This is the regular Tnooz roundup of product news from around the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, all with a technology, online and digital twist - Friday 2 September 2011.
- gapyear.com relaunched its website and rolled a Short Gaps section focusing on trips for shorter durations. Geared for independent travelers, Short Gaps includes travel advice on trip types such as InterRailing, Overland Tours, Snow Zones and Volunteering. Flight Centre Group acquired gapyear in 2010 and funded the relaunch, gapyear says.
- Touchdown Prepaid and Rev Worldwide introduced CashCase Visa Prepaid Card, a multiple currency prepaid card offering retail discounts and mobile technology. Travelers can alternate between using British Pounds, Euros and U.S. dollars for online and other retail purchases, and for ATM withdrawals with vendors which accept Visa. Integrated YAP mobile payments technology enables travelers to send and receive money and to monitor their account balances, the companies say.
- iwannagothere launched 15 Android and iPhone city guides for locales ranging from Amsterdam to Tapei. The Madrid guide is free, but the others cost $3.99 per download. The mobile guides feature nontouristy places, including shops and architecture. All of the content is available when connected and offline, as well, the company says.
- Kuoni Connect agreed to distribute 15,000 hotels in some 22,000 destinations through the Dolphin Dynamics booking platform. Dolphin Dynamics users can book these properties, located in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America and Australia, along with flights and car rentals sourced from the Web and global distribution system.