Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

online travel

TUI Profits Down – But Europe’s Biggest Tour Company’s Spirit is UP

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Europe’s leading tour operation, TUI Travel, has just announced their first half of 2013 sales figures. According to TUI losses of some £346 million were actually less than some expected. The company pointed to strong markets in the UK and in Scandinavian countries as having relieved a unprofitable Winter.

#Travel Tuesday Tips on Travel Tech: Don’t Cry for Expedia

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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.

BBC Abandons Lonely Planet, Or Is It the Other Way Round?

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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.

Online Travel Sucking Wind with Consumers! Huh?

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A USA Today story from yesterday pretty much tells on an online travel industry that has failed on nearly every front to deliver. Let’s face it, just because you can book a plane or hotel on Expedia, this does not equal the innovation and awe so many have spoken of these last three years. Tnooz to this beleaguered writer, online travel should be farther along by now in delivering on its promise.

Practical Techniques for Last Minute Flight-Hunting

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It’s flights and hotels that consume most of our funds when traveling. And it’s usually the plane tickets that we book first – because they set the beginning and end dates, as well as the intermediary stops during our itinerary. This is especially for traveling far away, but even on short routes, it’s often the air travel services that are most expensive. So, fining your way to save on flights, will obviously make your entire trip cost a lot less!

Midweek Travel Bits: Priceline, Ryanair, Stoxx & More

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Already this week, travel news seems a bit on the up-and-up with positive looks at WTM London, as well as great financial news from players like Priceline. I know we are thinking; “Is tourism coming out of the woods here? Regardless, here’s some positive news bits.

Expedia Runs Away With Lion Share of Q3 Profits Online

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Last Thursday Expedia Inc. announced their Q3 profits beating analyst projections. According to their release (PDF), the world’s biggest OTA’s hotel revenue propelled the unexpected winnings. Shares of Expedia too an appropriate jump, closing up more than 15 percent. According to Expedia hotel revenue increased some 20 plus percent on gross bookings of some $9 […]