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.