When Google acquired ITA flight software a couple of years back, a group of competitors went ballistic warning of unfair practices by the Internet search and ad giant. Most people back then blew off what FairSearch was contending, this author included. As it turns out, a half dozen court cases won and a lot of water under the hotel search bridge, and potential guests really have no choice at all. Google has rigged the hotel booking game into an ad recommendation one.
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Bing Travel Down Another Notch On Farecast Death [Or Is It?]
Bing, the only search entity out there that stood a chance of competing with Google, has sent to the dead pool Farecast. What was one of Bing’s most interesting tools is another casualty of what some experts say is an apathetic Microsoft when it comes to search.
WIHP’s 2014 Marketing Bucket List
2014 brings with a new year great new possibilities in every industry. Travel not being the least of these, World Independent Hotels Promotion (WIHP) just compiled a Slideshare bucket list of benchmark hotel and marketing items not to overlook. This will be one of those years technology provides a fast forward effect for competitiveness, and […]
US Government Approves Google-ITA Deal
The Department of Justice has approved a $700 million deal that will see Google acquire ITA Software, a travel technology company. The DoJ released a detailed ruling outlining the approval, along with some restrictions. As part of the deal, Google must license QPX software from ITA to airfare websites under “commercially reasonable terms”, continue to […]
Bing-Kayak: Travel Search or Dumb Meets Dumber?
The still raging war for online travel supremacy continues with news from Microsoft and Kayak. The pending sale of ITA to Google has spurred some fairly ridiculous allegiances and deals, not the least of which is the latest Bing “slash” Kayak pairing. Let’s face it, Microsoft has already spent two king’s ransoms trying to beat Google, and now this?
US Airways Sabre Deal Calms Travel War Waters
In airline travel news, US Airways just announced the signing of a multi year contract for full content distribution and merchandising with Sabre Travel Network. This latest news, pertinent to the ongoing wars between the various online agents and service providers, is at least a positive sign for global distribution players.
Online Travel Warfare To End Soon
The war in online travel over basically who gets what & when continues this week with Delta Airlines snatching seats from Rick Seaney’s FareCompare, American Airlines going hog wild trying to engage on their own, and Google outlining (see Matt Cutts video below) how they can manually crucify websites for SPAM. Meanwhile travelers just want some price break justice.
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.
Justice Department Poised to Nix Google Deal
The Justice Department stands poised to nix Google’s acquisition of ITA proprietary software as FairSearch and other entities press the issue. Is Google becoming a monopoly? This is the overriding question on the minds of consumers, but what is on the government’s mind, this is what counts. With American Airlines’ recent ITA deal, exactly how will the Justice Department deal with the immense pressures being leveled? This online travel war is a far bigger confrontation than many realize.
Gunfight At the Google Travel Corral
Recent developments in online travel highlight the immense power the Internet has on traditional structures. Google’s ITA software deal is now the subject or power strokes in Washington. As Microsoft, Kayak, and Sabre vie for Senatorial support, Obama’s Attorney General select focus scrutiny on the deal.