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Stay up to date with the latest travel technology news, startup updates, and industry developments from across the global travel ecosystem.

Come the revolution: The startup world is due for another wave
News
Come the revolution: The startup world is due for another wave
By PhocusWire | January 15, 2015
Surfers and entrepreneurs have a lot in common. They’re both constantly searching for the next big wave.... Read More
2015 will be the year that the sharing economy grows up
News / Online
2015 will be the year that the sharing economy grows up
By Viewpoints | January 15, 2015
Even beyond the world of travel, it is hard to argue with the statement that 2014 was the year of the sharing economy. From Uber’s $40 billion valuation (I apologize in advance if this number is ou... Read More
Marriott won't block personal wifi hotspots after all
News / Technology
Marriott won't block personal wifi hotspots after all
By Sean O'Neil | January 15, 2015
Marriott has backed off of its plan to block guests from using their personal wifi devices at any of its managed hotels, including its conference facilities, the US-based conglomerate said in a statem... Read More
Chinese taxi-hailing app Kuaidi Dache raises $600M [UPDATED]
News / Technology
Chinese taxi-hailing app Kuaidi Dache raises $600M [UPDATED]
By Sean O'Neil | January 15, 2015
UPDATE: An official announcement has been released today: KuaiDi Dache, China’s Leading Mobile Taxi Booking App, Secures US$600 Million Investment from SoftBank Group, Alibaba Group and Tiger Gl... Read More
Rategain secures investment, targets North America and APAC
News / Distribution
Rategain secures investment, targets North America and APAC
By Martin Cowen | January 15, 2015
Ten years after launch, hotel IT business Rategain has confirmed its first ever funding round, with TA Associates stumping up the cash. Financial details are not disclosed, although reports put the... Read More
Travelstart makes acquisition as it looks to leverage social data
News / Distribution
Travelstart makes acquisition as it looks to leverage social data
By Linda Fox | January 14, 2015
Online travel agency Travelstart has acquired social seating specialist Satisfly for an undisclosed sum. The Cape Town-based OTA says the acquisition will enable it to target customers with persona... Read More
South Korea gets a messaging-based licensed taxi app
News / Distribution
South Korea gets a messaging-based licensed taxi app
By Martin Cowen | January 14, 2015
Daum Kakao, one of South Korea's biggest digital businesses, is launching a taxi-hailing app, making a lot of noise about the fact that it will only be available for registered drivers. Kakao Taxi... Read More
Australian players fearful of Booking.com's boom, Wotif's weakness
News / Distribution
Australian players fearful of Booking.com's boom, Wotif's weakness
By Sean O'Neil | January 14, 2015
Why did Australian regulators okay Expedia Inc's $703 million acquisition of Wotif Holdings last October? Documents released on Tuesday explain their official reasoning. At the core, the regulators... Read More
Virgin Hotels launches in-room personal assistant called...
News / Technology
Virgin Hotels launches in-room personal assistant called...
By Nick Vivion | January 14, 2015
Lucy is the name of the new mobile app launched by Virgin Hotels. The app will complement the guest experience with a full list of features, including some industry-leading integrations. It seems t... Read More
Here's some free geeky knowledge from Silicon Valley's engineering elite [VIDEO]
News / Technology
Here's some free geeky knowledge from Silicon Valley's engineering elite [VIDEO]
By Nick Vivion | January 14, 2015
One advantage of working for a growth-stage company is the many educational opportunities that are institutionally available. And thanks to the general open ethos of many startups in Silicon Valley... Read More
One view on the top trends in travel advertising [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Online
One view on the top trends in travel advertising [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Nick Vivion | January 14, 2015
The fastest growth in travel industry advertising spend will come from social and video commercials, says recent Expedia Media Solutions/Phocuswright research. The growth is aligning well with the... Read More
A wish list for hotel marketers in 2015
News / Online
A wish list for hotel marketers in 2015
By Viewpoints | January 14, 2015
At the end of each year, we ask clients, partners and hotel marketing peers to tell us what’s on their wish lists for next year. NB: This an analysis by Dave Spector, a partner at Tambourine. Wh... Read More
HRS loses rate parity appeal, calls for unified approach
News / Distribution
HRS loses rate parity appeal, calls for unified approach
By Linda Fox | January 13, 2015
A German court has ruled parity clauses from hotel specialist HRS are anti-competitive, paving the way for similar decisions on other online intermediaries. The ruling from the Higher Regional Cour... Read More
Google Flight Search goes live in India
News / Distribution
Google Flight Search goes live in India
By Martin Cowen | January 13, 2015
Despite an underwhelming start in most markets, Google is bringing its Flight Search product to India. The launch was officially announced on the Google India blog. Google Flight Search India has t... Read More
Four very basic mistakes that stall many ecommerce startups
News / Online
Four very basic mistakes that stall many ecommerce startups
By PhocusWire | January 13, 2015
Consumers have overwhelmingly embraced online shopping.... Read More
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