Anywayanyday.com, VRMA, Vayant, Inntopia, and TourWrist all make our roundup of the stories making news and driving opinion on 25 September.
TourWrist app integrated with iPhone 5 panoramic camera
TourWrist released the latest update of their panoramic photo app in time for the iPhone 5 release. The update takes full advantage of the new panoramic photo functionality, offering iPhone 5 owners the ability to create and upload panoramic photos of the world around them.
TourWrist has garnered nearly one million downloads and 50,000 panos, in addition to the Macworld Best of Show honor earlier this year, as well as DEMO God and DEMO People's Choice awards in April.
Here's a brief video of the new functionality:
Vacation Rental Managers Association evolves into a new name
The Vacation Rental Managers Association has changed its name to the International Association of Vacation Rental Professionals (IAVRP), reflecting the shifting nature of its vacation rental industry members worldwide.
“The VRMA’s decision to review its branding strategy was about more than a new name or logo; it was about our core brand essence and making sure we still resonate as the vacation rental industry continues to evolve,” explains Steve Trover, association President. “As the IAVRP, we are pledging to be a catalyst that defines and directs the future of our industry, highlighting our professional distinction from others in the vacation rental space.”
The change for the 27 year-old organization will take effect in early 2013.
Vayant joins the Peakwork supplier channel
Vayant Travel Technologies is joining Peakwork's supplier channel.
Vayant now offers via its Pricing Cache solution the unrivalled capability of producing scheduled flight EDF exports without any transactions to the GDS or airline host. The unique Vayant technology enables frequent pushes, up to 24 times a day.
The technology provided by Vayant can also support airline distribution strategies.
Inntopia launches yield management system
Inntopia's latest product is a yield management system for activities, lift tickets and more.
Dubbed YieldView, the tool maximizes product sales yield for activity companies, spas, ground transport providers and resorts. By using similar pricing strategies employed by airlines and hotels, companies can benefit from the full integration of all activity and service categories, including discounts, pricing and availability, into their booking system.
“Ski resorts have become increasingly sophisticated with their pricing strategies,” says Trevor Crist, Inntopia CEO. “Several of our partner resorts have been asking for enhanced yielding tools, and so we have responded to those needs with this new offering.”
Anywayanyday.com hires Merril Lynch for stock sale
Russia's leading OTA Anywayanyday.com has brought in Merril Lynch for a $40m private stock sale. The large travel booking website will look to Merril Lynch's private and institutional investors as it heads towards an IPO later in the year. Previously valued at $200 million, the company's new valuation is not known, and is expected to increase alongside the 70% growth in online ticket sales in 2012.