Webjet's international bookings have taken off in the first half and it expects future growth in the sector as it takes on bricks-and-mortar travel agents.
The online travel company on Thursday reported a flat net profit of $9.12 million for the six months to December.
But chief executive John Guscic says overseas flight booking numbers for its Webjet Australia business soared 38 per cent, nine times above the market growth rate.
This was despite the Australian dollar falling 13 per cent in the period.
"International bookings have been the historical preserve of the bricks and mortar guys," he said.
"That is shifting online."
Mr Guscic said international bookings contributed around 30 per cent of bookings value during the first half, while domestic made up 70 per cent.
But Webjet is aiming for a 50-50 split in domestic and international down the track.
"That is where we see the growth coming from for Webjet," he said.
The company's revenues lifted 11.5 per cent to $58 million during the first half as its core Webjet business saw record month-to-month growth in total transaction value (TTV).
But its Asian booking website Zuji reported a $600,000 loss.
Zuji, which Webjet bought in 2012, increased TTV in Australia by 30 per cent but struggled in Asia amid reduced sales and margins.
While he couldn't predict when Zuji would break even, Mr Guscic said the business made a profit in January.
Elsewhere, Webjet's business-to-business hotel sourcing platform Lots of Hotels, which services the Middle East, increased TTV 43 per cent to $46 million.
Mr Guscic also said new European B2B acquisition SunHotels will receive strong investment and is on track to exceed 2014 earnings.
"The European B2B hotel travel market is more than five times larger than the Middle East market," he said.
"We would expect to see greater sales in 2016."
Webjet confirmed its full year guidance of $27 million in underlying earnings, up from $23.3 million in 2013/14.
Its shares closed 14 cents higher at $3.52.
ZUJI LOSS WEIGHS ON WEBJET
* Net profit flat of $9.1m, down 0.6pct to $9.2m
* Revenue of $55.99m, up 12pct from $50m
* Fully franked interim dividend steady at 6.25 cents
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