Trade Me buys Holiday Houses

31 March 2009
Media Release – For Immediate Release

Trade Me buys Holiday Houses

New Zealand’s largest eCommerce business Trade Me today announced they have acquired www.holidayhouses.co.nz an online holiday accommodation booking business for an undisclosed sum.

“Holiday Houses has a great brand, a strong following and the widest selection of holiday home and bach accommodation in New Zealand,” said Trade Me CEO Jon Macdonald.

“Bill and Julie Stalker have done a great job launching and building the site, and now we’re looking forward to working with them to take it to the next level over the next couple of years”.

As part of the transaction Bill Stalker will continue to be involved in the daily management. At this stage Trade Me does not plan to integrate Holiday Houses into the Trade Me family of sites, but rather focus on user interface and functionality. Unlike Trade Me’s Travelbug website which focuses on motels and hotels, Holiday Houses focuses on family-owned private houses.

“Holiday Houses is a proven product and we don’t want to mess it up. We’ll stay true to its consumer focus, which is entirely consistent with our approach to Trade Me” said Mr Macdonald.

Stalker says he is delighted with the deal.

“Julie and I have put our heart and soul into Holiday Houses over the last nine years,” said Mr Stalker.

“Right from the start we got a good feeling from Jon and the Trade Me team and figured they were the right people to further grow the site. We look forward to working with them over the coming years,” he said.

www.holidayhouses.co.nz was set up in 2000 and has over 5300 holiday home, bach and accommodation listings. Focusing on privately owned houses the site features customised searches, interactive maps and the ability for guests to place feedback on their stays. Trade Me is acquiring 100% of Red Rock Ltd, the legal entity that owns all the business interests of www.holidayhouses.co.nz .

ENDS

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