The regular Tnooz roundup of product news from around the travel, tourism and hospitality industry, all with a technology, online and digital twist - Wednesday 20 April 2011.
- AirTran Airways and Expedia signed a marketing and distribution agreement, meaning the airline's fares and inventory will continue to be available on Expedia.com, Hotwire and Egencia websites in the U.S. AirTran is slated to merge, pending regulatory approval, with Southwest Airlines, which doesn't make its fares available on online travel agency websites. AirTran has been an Expedia partner since 2006.
- Next One Interactive says it will be debuting a bundled advertising program May 2 and will be initially targeting travel advertisers. The platform includes TV ads, travel video on demand, broadband telecasts and wireless network access via mobile devices. Launch customers for a 90-day trial include four cruise, tour and hotel/resort industry suppliers, Next One Interactive says.
- European payment service provider Realex partners with new rail site Quno. Realex will be handling processing of all credit and debit card payments for the fledgling SilverRail-run OTA.