Expedia Inc. is making a financial
investment in CruiseShipCenters, a Vancouver-based, cruise-focused
retailer that offers products through 100 retail franchise
locations and more than 1,500 independent consultants throughout
Canada.
Expedia did not
disclose details of the investment, but Katie Deines, a spokeswoman
for Expedia, said the investment would not have a material impact
on Expedia's finances.
The details of
how the partnership and investment would take shape were still
developing, Deines said. According to a statement from Expedia and
CruiseShipCenters, Expedia would broaden its exposure to offline
distribution channels via the partnership, and CruiseShipCenters'
franchisors and consultants would "benefit in the future from the
Expedia inventory of noncruise travel options for
customers."
Deines also said
CruiseShipCenters was increasing efforts to expand into the U.S.
"They're looking to leverage Expedia's brand strength in the U.S.,"
she said.
According to the
statement, CruiseShipCenters books more than 20% of cruises sold in
Canada.
The deal marks
Expedia's first investment in a brick-and-mortar cruise retail
operation.
Deines said that
CruiseShipCenters would continue to operate as its own company,
with the same brand and management structure. Expedia's and
CruiseShipCenters' separate relationships with the cruise lines
also would continue as-is, she said.
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to Rebecca Tobin at [email protected].