This is a roundup of product news and announcements for travel DEVICES in tourism and hospitality for July 2014.
Thursday 31 July 2014:
HomeAway refreshes its mobile app for owners
- In the updated version of HomeAway Mobile Hospitality Manager - an app that's used by vacation rental owners to manage their listing - the owners will be able to offer a range of recommendations and provide other information such as directions, house tips, and maps, to their guests (after they make a reservation). These recommendations could range from local attractions to a menu item in a restaurant.
Wednesday 30 July 2014:LAN and TAM launch mobile applications
- The LATAM Airlines Group pair created the Apple-based application with Ireland-based Mobile Travel Technologies, launching versions in various appstore marketplaces in South and Latin America in recent weeks. The apps allow passengers to check in for upcoming flights, store their itineraries and access the LATAM loyalty programme. The platform is available in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay as well as in US, UK, Spain, Germany and Italy.
Small Luxury Hotels of the World sees mobile uplift
- The chain of 520 properties around the world says it has experienced a 50% increase in traffic to its mobile website over the past 12 months. Reservations made via tablet devices have climbed by 20% and by over 200% on mobiles over the same period.
Tuesday 29 July 2014:Orbitz for Business expands its consumerized digital booking functionality
- The corporate brand of Orbitz Worldwide is expanding its offering to support travelers in more than 100 countries, in 18 languages and 35 currencies, including via its Orbitz for Business mobile tool -- the first in the industry to enable full "look-to-book" functionality.
Triposo has revamped its app
- The Berlin-based startup founded by Douwe Osinga (who worked as a Google engineer for seven years) has updated its free travel app with social features. In the new release Mini Guides and City Walks created by other travelers and locals are used to help out fresh arrivals, and are generated algorithmically.
Monday 28 July 2014:Palladium Hotel Group makes smart bracelets more personal
- More smart bracelets for Ushuaia Beach and Hard Rock hotels in Ibiza with guests now able to purchase the wearable devices loaded with add-ons such as spa treatments, music performances and food and beverages. The Smart VIB (very important bracelets) replace the previous biometric 'pay-touch' system which enabled guests to access hotel services without keys or cards. The hotel group also has smart screens which enable users to manage the bracelets.
Ryanair says app hits a million downloads
- Ryanair is reporting that its mobile app, released earlier this month, reach one million downloads within 10 days. The release of the app is part of the low-cost carriers 'Always Getting Better' programme which also includes an improved website and new family and business products.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel brings gamification to app
- The CWT To Go mobile app will soon have Travel Gamification integrated within it. The app will enable travellers to see where they are on the companies gamification leader board and hopefully make better travel decisions as a result. The functionality is being demonstrated at the GBTA Convention in Los Angeles this week.
Thursday 24 July 2014:
HotelTonight adds 80 cities in Europe
- The same-day mobile hotel booking service is now in 450 destinations worldwide, 130 of which are outside of its US base. Its European presence is now 18 countries and has the app has been downloaded 2.5 million times. To coincide with the growth of the company overseas, HotelTonight has launched "insider travel tips" as part of the app, including the best spots for beaches, city escapes and the best time to book hotels.
TripWolf releases biggest iPhone update in four years
- The travel planning service says the new version of its app follows some of the design elements put into the launch of its iPad service in November last year, such as tile-style design and improved navigation. The success of the iPad application saw it account for more than 50% of in-app purchases and capture 45% of downloads of TripWolf services in the iTunes appstore. TripWolf is also available for Android devices.
HostelWorld launches new app for iPad devices
- The second version of its application for the Apple tablet has been designed specifically for iOS7 operating systems and features map search for properties, new booking system, reservation management tools and reviews.
CruiseLine celebrates one million app downloads
- The Ship Mate app, which features reviews, images and guides to the cruise sector, says across it has achieved the milestone across its Android and Apple apps. The company (TLabs here) has also released its first version for Amazon this week. An internal chat system included in the apps has reached also reached almost 500,000 messages in the period since its launch in 2010.
Monday 21 July 2014:EasyTaxi integrates with WeChat
- Post the integration of EasyTaxi Singapore's booking service with WeChat, now users in Singapore can follow EasyTaxi's official account in WeChat, and tap a button to call an EasyTaxi.
Cleartrip refreshes its Windows app
- New features in the app include: Ability to book international flights, new local currencies, loading 'saved travellers' from the Cleartrip account, 1-touch payment facility with Cleartrip's ExpressWay option, usability improvements (accessing recent searches and stored cards).
Monday 14 July 2014:Ryanair application unveiled
- Ryanair has launched its latest mobile app enabling passengers to check-in and download a mobile boarding pass. The service also allows travellers to search for and book flights, access the 'My Ryanair' area, view flight information and shop for add-on services. The app is available for both Android and Apple devices.
Wednesday 9 July 2014:HMC debuts restaurant booking tool Table Concierge
- Hospitality Marketing Concepts, which sells customer-relationship-driven database management and loyalty marketing programs for hotel companies, has launched Table Concierge, a white-label mobile app and website restaurant booking platform (iPhone and Android). It has connectivity to popular systems, such as MICROS Point of Sale (POS).
Monday 7 July 2014:Minube launches tablet-based application
- The trip planning service is simultaneously launching the apps for both iOS and Android devices, following mobile apps launched on the platforms in 2011 and 2013 respectively. The apps contain some 600,000 tips and photos around the world, generated by the site's one million registered users. The apps are available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Italian.
Smith Micro mobile survey points to increase hotel use
- The study suggests 62% hotel guests are using their mobiles to secure or reserve additional services at a property, on the back of almost two-thirds bringing some kind of tablet device with them on a trip. Seven out of ten guests would be happy to receive relevant special offers to a device and almost half (47%) would be "very likely" to purchase in-room entertainment if it could be accessed via their own device.
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