During the Q&A, management acknowledged that advertising and commerce revenue was “a bit soft” in Q4 and said it expected that softness to continue “a bit more into Q1 as well.” Global CEO Holger Bartel said there was no specific reason he could point to for the sequential weakness, adding that the company has been “focused very much on membership and adding new members.”Travelzoo reported Q4 advertising and commerce revenue of $18.3 million, with membership fees contributing $4.1 million. Hoffman said memb ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Travelzoo's consolidated Q4 revenue was $22.5 million, up 9% from the prior year, while in constant currencies, revenue was $22.1 million, up 7% from the prior year [3] - Operating income decreased to $0.6 million, or 3% of revenue, down from $4.9 million in the prior year, attributed to increased investments in club member growth [3][6] - Non-GAAP operating profit for Q4 2025 was $0.9 million, or 4% of revenue, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising and commerce revenue was $18.3 million for Q4 2025, while membership fees increased to $4.1 million, expected to account for around 25% of revenue this year [7][9] - Member acquisition costs for a full-paying club member were $34 in Q4, down from $40 in Q3, indicating a more efficient acquisition strategy [4][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Investment in member acquisition in Europe led to a loss, while operating profit in North America and Europe segments was lower, with Jack's Flight Club segment remaining flat [7][8] - The company noted that luxury travel is booming, while lower-end travel is more challenging, reflecting broader trends in the travel industry [38][40] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its global reach and trusted brand to negotiate more club offers for members, focusing on growing the number of paying members and accelerating revenue growth [10][12] - Plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, anticipating that recurring revenue from renewing members will improve profitability over time [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged softness in advertising and commerce revenue, expecting this trend to continue into Q1 2026, with no specific reasons identified for the decline [16][38] - The company is optimistic about future growth as more luxury properties open, which may improve the availability of attractive offers for members [38][40] Other Important Information - As of December 31, 2025, consolidated cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $10.8 million, with cash flow from operations at $1.5 million [8] - The membership fee was increased to $50 for new members starting January 1, 2026, while existing members had the opportunity to renew at the old rate of $40 [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue trends in advertising and commerce - Management acknowledged that advertising and commerce revenue was soft in Q4 and expected this to continue into Q1, attributing it to a focus on membership growth [16] Question: G&A expenses increase - A one-time expense related to a global company meeting was cited as the reason for higher G&A expenses in Q4 [18] Question: Marketing expenses and profitability - Management plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, which may impact EPS in the short term but is expected to improve profitability in the long run [22][24] Question: Churn rates for new members - It was noted that it is too early to assess churn rates for new members added in 2025, but new benefits are expected to help retain members [25] Question: Industry travel outlook for 2026 - Management indicated that luxury travel is booming while lower-end travel is more challenging, with trends being similar across different markets [38][40]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Travelzoo's consolidated Q4 revenue was $22.5 million, up 9% from the prior year, while in constant currencies, revenue was $22.1 million, up 7% from the prior year [3] - Operating income decreased to $0.6 million, or 3% of revenue, down from $4.9 million in the prior year [3] - Non-GAAP operating profit for Q4 2025 was $0.9 million, or 4% of revenue, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising and commerce revenue was $18.3 million for Q4 2025, while membership fees increased to $4.1 million, expected to account for around 25% of revenue this year [7] - The average acquisition cost for a full-paying club member was $34 in Q4, down from $40 in Q3 [4] - G&A expenses increased due to a one-time expense related to a global company meeting [7][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Membership growth rate was 180% year to date, with new club members coming from both legacy members and new customers [6] - The company experienced a loss in Europe due to investments in member acquisition [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its global reach and trusted brand to negotiate more club offers for members, focusing on affluent and active travelers [10] - Plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, expecting to maintain a positive return and quick payback [22] - The introduction of new benefits for club members, such as a travel hotline and curated culinary journeys, is expected to enhance member retention [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The travel industry is experiencing a divergence, with luxury travel booming while lower-end travel faces challenges [40] - Management anticipates continued revenue growth in subsequent quarters as membership fees are recognized ratably over the subscription period [9] - There is an expectation for profitability to increase as recurring membership fees revenue will be recognized [9] Other Important Information - As of December 31, 2025, consolidated cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was $10.8 million, with cash flow from operations at $1.5 million [8] - The membership fee increased to $50 for new members starting January 1, 2026, while existing members had the opportunity to renew at the old rate of $40 [45] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue trends in advertising and commerce - Management acknowledged that advertising and commerce revenue was soft in Q4 and expected this trend to continue into Q1, attributing it to a focus on membership growth [16] Question: G&A expenses - A one-time expense related to a global company meeting was cited as the reason for higher G&A expenses in Q4 [18] Question: Marketing expenses and profitability - Management plans to increase member acquisition spending in 2026, which may impact EPS in the short term but is expected to improve profitability over time [22] Question: Churn rates for new members - It was noted that it is too early to assess churn rates for new members added in 2025, as renewals are just beginning [25] Question: Trends in advertising revenue - Management indicated that as the member base grows, it allows for maintaining and improving advertising rates, although the impact is less controllable compared to membership revenue [30] Question: Customer acquisition costs - The lower cost per acquisition in Q4 was attributed to optimizations in user experience and cautious spending [34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Travelzoo's consolidated Q4 revenue was $22.5 million, up 9% from the prior year, while in constant currencies, revenue was $22.1 million, up 7% from the prior year [3] - Operating income decreased to $0.6 million, or 3% of revenue, down from $4.9 million in the prior year [3] - Non-GAAP operating profit for Q4 2025 was $0.9 million, or 4% of revenue, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Advertising and commerce revenue was $18.3 million for Q4 2025, while membership fees increased to $4.1 million, expected to account for around 25% of revenue this year [6] - Membership growth rate was 180% year to date, with new club members coming roughly half from legacy members and half from new members [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Investment in member acquisition in Europe led to a loss, while operating profit on North America and Europe segments was lower [6] - GAAP operating margin was 2% in Q4 2025, affected by the increase in club members [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to leverage its global reach and trusted brand to negotiate more club offers for members, focusing on growing the number of paying members and accelerating revenue growth [9][12] - Plans to incorporate Travelzoo Meta experiences as a benefit of Travelzoo Club membership starting Q2 2026 [12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The travel industry is experiencing a divergence, with luxury travel booming while lower-end travel faces challenges [38] - The company expects continued revenue growth in subsequent quarters as membership fees are recognized ratably over the subscription period [8] Other Important Information - Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as of December 31, 2025, was $10.8 million, with cash flow from operations at $1.5 million [7] - A one-time expense related to a global company meeting increased G&A expenses in Q4 [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Revenue trends in advertising and commerce - Revenue from advertising and commerce was soft in Q4, expected to continue into Q1, with no specific reason identified for the decline [16] Question: Increase in G&A expenses - A one-time expense related to a global company meeting caused the increase, not a permanent change [18] Question: Marketing expenses and profitability - Marketing expenses are expected to increase in 2026, impacting EPS in the short term but improving as recurring revenue comes in from renewing members [21][22] Question: Churn rates for new members - It is too early to judge churn rates as most new members joined in Q1 2025, with renewals upcoming [25] Question: Industry travel outlook for 2026 - Luxury travel is booming, while lower-end travel is more challenging, with trends consistent across markets [38][40] Question: Membership fee increase - The membership fee increased to $50 for new members, with existing members given the opportunity to renew at the old rate of $40 [45]