Wotif - Market Release - Chairmans Address Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:44:00 +1000       1 year, 9 months ago

ASX RELEASE - Wotif.com Holdings Limited 20 October 2008 Market Release - Chairman's Address In accordance with Listing Rule 3.13.3 please find attached for release to the market copies of the Chairman's and Managing Director's addresses to be given at the Company's Annual General Meeting today. For further information please contact: Robbie Cooke Group CEO/Managing Director T: 61 7 3512 9965 F: 61 7 3512 9914 E: robbie.cooke@wotifgroup.com WOTIF.COM HOLDINGS LIMITED ABN 41 093 000 456 | 13 Railway Terrace Milton QLD 4064 Australia | Phone: +61 7 3512 9965 Fax: +61 7 3512 9914 Email: robbie.cooke@wotifgroup.com ASX125 WOTIF.COM HOLDINGS LIMITED CHAIRMAN'S AND MANAGING DIRECTOR'S ADDRESSES Third Annual General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on 20 October 2008 at 2.30 pm Before moving to the formal items of business, Robbie Cooke and I would like to briefly discuss the Company's performance over the 2008 financial year and its outlook for the current year. I do not think that there is very much point repeating the material released in August and published in the Annual Report which describes the Wotif Group’s achievements in FY2008.

I will simply remind shareholders that the Group: • increased revenues by 40% to $94M; lifted profits to $34.5M; paid a total fully franked dividend for the year of 15 cents; broadened its services to include air travel and a corporate booking engine when it acquired travel.com.au and the lastminute.com.au brands; • • • • accelerated its entry into the Asian market when it bought Asia Web Direct. The Wotif Group's capacity and willingness to use its balance sheet to develop its business interests within the online travel market are part of a strategy designed to cement its position as the best recognised and most used internet accommodation booking engine in its home market. The extension of its business model into closely allied areas means that a rapidly expanding user base has even less reason to search elsewhere for better deals and associated travel services.

This strategy delivered good organic growth from the original Wotif.com business and two fast growing and earnings accretive acquisitions last financial year. Gaining greater benefit from them will continue throughout the current financial year. Consequently, the Board believes that the Wotif Group can support good shareholder returns while pursuing a strategic and commercially sound acquisition strategy.

The Board recognises that there will be further consolidation with the internet travel booking market ....