Reading news in travel technology this morning any interested party might be a bit confused over all the smoke signals going out from online players. The New York Times suggests simply “Fewer, Bigger Travel Sites”, Expedia stocks are down on the one hand, and their mobile app is revamped a superhuman helper on the other. Meanwhile a startup called Bookt LLC takes a shot at Airbnb.com and vacations. I guess the good news is, travel technology is really still alive and doing well.
mobile travel
BBC Abandons Lonely Planet, Or Is It the Other Way Round?
Lonely Planet, one of the world’s most recognized names in digital travel, will now be owned by Nashville billionaire Brad Kelley’s NC2Media. BBC reported the deal for some $77.3 million, about half of what the British broadcasting giant paid for the business back in 2007. Despite the reported £80 million loss BBC will take, some say there are lessons worth learning still.
TUI Thomson Adds MyThomson Excursion App
Have you tried the new app from TUI? Thomson launched their MyThomson smartphone app for free download last Friday without too much fanfare, but discount vouchers and a wealth of info on destination excursions should have brought out more party poppers. Let’s take a look at the app.
umi Hotel Guests Get Android App
An app just released by independent hotel group, umi Hotels, brings the group’s hotels into focus via Google Play. As anyone in the booking space knows, hotelier apps are quickly becoming some of the best channels for guests to see and book accommodations.
US Mobile Travel Bookings to Top $8 Billion
Everyone in the business of travel distribution knows mobile is the most influential sector of the booking segment. A new report from the world’s leading travel authority, PhoCusWright, tells of mobile’s value upcoming. According to the research company bookings via mobile will exceed $8 billion in 2013 in the US alone.
Corporate Enterprises’ Im-mobile Travel Policies
As global enterprise continues to grow and vast numbers of corporate employees embark on business-related trips, a new survey has revealed that the majority of businesses are missing the boat when it comes to travel advice.
Boingo Takes Off with Gogo in an Airplane Under You
Yes, you read this title correctly. In mobile connectivity news today, leading edge Wi-Fi provider Boingo has penned a deal with industry leader Gogo, to provide digital services above 10,000 feet. Like most readers, scanning the first couple of lines of this press release made me wonder if some time off might be the best […]
iPass Teams to Cover Wi-Fi Slovenia
In travel news from Slovenia, iPass announced their partnership with Connection Services Ltd, owners of Quiconnect, a wireless interconnectivity service, to provide Wi-Fi across the country via Mobitel.
Lakestar Media Toting SEO for Journeys of Distinction
Journeys of Distinction, the provider of worldwide luxury escorted tours, just announced that it has selected Lakestar Media has been given the task to improving its digital marketing and search engine optimization.
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.
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.
Coming Attraction – The Real Online Travel
2010 has been a big year for online and mobile travel innovation and initiative. Argophilia Travel News takes a look at advanced user technology and value their Argophilia Travel portal may or may not deploy. For the digital empowered traveler, the new year will bring out the best in products and services.
Toktumi Line2 Delivers for iPhone
Toktumi’s Line2 application for the iPhone can save users time, aggravation, and best of all money. Line2 allows mobile users to hook up via Wi-Fi and VOIP networks when lost signal or even minutes are low. This is the first dual mode cell/VOIP application for iPhone.
Tripit Still Shines If Not Altogether New
TripIt is without a doubt one of the most useful travel tools yet developed. But, can this fairly limited tool, regardless how slick, remain atop the travel app list forever? With an increased user base via Hotwire TripIt has so far fended off all competition, but one slip is all it will take for the next big thing to steamroll this startup. The larger question is, “Can simple modular applications be stand alone monetization models?”