The Scan: VirtualTourist seeks 8th Wonder, Knok raises, Cleartrip's app and more travel technology news

VirtualTourist, Apple-WifiSlam, Cleartrip, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Monarch Airlines, Knok, Comcast Business Hospitality, Hotwire, Dolphin Dynamics, TigerBay, Egencia, Concur and InterContinental Hotels Group all make our round up of travel tech news on March 28.

VirtualTourist announces the search for the 8th Wonder of the World. In partnership with TV Show "Extra," the company is seeking nominations from CVBs and destination marketers. "Tourism Boards are invited to submit a nomination, whether an ancient, natural or manmade landmark from the area they represent, to be voted on by the general public." Nominate here. Appleacquires two year old startup, WifiSlam for $20 million. The startup allows a user's smartphone to pinpoint its location (and the location of their friends) in real-time to 2.5m accuracy using only ambient WiFi signals that are already present in buildings. Also, WifiSlam builds location-based mobile apps that, for the first time, engage with users at the scale that personal interaction actually takes place. Applications range from step-by-step indoor navigation, to product-level retail customer engagement, to proximity-based social networking. A threat to Google's Business Photos? Cleartrip has launched a refreshed version of its Android app. The new app boasts a split-screen search display that Cleartrip claims as the world's first to bring it to Android. AirlinesUnited Airlines has launched its native app for Windows Phone 8 platform. In addition to booking travel products, users will be able to\ check in for flights, access mobile boarding passes, monitor flight status details and view their MileagePlus frequent flyer accounts. The app takes advantage of the unique Live Tiles feature in Windows that displays flight status updates directly on the Start screen, United social media networking information, access to United timetables, flight maps and weather status, and Sudoku games. Lufthansa is considering options of either forming a partnership with another carrier or starting its own new long-haul, low-cost carrier model to expand in Asia, says Chief Financial Officer Simone Menne. Monarch Airlines is using a payment solution from Ayden for its website and mobile service. The solution reduces complexity for the airline, helps it manage its card acquirers better and reduces manual processes. Corporate travelEgencia has put together a white paper on the hidden costs of business travel. The report shows travel managers spend up to 25% of their week approving and managing travel arrangements often because of poorly designed technology. InterContinental Hotels Group has become a partner for Concur Open Booking which enables bookings made on the hotel website to be brought back into Concur automatically. The partnership means travellers can link their Concur profile with their IHG loyalty program account as well as get a personalised online experience including e-receipts to pre-populate expense reports. Booking systemsDolphin Dynamics is recruiting in the UK, Australia and Cairo, Egypt, as it forecasts a 30% increase in revenue this year. The booking systems specialist is recruiting for a range of roles including software developers for its newly-opened development centre in Cairo. TigerBay, a reservation system specialist, has announced Chevron Holidays as the first tour operator to use the technology. TigerBay has been supplying a website for the company for two years but recently decided to replace its reservation systems. The technology company launched its system at World Travel Market last year. Other news Spanish holiday exchange startup Knok has raised $675,000 to fuel its continued international expansion. This is on top of the founders' original $323,000 investment. Comcast Business Hospitality has partnered with television personality and restaurateur Robert Irvine to bridge the technology gap for restaurants, hotels and other hospitality businesses. The partnership combines print, new media and in-person events where business owners can met Irvine and learn more about how to integrate technology into everyday employee workflows and guest experiences. Hotwire.com is now integrated with eRevMax's RateTiger and eRevMax Connect services for hotels. This two way XML connectivity will enable hotels to process rate and inventory updates through RateTiger’s XML interface transferring data in real-time, also reservations generated by Hotwire can be delivered into the hotel’s property management system.