INTERVAL INTERNATIONAL LAUNCHES ONLINE CRUISE BOOKING ENGINE
Site Powered By WWTE - Expedia's Private Label Division
Miami, Florida, April 12, 2004 - Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company, today announced that U.S. members will be able to reserve cruises online through a sophisticated booking engine powered by WWTET on its members' only Web site, IntervalWorld.com. The cruise section now showcases thousands of sailings to worldwide ports of calls on more than 85 ships, representing nine internationally recognized cruise lines.
"We know that our members are heavy cruisers since the most recent U.S. membership study reveals that 29% of them have taken a cruise within the last three years, compared with only nine percent of the general population," said Ann McMaster , assistant vice president of Consumer Marketing for Interval International. "The new online benefit greatly enhances our members' abilities to explore their options and book the cruise that matches all their criteria in real time."
WWTE is the private label division of Expedia®, which employs industry-leading, easy-to-use features such as intricate search capabilities and virtual tours of ships and cabins. Detailed information on itineraries and amenities, as well as cruise reviews and photographs, are also available providing members all the information they need to plan and book a cruise.
For those who prefer to book through the Interval Travel Cruise Desk, a telephone reservation service option is also available seven days a week. The Cruise Desk has been operating since 1997 in response to the growing interest in cruising and services the needs of the company's consumer member families. Major cruise lines, including Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian (NCL), Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean International, have all recognized Interval Travel as a top booking agency. These awards are based on a number of criteria, including excellence in sales, professionalism in all aspects of customer service, and outstanding support of the cruise industry.
About Interval International
Since 1976, Interval International has led the vacation ownership industry with innovative products and the highest levels of quality, service and value complemented by a global network of 2,000 resorts in 75 countries. With its headquarters located in Miami, Florida, Interval employs nearly 1,700 people worldwide and serves its developer clients and more than 1.5 million member families through 26 offices in 17 countries. Interval provides its members - timeshare owners from around the world - with a variety of exchange services and year-round travel related benefits to enhance their vacation experiences. Interval International is an operating business of IAC.
About WWTE
WWTE, operated by Expedia, Inc., provides private label booking solutions for travel suppliers looking to enhance their product offerings. The WWTE private label solution gives travel suppliers the ability to enhance their own Web sites with industry leading cross-sell and dynamic packaging solutions offering access to highly competitive travel products and services. Additional information about WWTE can be found at www.wwte.com. Expedia, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IAC (NASDAQ: IACI). CST: 2029030-40
