Travelzest plc, the British on-line travel group offering
specialist travel programmes, announces that it has raised
approximately £1.5 million before expenses through the issue
of 1,060,000 new ordinary shares of 2 pence each ( "New Ordinary
Shares") to institutional and other investors at a price of 145
pence ( "the "Placing Price") per New Ordinary Share (the
"Placing"). The Placing has not been underwritten and is
conditional on the admission of the New Ordinary Shares to trading
on AIM ( "Admission").
The New Ordinary Shares will represent approximately 6.1 per
cent. of the enlarged issued ordinary share capital of the Company.
The Placing Price represents a discount of 10.2 per cent. to the
closing mid-market price of 161.5 pence as at 31 July 2007. The New
Ordinary Shares will rank pari passu with existing ordinary shares
of 2 pence each.
The number of ordinary shares in issue immediately following
Admission will be 17,489,274 ordinary shares. In addition, as part
of the acquisition of itravel2000.com, the Canadian on-line travel
agent specialising in the sale of travel and travel related
products, has 8,065,327 shares in issue which may be exchanged for
the issue of 8,065,327 ordinary shares in the Company at any
time.
Application has been made to the AIM Market of the London Stock
Exchange for the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading. It
is expected that Admission of the New Ordinary Shares will become
effective and that dealings will commence at 8.00am on 6 August
2007.
The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Placing to
continue its strategy of the acquisition of niche travel operators
as the opportunities arise. Travelzest plc is building a portfolio
of companies offering travel and holiday experiences which use the
internet as a key distribution channel.
Commenting on the Placing, Chris Mottershead, Chief
Executive of Travelzest said:
"We are delighted to have completed this fundraising, which
continues to demonstrate the strong support of our shareholders and
will give Travelzest greater flexibility when looking at future
corporate opportunities.
"Travelzest's strategy of targeting niche travel operators and
developing the proposition through both operational and
distribution enhancements is evidenced by the results we have
achieved with the current portfolio and we look forward to the
future with confidence."
Enquiries:
| Christopher Mottershead / Colin McKinlay |
|
| Travelzest plc |
01442 874 322 |
| |
|
| James Wheatcroft / Martin Smith |
|
| Investec Investment Banking |
0207 597 5970 |
| |
|
| Emma Kane / Samantha Robbins |
|
| Redleaf Communications Limited |
020 7822 0200 |
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