It’s often hard to tell what key players will do in today’s fast-changing online travel markets, but one trend is clear: Big U.S. online travel agencies like Expedia and Priceline are keen on expanding in China and Asia-Pacific. Both Expedia (EXPE) and Priceline Group (PCLN) have redoubled efforts in the region in the past year or so. They’re focusing on pacts with local partners, as well as acquisitions, as they battle local rivals and one
Priceline (PCLN) and OpenTable on Tuesday announced they had satisfied a key condition as their proposed merger moves closer to completion. The companies announced the early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. They said HSR was updated by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission on Monday. The remaining legal conditions for the merger include a minimum tender of a majority of outstanding
Priceline wasn’t the only big company interested in buying OpenTable before the online travel giant landed the coveted restaurant-reservation website in a $2.6 billion acquisition announced last month. OpenTable regulatory filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission revealed that seven companies, including Priceline (PCLN), talked with OpenTable before the company’s board accepted Priceline’s offer of $103 a share. The filings don’t