Technology in Focus 2 May 2012
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Conferences and discussions amongst the travel industry continue to push the need for an online strategy, whether that is through social media or your website. Here are some of the advancements announced at the Advantage conference last week.
Net Effect to launch Pinterest-style site
Net Effect is to launch a new Pinterest-style travel website that will save clients’ internet searches, it has revealed. Steve Rushton, co-founder of Net Effect said the site, named mytripwall.com, will keep tabs on internet searches and then allow the consumer to email a travel agent to get a quote based on what they liked online. Pins on the social media site could range from images seen on a website to a blog post, or an inspirational story in one of the national newspapers. With Pinterest gaining in popularity in a matter of months, the image-based social network is said to now drive more traffic to websites than Facebook and Twitter. “This is another tool to connect consumers with the travel agent network,” said Rushton.
Advantage announces new online initiative
Advantage has teamed up with digital media company etv to boost its members’ online presence. Colin O’Neill, sales and marketing director at Advantage said a prototype of the site is currently being built, which will offer bookable sites tailored to the agency and “help them move forward”. He added the site will include ‘sensible’ holiday options typically searched for, as well as ‘wild card’ possibilities. Advantage is now in talks with members to build an order book for the initiative.
Jet2holidays plans API
Jet2holidays is to launch an API to expand its booking capabilities. The north-based tour operator revealed the news at the Advantage conference last week although a definite launch date is currently unknown.
