Budgetplaces
Encyclopedia
Budgetplaces is an online travel agency
(OTA) which offers low-cost accommodation. As of December 2011, Budgetplaces is working with over 7,500 budget hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and apartments in more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
After experiencing tremendous success in Barcelona, Erceg decided to replicate the model in Paris and Paris35.com (as a reflection of a target rate of 35 Euros pppn) was launched. By 2007 websites for London, Berlin, Rome and other major European cities had followed.
In 2008, after reaching a total of over 20 destinations and more than 3,000 partner hotels, hostels, apartments and bed and breakfasts, Budgetplaces was introduced as EnGrande’s new leading brand, uniting all destinations on one website.
In July 2011, Palamon Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in EnGrande S.L., which further accelerated Budgetplaces’ international expansion course.
As of December 2011, Budgetplaces operates with over 7,500 partner establishments in more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Over 100 staff of more than 30 different nationalities are employed at the company’s headquarters in Barcelona and a branch office in New York City.
program in collaboration with Barcelona-based offset provider Offset Options. Travellers have since been able to compensate the carbon footprint caused by their hotel stays by supporting a selected range of environmental projects around the world.
A month after the program’s inception, Budgetplaces reported that 5% of its customers had chosen to make their hotel stay carbon-neutral. This figure is forecast to increase to 10% by the end of 2011.
Travel agency
A travel agency is a retail business that sells travel related products and services to customers on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, hotels, railways, sightseeing tours and package holidays that combine several products...
(OTA) which offers low-cost accommodation. As of December 2011, Budgetplaces is working with over 7,500 budget hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts and apartments in more than 1,000 destinations worldwide.
Company history
Budgetplaces was founded under the trading name EnGrande S.L. in Barcelona in 2003. Californian John Erceg created the concept of offering only no-frills budget accommodation at a target rate of 30 Euros per person per night. This target rate is reflected in the name of the website Barcelona30.com.After experiencing tremendous success in Barcelona, Erceg decided to replicate the model in Paris and Paris35.com (as a reflection of a target rate of 35 Euros pppn) was launched. By 2007 websites for London, Berlin, Rome and other major European cities had followed.
In 2008, after reaching a total of over 20 destinations and more than 3,000 partner hotels, hostels, apartments and bed and breakfasts, Budgetplaces was introduced as EnGrande’s new leading brand, uniting all destinations on one website.
In July 2011, Palamon Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in EnGrande S.L., which further accelerated Budgetplaces’ international expansion course.
As of December 2011, Budgetplaces operates with over 7,500 partner establishments in more than 1,000 worldwide destinations. Over 100 staff of more than 30 different nationalities are employed at the company’s headquarters in Barcelona and a branch office in New York City.
Carbon neutral hotel stays
In late 2010, Budgetplaces launched its carbon offsetCarbon offset
A carbon offset is a reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere....
program in collaboration with Barcelona-based offset provider Offset Options. Travellers have since been able to compensate the carbon footprint caused by their hotel stays by supporting a selected range of environmental projects around the world.
A month after the program’s inception, Budgetplaces reported that 5% of its customers had chosen to make their hotel stay carbon-neutral. This figure is forecast to increase to 10% by the end of 2011.