Hotelscombined: Australian-Owned? Exploring The Company's Roots

is hotelscombined australian owned

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine and travel portal that offers customers their choice of accommodation and travel insights. The company was founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen and Michael Doubinski, with headquarters in Sydney, Australia. HotelsCombined operates in over 42 languages, handles 130 different currencies and aggregates more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains. In 2018, HotelsCombined was acquired by Booking Holdings Inc. in what was considered one of the largest technology acquisitions of an Australian-founded travel company.

Characteristics Values
Year founded 2005
Headquarters Sydney, Australia
Number of employees 65-200
Industry Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services, Information Services (B2C)
Website features Available in over 42 languages, handles 130 different currencies, aggregates more than 2 million deals from travel sites and hotel chains
Awards "Website of the Year" by TRAVELtech in 2010, "World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website 2013" by World Travel Awards, "World's Leading Hotel Price Comparison Site" by World Travel Awards in 2014

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HotelsCombined is Australian-owned and was founded in 2005

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine and a unit of Booking Holdings. It is indeed Australian-owned, with headquarters in Sydney, Australia. The company was founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen, and Michael Doubinski, all former employees of HotelClub. The idea behind HotelsCombined was to create an all-encompassing hotel site where users could access the best rates from a variety of top travel sites in one place.

HotelsCombined's website is available in over 42 languages, handles 130 different currencies, and aggregates more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains. It compares prices from over 200 travel websites, enabling travellers to search and compare hotel rates and review hotel ratings from external sites in one search. The company employs over 200 staff and has been recognised multiple times for its achievements.

In 2010, HotelsCombined won TRAVELtech "Website of the Year" and was a finalist in the Telstra 2010 Business Awards. It was also awarded ninth place in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific Ranking and was declared one of the top 10 travel websites by guidebook author Arthur Frommer. In 2011, it was again named one of the top 10 ranking Australian businesses in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Program.

In 2013, HotelsCombined won the "World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website 2013" at the World Travel Awards, and in 2014, it was named the "World's Leading Hotel Price Comparison Site" for the second year in a row. The company's Hotel Price Trend reports have been covered in publications worldwide, including the L.A. Times, the Gulf Daily News, and The Australian.

In July 2018, Booking Holdings acquired HotelsCombined, and it is understood to be one of the largest technology acquisitions of an Australian-founded travel company in recent years.

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It has headquarters in Sydney, Australia, and 65 employees

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine and online travel portal that was founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen, and Michael Doubinski. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has 65 employees across all its locations.

The idea for HotelsCombined was conceived when its founders recognised the need for an all-encompassing hotel site where users could access the best rates from various top travel sites in one place. Within a year of launching the website, the co-founders hired their first employee. The company now operates in over 42 languages, handles 130 different currencies, and aggregates more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains.

HotelsCombined has been recognised for its achievements in the travel industry, winning the "'World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website 2013" at the World Travel Awards. The company's Hotel Price Trend reports, which show hotel price trends across major travel sites and hotel chains, have been featured in publications worldwide, including the L.A. Times, the Gulf Daily News, and The Australian.

In 2018, HotelsCombined was acquired by Booking Holdings, becoming one of the largest technology acquisitions of an Australian-founded travel company in recent years. Despite the acquisition, HotelsCombined continues to operate as a subsidiary, with a significant presence in the Australian market. The company's headquarters remain in Sydney, Australia, and it maintains a dedicated team of employees to support its operations.

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The metasearch engine compares prices from 200+ travel sites

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine that was founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen, and Michael Doubinski. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, HotelsCombined is a unit of Booking Holdings, which acquired the company in 2018.

HotelsCombined has been recognised for its achievements in the travel industry, winning the "World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website" award at the World Travel Awards in 2013. In 2014, they were named the "World's Leading Hotel Price Comparison Site" for the second consecutive year.

The company's Hotel Price Trend reports, which aggregate hotel price trends across major travel sites and hotel chains, have been featured in publications worldwide, including the L.A. Times, the Gulf Daily News, and The Australian.

In addition to its price comparison features, HotelsCombined also powers the hotel search for several other travel websites, such as RyanairHotels.com, momondo.com, and Travelsupermarket.

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It offers information in 42+ languages and handles 130+ currencies

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine and online travel portal founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen, and Michael Doubinski. Headquartered in Sydney, Australia, the company employs over 200 staff and has a presence in over 42 languages and 130 currencies.

The company's website offers customers a wide range of accommodation and travel insights, aggregating more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains. It compares prices from over 200 travel websites, enabling travellers to search and compare hotel rates and review hotel ratings from external sites in one search.

The ability to offer information in multiple languages and handle various currencies has been a key factor in HotelsCombined's success and global reach. By catering to a diverse range of users and markets, the company has established itself as a leading travel site, winning awards such as the "World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website" at the World Travel Awards in 2013.

HotelsCombined's interface can also be fully customized, allowing businesses to retain their brand while utilizing the site's extensive hotel content. This flexibility has likely contributed to the company's partnerships with well-known brands such as Ryanair and momondo.com.

The site's language and currency capabilities have played a crucial role in its expansion and ability to serve a global audience. With its comprehensive approach to information delivery, HotelsCombined has solidified its position as a prominent player in the travel industry, providing users worldwide with a seamless and personalized travel booking experience.

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In 2018, Booking Holdings acquired HotelsCombined

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen, and Michael Doubinski. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, and has a strong presence in APAC, with thousands of active affiliates worldwide. The site is available in over 42 languages, handles 130 different currencies, and aggregates more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains.

In 2018, Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), the world leader in online travel and related services, announced its acquisition of HotelsCombined. The deal was expected to close later that year, subject to regulatory approval.

Booking Holdings' mission is to help people experience the world by providing travel and related services to customers and partners in over 220 countries through its six primary brands: Booking.com, KAYAK, priceline.com, agoda.com, Rentalcars.com, and OpenTable.

The acquisition of HotelsCombined was intended to strengthen Booking Holdings' KAYAK unit, expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region. Hichame Assi, CEO of HotelsCombined, expressed excitement about joining the Booking Holdings family and the benefits of operating under the KAYAK umbrella.

The addition of HotelsCombined to the KAYAK unit demonstrated the parent company's continued interest in expanding its metasearch capabilities worldwide. This acquisition provided HotelsCombined with additional resources and marked a significant step in the competitive landscape of online travel booking services.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, HotelsCombined is Australian-owned and was founded in 2005 by Yury Shar, Brendon McQueen and Michael Doubinski. The company is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and has over 200 employees.

HotelsCombined is a hotel metasearch engine that aggregates more than 2 million deals from hundreds of travel sites and hotel chains, allowing users to compare hotel rates and reviews in one search. The site operates in over 42 languages and handles 130 different currencies.

Yes, HotelsCombined has won several awards including the "World's Leading Hotel Comparison Website 2013" at the World Travel Awards, and the "Website of the Year" at the TRAVELtech Awards in 2010. In 2011, it was also named one of the top 10 ranking Australian businesses in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Program.

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