminute.com), Tracey Weber (COO, North America), Richard Harris (Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development), Josh Feuerstein (Group Manager Director at lastminute.com and Senior Vice President and Hotel Segment Manger for Sabre Holdings), Josh Hartmann (Vice President, Software Development) and Jonathan Perkel (Vice President & Deputy General Counsel).
Trivia
Travelocity was a sponsor of the TV series The Amazing Race from the 7th season to the 9th season and 11th season.
Their current mascot is known as the "The Roaming Gnome". The voiceover gives three myths. The first two are travel difficulties that are easily solved by the Gnome using solutions related to Travelocity. The third is a random problem that the Gnome "solves" humorously. He is mostly used in radio commercials, but has been used in a few television commercials.
Travelocity's current slogan is "You'll never roam alone."
Travelocity also offers Gay and Lesbian friendly hotels and resorts that are bookable online.
Travelocity was runner-up in TravelMole.Com's 2004 Travel & Tourism Web Awards in the category of "Best Online-only Agency", losing out to Travellerspoint.
Travelosity
