In today's edition: Ebookers pads it up, CTrip regroups, new Kayak ad, ICE cool from Dolphin, Pegasus-Hotelzon joy.
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 - Wednesday 4 May 2011.
- More iPad appisms this week with European online travel agency Ebookers unveiling its first foray into the product. But rather than focus on replicating its existing mobile booking website, developer Fortune Cookie has opted for a "inspiration" product (Ebookers Explorer), bringing in travel related content feeds from around the web onto the a product and map platform.
- Need to book a collection of hotel rooms in China - CTrip claims to have the answer with the launch of a group buying service for business and leisure travellers. The Chinese online travel agency giant claims hotel rooms are often 30% to 80% lower in price when booked as a group.
- Another new TV ad for Kayak this week, following in the steps of its recent foray into UK TV advertising and the infamous Mandy campaign.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZCvuNbFMD4
- Hot news from ICE and Dolphin Dynamics after completing a project to consolidate sales and back office technology across Europe. The switch gives 130 of the cruise and leisure travel experiences specialist ICE sales team access to the Dolphin reservation and booking management system.
- Trebles all round for Pegasus Solutions and online corporate booking company Hotelzon with news of a 26% increase in reservations as a result of their distribution agreement. The pair have now renewed the deal for another four years, giving business travel agencies access to hotel reservation systems around the world. The deal processed 1.5 million room nights in 2010.