Alcatraz Media, Inc.

Alcatraz Media, Inc. is an online destination travel agency with over 2,000 websites showcasing products from all over the world including tours, cruises, attraction tickets, and tickets to shows and concerts. Its network of sites accounts for more than 10,000 tours, activities, and attractions in over 400 destinations and 60 countries. It was conceived in San Francisco and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA with satellite locations across the US. Alcatraz Media uses Reserve123.com as its main site, as it displays all worldwide products in one place.

Company Background

The company was founded in 1999, with the launch of the Reserve123 site in 2007. The vision for the site was to provide customers a one-stop shop for their destination travel needs, so that after booking one set of activities in a given market, they have a familiar point of reference for their next excursion.

Company Structure

Alcatraz Media is structured in a way similar to that of a travel agency. The company has a team of Charter Agents and Reservations Agents to meet both individual and group needs. The tours and activities on offer are selected by a staff of travel experts, concierges, travel agents, and local operators. They sell directly to consumers as well as through a network of agents and affiliates around the globe.

Future Expansion

There are plans to expand Alcatraz Media, Inc. and Reserve123 and to open offices in Las Vegas and Washington, DC in the near future. As the company continues to grow, it is projected that its arsenal of products will follow suit. Recent company developments include a new gift card program, a travel blog site, and a page on Facebook. Social media has become a major platform for the company to grow its list of current customers and to build brand loyalty among varied demographics.

Niagara Falls Controversy

Currently (as of this writing in Dec 2009), Alcatraz Media is embroiled in a dispute over the Niagara Parks Commission’s 2009 decision to award a long-term lease of 25 years and New York State's decision to award a long-term license of 40 years (with an agreement entered into in 2002) to Maid of the Mist officials James V. Glynn and Christopher Glynn without going through the process of competitive open bidding. The company is fighting these decisions, which were made in secret, in order to allow other companies, including Alcatraz Media, a chance to participate in the bidding process in hopes of securing the $1.3 billion contracts to operate the Maid of the Mist boats.

The Government of Ontario has granted Alcatraz Media the right to bid, and Alcatraz Media is reported to be the high bidder at $100 million more than the current operator. Alcatraz Media is in a position to potentially secure the contract once the formal open bidding begins. The dispute, which started in 2005, could end with a final decision by Spring 2010.