Astrea Acquisition Corp. Files Preliminary Proxy Statement in Connection With Its Proposed Business Combination With HotelPlanner.com and Reservations.com

Rhea-AI Summary

Astrea Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: ASAX, ASAXU, ASAXW) has filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC regarding its proposed business combination with HotelPlanner and Reservations.com. The merger is aimed at creating a leading travel technology platform, expected to close in Q4 2021, pending stockholder approval and regulatory conditions. The combined entity will be named HotelPlanner Inc., trading under the new ticker symbols HOTP and HOTPW. Investors are encouraged to view the proxy materials for detailed information.

Positive

• Proposed merger with HotelPlanner and Reservations.com could enhance market position in the travel technology industry.
• Transaction expected to close in Q4 2021, potentially expanding revenue streams.

Negative

• Transaction completion is subject to regulatory approvals and stockholder vote, introducing uncertainty.
• Risks associated with integration challenges and maintaining NASDAQ listing post-merger.

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astrea Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ:ASAX), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, announced today that it has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a preliminary proxy statement for a special meeting in lieu of the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders in connection with its previously announced proposed business combination with HotelPlanner, a hotel and event booking technology platform, and Reservations.com, a premier online travel agency. The preliminary proxy statement provides important information about the parties and the proposed business combination but remains subject to change.

The units, common stock and warrants of Astrea are currently traded on the Nasdaq Capital Markets under the symbols “ASAXU,” “ASAX” and “ASAXW,” respectively. Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company is to be named “HotelPlanner Inc.” and its common stock and warrants are expected to be traded under the ticker symbols “HOTP” and “HOTPW,” respectively. The transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of Astrea, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

The transaction referred to in this press release, as well as detailed financial and business information concerning HotelPlanner and Reservations.com and other information is contained in proxy materials filed, and to be filed, with the SEC by Astrea, and definitive proxy materials will be sent to all Astrea stockholders as of a record date to be determined for the special meeting. Before making any voting decision, Astrea’s stockholders are urged to carefully review the proxy materials and all other relevant documents filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available.

Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy materials and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed by the SEC by Astrea through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy materials can also be obtained, when available, without charge, from HotelPlanner’s website at http://www.hotelplanner.com/investors and https://www.astreaacquisitioncorp.com/.

Participants in the Solicitations

Astrea, HotelPlanner, Reservations.com and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under SEC rules, be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Astrea’s stockholders in connection with the proposed transaction. You can find more information about Astrea’s directors and executive officers in Astrea’s proxy statement and in its final prospectus dated February 3, 2021 and filed with the SEC on February 4, 2021. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests has been included in the proxy statement. Stockholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement carefully before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated below.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed transaction between HotelPlanner, Reservations.com and Astrea, including statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, future financial condition and performance of HotelPlanner and Reservations.com and expected financial impacts of the transaction (including future combined revenue, equity value and cash balance), the satisfaction of closing conditions to the transaction, the level of redemptions of Astrea’s public stockholders and the products and markets and expected future performance and market opportunities of HotelPlanner and Reservations.com.

These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) the risk that the transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of Astrea’s securities, (ii) the risk that the transaction may not be completed by Astrea’s business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension to the business combination deadline if sought by Astrea, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the transaction, including the approval of the merger agreement by the stockholders of Astrea, the satisfaction of the minimum trust account amount following any redemptions by Astrea’s public stockholders and the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (iv) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed transaction, (v) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement, (vi) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the transaction on the business relationships, operating results, and business generally of HotelPlanner and Reservations.com, (vii) risks that the proposed transaction disrupts current plans and operations of HotelPlanner and/or Reservations.com, (viii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against HotelPlanner, Reservations.com, or Astrea related to the merger agreement or the proposed transaction, (ix) the ability to maintain the listing of Astrea’s securities on NASDAQ or another national securities exchange, (x) changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which HotelPlanner and Reservations.com operate, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting the business of HotelPlanner and Reservations.com and changes in the combined capital structure, (xi) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (xii) the risk of downturns and a changing regulatory landscape in the highly competitive online travel booking industry, and (xiii) costs related to the transaction and the failure to realize anticipated benefits of the transaction or to realize projected results and underlying assumptions, including with respect to anticipated shareholder redemptions.

The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the proxy materials discussed above, and other documents filed by Astrea from time to time with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and HotelPlanner, Reservations.com, and Astrea assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. None of HotelPlanner, Reservations.com, or Astrea gives any assurance that HotelPlanner, Reservations.com, or Astrea, or the combined company, will achieve its expectations.

About HotelPlanner

HotelPlanner is a leading travel technology company that combines proprietary artificial intelligence capabilities with a 24/7 global gig-based reservations and customer service network. HotelPlanner travel agents can customize all traveler hotel & accommodation needs from a single platform while providing localized advice. HotelPlanner is one of the leading providers of individual, group and corporate travel bookings, specializing in unique “Closed User Group” discounted rates offered in unpublished private sale environments. Founded in 2004, HotelPlanner has enduring partnerships with many of the world’s largest OTAs, well-known hotel chains, individual hotels, online wedding providers, ancillary lodging providers, corporations, professional and amateur sports teams and franchises, universities and government agencies.

For more information, please visit www.hotelplanner.com.

About Reservations.com

Reservations.com is an award-winning online travel company on a mission to bring the human touch back to travel. Founded in 2014 with a focus on helping consumers create memorable travel experiences, Reservations.com has experienced rapid growth. Reservations.com's user friendly website offers unparalleled visibility into hotels, including: descriptions, pricing information, and reviews of nearly 500,000 properties globally. The company is on a journey to enable customers to not only reserve hotels, but to create memories.

For more information, please visit www.reservations.com.

About Astrea Acquisition Corp.

Astrea Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: ASAXU, ASAX and ASAXW) is a blank check company organized for the purpose of effecting a merger, capital stock exchange, asset acquisition or other similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210917005093/en/

Investors

For HotelPlanner: ICR – investors@hotelplanner.com

For Astrea Acquisition Corp.: info@astreaacquisitioncorp.com

Media

For HotelPlanner: ICR – media@hotelplanner.com

For Astrea Acquisition Corp.: info@astreaacquisitioncorp.com

Source: Astrea Acquisition Corp.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Astrea Acquisition Corp.'s proposed business combination with HotelPlanner and Reservations.com?

The merger aims to create a leading travel technology platform enhancing service offerings and market reach.

What will the new ticker symbols be for the combined company after the merger?

After the transaction closes, the new ticker symbols will be HOTP for common stock and HOTPW for warrants.

When is the closing date expected for the Astrea and HotelPlanner merger?

The merger is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, pending stockholder and regulatory approvals.

What are the implications of the merger for Astrea Acquisition Corp. shareholders?

Shareholders should review the proxy materials and may experience changes in stock value based on the merger's success.

What are the risks associated with the merger between Astrea Acquisition Corp. and HotelPlanner?

Key risks include regulatory approval, integration challenges, and the potential impact on Astrea's NASDAQ listing.