Aldi to launch travel site in 2009

German supermarket chain Aldi is to launch a travel agency website in the UK offering discounted holidays.

Alditravel.co.uk, which will launch in January 2009, was announced at this week's World Travel Market conference.

The web-only service will be modeled on a similar operation in Austria, where Aldi says that it has sold one million holidays since 2003.

Competition, especially on the web, in the UK is fierce with established agencies offering holidaymakers a huge choice.

"We aim to provide the best price in the market. We are not going up against Expedia or Lastminute.com by offering thousands of options," said Aldi group buying director Sarah Butler.

"We are looking to drive business through a small number of hotels," she added.

Aldi currently has a holding page for its website informing people that it will launch soon.

Alditravel.co.uk will initially focus on sun holidays and discount packages will include flights, hotels and transfers, the company said.

Popular short city breaks and ski and cruise holidays will be added subsequently. The company said it will use its 300 stores in the UK to advertise special offers.

www.alditravel.co.uk
www.lastminute.com
www.expedia.co.uk

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