Webjet nearly triples full year profit

Travel group Webjet has plans to become a major business travel provider.

Online travel agent Webjet is planning more expansion as it pursues its goal of being a major force in business travel.

The company has forked out more than $7 million on travel and accommodation providers in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East over the past two years, but it says it hasn't finished just yet.

Webjet will also add European group Sun Hotels to its stable next week as it completes the previously approved acquisition.

Chief executive John Guscic said Webjet is pleased with its current market position, but has not reached its final destination.

"Our objective is to be a global B2B (business-to-business) player and to be a global B2B player we need a presence in Asia and we need a presence in the Americas," he said.

"We have a number of ways to get there but the most obvious is to do other tuck-in style acquisitions not dissimilar to Sun Hotels.

"We anticipate undertaking those over the course of the next two to three years."

Webjet almost tripled its net profit to $19.1 million in the year to June, as the performance of Hong Kong and Singapore's leading online travel agency Zuji significantly improved.

After costing Webjet $100,000 a week after its initial acquisition, Zuji contributed around $2 million in earnings in 2013/14 and is expected to increase earnings in the current year.

The company expects to provide guidance for the current year at its annual general meeting on November 26.

WEBJET PROFIT FLIES HIGH

* Net profit of $19.1m, up from $6.5m in 2012/13

* Revenue of $98.6m, up 32 pct on $74.8m

* Final dividend of 7.25 cents a share, up from seven cents


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