Agoda
 | |
Type of site | Booking service |
|---|---|
| Owner | Priceline.com |
| URL | Agoda.com |
| Commercial | Yes |
| Launched | 1998 |
| Current status | Online |
Agoda.com is an Online Travel Agency (OTA) that specializes in hotels, especially those in Asia. It is headquartered in Singapore, with major operations in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Sydney, Hong Kong and Budapest, with additional support offices in major cities across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.
History
The company was founded in the late 1990s in Phuket (city), Thailand under the name PlanetHoliday.com with the idea to tap into the then-burgeoning growth of internet search engines to provide consumers with hotel and travel information. In 2003 PrecisionReservations.com was added as a partner, and in 2005 both companies were combined under Agoda Company Pte. Ltd, registered in Singapore.
Acquisition
In November 2007, the company was acquired by Priceline.com (Nasdaq:PCLN), becoming the third international acquisition for the world’s largest online retailer of hotel rooms.[1] As of mid-2013, the company offers access to more than 285,000 hotels with over 1,200 employees worldwide representing over 20 countries. Its website is available in 38 languages including Chinese (Traditional & Simplified), English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Russian, Korean and Thai.
Operation
Agoda.com guarantees the lowest price on hotel rooms, and will match or beat the price if a customer proves they can find the same room elsewhere at a lower price. The site also has nearly 5 million customer reviews which are unedited. Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 17 languages via email or telephone.
Agoda.com also has mobile apps for both iOS[2] and Android[3] platforms, which offer the full functionality of the website.
Awards
Agoda.com won the Best Accommodation Site category in the Travelmole Web Awards Asia for 2008 and 2012.[4]
Membership in Organizations
Agoda.com has been a member of PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) since 2006.
Footnotes
- ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/11/08/idUSIN20071108160105PCLN20071108
- ^ http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/agoda.com-makes-mobile-booking-even-easier-with-its-app-for-ipad/
- ^ http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/agoda-com-Launches-Android-App-For-Easy-Mobile-2307541.php
- ^ http://www.travelmole.com/awards.php?cmd=loadp&program_select=5&c=setreg®ion=4