Just about every news outlet in Europe is all a buzz about private equity firm Axa, and Permira headed for a deal to buy Amadeus’ Opodo. The OTA started in Germany in 2001, if the deal goes through as suggested, will be worth between $500 and $700 million. An unnamed source at Amadeus IT Holding SA told Reuters the sketch details of the negotiations.
Travel Technology
iBAHN Secures a $20 Million for Distribution of IPTV Platform
iBAHN, the world’s leader in digital entertainment and Internet solutions for hospitality, has secured a $20 million credit facility with JP Morgan Chase & Co. The new multi-year credit allows for continued growth and installation of iBAHN’s IPTV platform throughout premium hotels around the world.
Carlson Wagonlit Buys Finland’s Kaleva Travel
Carlson Wagonlit Travel, the world’s largest business travel management player, has just announced the full share purchase of Finland’s Kaleva Travel. Kaleva, Finland’s leading business travel agency.
With EveryTrail, TripAdvisor Mobile Just Got Stronger
TripAdvisor announced the expansion of its mobile travel offering with the acquisition of Palo Alto, California-based EveryTrail.
HomeAway & the Business of Super Bowl Commercials
With Super Bowl XLV headed to living rooms and sports bars everywhere this weekend, one highly anticipated aspect of that great event is, of course, the ever present commercials which often entertain more than the game itself. Remember the time when your parents rented that beach house for the Summer? HomeAway remembers.
Cease Fire Called In Online Travel Wars
The ceasefire between American Airlines and GDS giant Sabre signals an “all quiet” moment on the front lines of the online travel wars we have been covering. The announcement that the two companies would attempt to resolve their differences out of court, at least until June 1st, calmed the churning business cauldron for online travel for some.
Off & Away: Pamper Your Love with a Luxury Valentine’s Suite
Off & Away’s February “Whole Lotta Love” series gives you the chance to win an all-inclusive stay in the luxurious 9,757 square foot, bi-level Cancun Hotel’s Suite ME.
HeyTell Joins the Mobile Travel Family
Remember those walkie-talkies Dad got you for Christmas back when? Well for relief of drive time boredom and far more interesting uses, an application for smart phones called HeyTell is a big winner. When SMS won’t do, HeyTell is a walking talking solution to short duration communication.
ChaCha Dances Another Round Around Search
Indianapolis based, real time search service ChaCha has just closed another round of funding. According to the press, the human powered search engine startup gained another $3 million from investors to further expand their mobile product. ChaCha has so far raised a total of $75 in funding since its launch in 2005.
Travel to Africa with The Far Horizons
The Far Horizons, an African travel company offering luxury safari tours, has re-launched its website today, with a better, more modern design and added interactive features for a better user experience.
A Savory Set of Travel Startups: Book One
Some really great online travel sites never even get mentioned. What with all the stories about American Airlines, Google, Expedia, Orbitz, Microsoft, even Bing, how is the consumer ever to know who the best is. What we often see is not innovation or anything approaching the best, it’s marketing and big business.
Skyscanner Acquires Zoombu
Europe’s top flight search site Skyscanner has acquired Zoombu, one of the UK’s most exciting online travel start-ups.