Brands try to avoid Twitter hijackings, AirAsia and AirWatch each receive venture capital investment, Google expands Flight Search, four new travel company APIs debut, Airbnb, HomeAway, TripAdvisor and FlipKey create a short term rentals resource, Louvre Hotels touts its new upsell tool, and other stories all make our shortlist in the Scan for February 25.
"Twitter Hackings Put Focus on Security for Brands."
The New York Times reports that big brands, including Burger King, Jeep, NBC News, and USA Today, have recently had their social media accounts hijacked.
The NYT alludes to one method for brands to stay clean: Use enterprise software, such as HootSuite, which restricts password access and adds security sockets layer protection.
Hotel tech
Paris-based Louvre Hotels Group today said it will implementNor1's "end-to-end upsell platform at all of the hospitality group's current and future hotels."
Investments
Malaysia's low cost carrier AirAsia will invest between $30 to $60 million into its airline venture, in partnership with India's Tata Sons and Arun Bhatia-promoted Telstra Tradeplace.
Google watch
Google expanded its Flight Search metasearch tool to cover up to 500 international destinations, originating in the US. Truly global flight search is still in the works.
Airline tech
AirWatch, seller of enterprise mobile management (EMM) technology, has closed a $200 million Series A investment. Six of the worlds ten largest global airlines and two of the top three global hotel groups use the company's products.
APIs debut
Looking for travel APIs to play with? ProgrammableWeb is now touting the APIs for DealAngel, eBookers, FlightExplorer, and Momondo.
OTA news
Today four of the leading American online companies — Airbnb, HomeAway, TripAdvisor and FlipKey —selling time in short-term rental properties officially announced the launch of the Short Term Rental Advocacy Center (STRAC). It's described as
"an online resource for homeowners, property managers, residents, travelers and policymakers interested in learning more about best practices in regulation of the short-term rental marketplace."
Orbitz announced today the release of its first native app for iPad, which processes bookings for flights, hotels, and rental cars.