The highly anticipated New York City restaurant guides are out now. A story about his by Garth Johnston of the gothamist not only drew my attention, but made me put on my thinking cap too. Google’s movements into travel, the changing framework of online travel, and the real value of credability seem to be boiling to the surface of the online business soup. Zagat, the online restaurant guides slash data company, offers interesting value.
Google Travel
Starwood Hotels & Resorts: The Luxury You’d Expect
Starwood Hotels’ Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts has released a limited edition US destination guide published by Assouline. Part of a set of bound books, the luxuriously crafted books show off the Luxury Collection’s most exquisite properties around the world.
Gowalla: Will It Be Google’s Next Announcement?
It was inevitable once Google announced they were to acquire Zagat, the race for lost applications to engage travel. TechCrunch already reported on Gowalla, so did GigaOm, PC Mag, anyone “interested” in Gowalla. Chief Executive Josh Williams, according to PC Magazine, the Gowalla site will “re-focus” primarily on travel now. The selling point being, in depth guides, travel stories, relating the experience of travel – all conveniently on Gowalla.
Google Restaurant Finder? Well, Not Quite Yet
Google’s head of Local, Maps and Location Services, Marissa Mayer, just announced the acquisition of Zagat, publisher of worldwide restaurant guides, on the Google blog. Zagat is the entity that produces some of the world’s best printable restaurant guides, and accordingly, the platform will now help refine Google tools like Maps, Places, and Hotspot too, Google’s growing recommendation engine.
TripAdvisor’s Fake Reviews Sickness Goes Critical
TripAdvisor, the leading online travel reviews site in the world, is now under investigation by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over concerns reviews from travelers may be illegitimate. A formal investigation has reportedly been launched on the heels of complaints TripAdvisor’s reviews problems have reached monumental levels.
Travel Agents and the Status Quo of Extinction
President Obama’s projection about travel agents, and the potential for them becoming obscolete brought on a firestorm of criticism from who else? The ASTA of course. The American Society of Travel Agents took great offense and injury at comments that. Comments that. Were effectively accurate, that’s what.
Google Is NOT Taking Over Travel With Hotel Finder
Okay, just because Google bought ITA, just because flight search stuff got put onto the search page, just because they have 50 billion reasons to take over online travel, does not mean Sergey Brin, Larry Page, Eric Schmidt, and the rest at Google will. AND, launching the unbelievably fast Google Hotel Finder aspect for online travel? Nah, Google will never take over the multi-billion dollar online travel scene. Yeah! They will.
Terra Firma, Friends, and Travels Shared Through Google +
If there is one thing concrete that we can say binds all of us, it is good old Terra firma herself. In a very real way, the Earth beneath all our feet, like our own humanity, can teach us a lot about one another. Maybe this is one reason travel is so fantastically popular – as human beings we a
Google + and Really Refined Reviews – Coming Soon
The suggested Google Travel entity could be just around the corner. According to the news from Tnooz and Kevin May, Google unceremoniously yanked third party reviews from hotels on Google Maps and Google Places, a move May suggests puts Google’s review credibility down there with TripAdvisor’s. But what if?
Rick Steves Android App “Localizes” Europe Travelers
European travel guru Rich Steves has just announced the release of his new Android app, Rick Steves’ Audio Europe. For a heightened sightseeing experience, for destinations across Europe, Steves has created a groundbreaking new tool. Audio Europe is another piece in the perfect mobile travel toolbox.
TripAdvisor Acquires Where I’ve Been
TripAdvisor, the online world’s most popular travel website, has reportedly purchased Where I’ve Been, the once popular Facebook application. The map oriented platform allows users to display where they have visited or lived, and places they would like to visit. Once a “viral” application with something over a million monthly users, the app now sees only a fraction of that number.
Will Google Launch Their ITA Travel Weapon?
According to TechCrunch’s reliable network of source, Google may well roll out an integrated ITA search platform within days. A report by TC’s Leena Rao 16 hours ago suggests Google’s recent acquisition may in fact be the forboding nightmare Microsoft, Expedia, and others feared.
Via Michelin: Can Bibendum Fix Blowout?
In news from one of the world’s best known names in hospitality, Michelin, celebrating the company’s 10 year anniversary online come with revamped Via Michelin website. Argo Travel News takes a look at Michelin’s entry into the competitive realm of online travel guides.
American Airlines Wins Court Round – Travelers Losing Still
A Texas judge has ruled that Sabre Holdings Corp. cannot stop American Airlines (AMR) from seeking a court order to bar Sabre from diminishing the position of AMR’s flight listings. American is seeking an injunction to stop Sabre from listing the airline’s flights beneath competitors routinely. While AMR has won the most recent court round, passengers may lose in the end.
Orbitz Stock Into Orbit With American Airlines Verdict
For all those investors who emailed to ask me if the American Airlines slash Orbitz fight would be a game changer, the news today of skyrocketing Orbitz stock prices is as good an answer as any. Orbitz Worldwide Inc. bounced shares upward on an Illinois court reversal of their case against American Airlines. The court ordered American to resume selling flights via the online travel agency.