Netscape adds travel to Netcenter

Continuing to expand its online service called Netcenter, Netscape Communications today announced the launch of Netcenter Travel by Travelocity, a cobranded service that lets users make flight, rental car, and hotel reservations online.

It comes in the wake of other added features on Netcenter, such as a "marketplace" that lets Netizens buy computers, software, books, and music online. Netcenter launched last September and says it has 2.6 million members.

Netscape, which specializes in selling client and server software, increasingly is relying on revenue from its Web site to bolster profitability. But it faces stiff competition in all its lines of business. Companies such as Yahoo, Excite, and Microsoft are providing similar services on their Web sites.

Travel is one of hottest categories featured by the online services and Net search directories. In dollars, it is the largest consumer spending category online, analysts say.

Travelocity is owned by the Sabre Group, which provides electronic distribution of travel services. Sabre is 82 percent owned by the parent of American Airlines.

Netscape has struck partnerships with other companies such as Amazon.com and Music Boulevard for its Netcenter site.