Hotels.com experiences a Bruno effect on searches for Vienna hotels

Leading website Hotels.com has seen a 120% rise in searches for hotels in the Austrian capital of Vienna, following the UK premiere of Bruno in Leicester Square. As Bruno hits cinema screens around the world, it seems the character's home nation of Austria is already reaping the benefits of Bruno mania.

The Universal Studios film, which has been generating headlines around the world since filming began, follows Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno - a gay Austrian fashion reporter - as he tries to 'become a superstar' in the US after being fired from his show for disrupting a catwalk event during Milan fashion week.

Alison Couper, Director of Communications for Hotels.com, said: "It's interesting to see the impact a character like Bruno can have on people's behaviour. He might not be the obvious 'ambassador' but he is certainly piquing the interest in Vienna."

The level of general enquiries for has risen dramatically for all Vienna hotels, however one of the main hotels which seems to have received increased interest from Bruno inspired 'fashionistas' are the five-star Hotel Das Triest, a fashion hotel which has been re-designed by Sir Terence Conran, and the hotel in Vienna to be seen at whilst not hanging out with the 'it' crowd at The Onyx Bar at the DO &CO hotel at Stephansplatz 12, which transforms into a VIP club every month.

Whether Austrian citizens will feel the same way about the way Sacha Baron Cohen's character has turned the spot light onto their country, as the people of Kazakhstan felt about Borat remains to be seen, however hotels in Austria are definitely receiving the benefits.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

About Hotels.com
As part of the Expedia group which operates in all major markets, Hotels.com offers more than 100,000 quality hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments worldwide, including a selection of hotels in New York, Rome hotels, hotels in London and Dublin hotels. If a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will match it. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry negotiating the best rates for its customers, plus there are 1.3m reviews from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers make an informed choice when booking. Hotels.com won the Gold Award for best hotel booking site in Webuser magazine in February 2009.

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