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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.

Understanding bad reviews to increase hotel ROI next year
News / Online
Understanding bad reviews to increase hotel ROI next year
By Margaret Ady | December 18, 2014
Here’s what we know about good or bad reviews in the travel industry as 2014 comes to a close: they matter. A lot. There are plenty of stats out there that show positive reviews have a positive imp... Read More
New TV commercials show how far TripAdvisor has evolved [VIDEO]
News / Distribution
New TV commercials show how far TripAdvisor has evolved [VIDEO]
By Kevin May | December 18, 2014
Travellers in the UK will be the latest to see how far TripAdvisor has moved beyond its original strategy of sharing reviews of hotels. The company's new 20 and 30-second spots, debuting in the UK... Read More
No room at the inn for independent hotels as OTAs pack more punch
News / Distribution
No room at the inn for independent hotels as OTAs pack more punch
By Linda Fox | December 17, 2014
It's not news that online travel agents charge significant commissions or that hotels would like to claw back some of that business direct via their own channels. However, UK-based digital marketin... Read More
How Bluesmart became one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns ever
News / Technology
How Bluesmart became one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns ever
By Nick Vivion | December 17, 2014
Bluesmart is the first smart suitcase to market, appearing with a bang and becoming one of the top funded campaigns ever on Indiegogo. When looking at the most funded crowdfunding campaigns of all ti... Read More
When do TripAdvisor reviews help and hurt bookings?
News / Online
When do TripAdvisor reviews help and hurt bookings?
By Viewpoints | December 17, 2014
A/B testing still dominates the optimization space, particularly for travel brands. It remains the most used testing method for improving conversion rates. By contrast, for reasons ranging from... Read More
Guess the country with the best public wifi
News / Technology
Guess the country with the best public wifi
By Kevin May | December 17, 2014
There is an endless debate about roaming charges and how much they restrict travellers from taking advantage of mobile services overseas. But as (some) hotels finally see the light - and opportunit... Read More
Baidu confirms global Uber tie-up
News / Distribution
Baidu confirms global Uber tie-up
By Martin Cowen | December 17, 2014
As widely expected, Chinese search giant Baidu has confirmed "a strategic investment and co-operation agreement" with Uber. No details emerged about the scale of the investment, widely reported to... Read More
APIs, AIML, personalization - India's developers raise the bar
News
APIs, AIML, personalization - India's developers raise the bar
By Martin Cowen | December 16, 2014
The second Tnooz THack Bangalore showed not only how engaged the developer community is with travel tech, but also just how clever some of the ideas coming out of Bangalore are. The one-man team Tr... Read More
Priceline's Booking.com eases rate parity after European pressure
News / Distribution
Priceline's Booking.com eases rate parity after European pressure
By Nick Vivion | December 16, 2014
After pressure on Booking.com from regulators in Sweden, France and Italy, the OTA has offered to soften the long-maligned rate parity clause in contracts with hotels. The replacements will be dubb... Read More
The startup lingo bingo
News / Online
The startup lingo bingo
By PhocusWire | December 16, 2014
Hang out with startup kids long enough, and you’ll notice that they have their own language.... Read More
Lastminute.com sold to Bravofly Rumbo for $120 million
News
Lastminute.com sold to Bravofly Rumbo for $120 million
By Kevin May | December 16, 2014
Sabre has managed to offload its European online travel agency Lastminute.com to the Bravofly Rumbo Group. The binding offer to acquire the OTA is expected to hand Sabre $120 million and will close... Read More
Startup pitch: StayFaster helps hotels protect the (loyalty) crown jewels
News / Distribution
Startup pitch: StayFaster helps hotels protect the (loyalty) crown jewels
By Linda Fox | December 16, 2014
The dual angst of the impact of online travel agencies on hotel companies as well as the challenge of finding suitable vacations for families spurred StayFaster's founders to develop the startup. T... Read More
Tuniu grabs $148 million as Alibaba rival JD ups travel presence
News / Distribution
Tuniu grabs $148 million as Alibaba rival JD ups travel presence
By Kevin May | December 16, 2014
The industry might think the online travel land-grab is between Priceline and Expedia - but you should probably look to the east. As the digital behemoth Alibaba continues to scare the socks of alm... Read More
The end of the age of the travel app - hello, SnapApps
News / Technology
The end of the age of the travel app - hello, SnapApps
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne | December 16, 2014
Every day we see it:  Try me!! Download my brand new, amazing travel app!! NOW!!! But then we also have the dark side. The recent reports of poor app store security, for example, or poorly desig... Read More
Carpooling enters the US, wants to bring long distance rides to Uber users
News
Carpooling enters the US, wants to bring long distance rides to Uber users
By Kevin May | December 15, 2014
European ride-sharing app Carpooling is trying to tackle the US marketplace - and hopes an integration with Uber will help. The Germany-based company, which in the past has received backing to the... Read More
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