Google wants to move into the foray of online travel agency, as it wants to buy a software for $700 million, although it is still pending approval from the U.S. Justice Department. It is concerning for few as some believe it might give undue influence over the the online flight industry. Google proposed to buy ITA software, a flight information service provider but the online travel agencies have shown the objection on the basis of Google having a monopolistic control over online travel.
ITA software provides information on flight schedules and flight costs comparison. Expedia is a reputed name in the industry and Expedia deals are attractive offers for the customers. And it us Expedia and Kayak which are against the deal to be executed. However, Google has argued that it has no plans to venture into seling of services but only provide information. As Google wants the potential customers to get to the site which provides the services. The online travel business is of 80 billion annually, and Google’s foray into the industry will be an entry into the another expanding markets.
Expedia, one of the world’s largest online travel portal has decided to increase the investment in India. Expedia declared that it wil make an investment of 25 crores in the Indian market with the purpose to grow in the Indian market.
The company has mentioned that it will invest in marketing and branding activities, and also provide an offer of Zero Expedia Fee to the Indian customer. As a part of new marketing initiatives Expedia also plans to launch a new campaign Big Daddy of Online Travel. The company will also provide the facility of changing or canceling the bookings without any fees or charges.
The company will showcase Expedia’s ability to provide services of more than 130000 hotels, 430 airline partnerships and over 5000 holiday activities. Expedia deals with such Expedia Flights services and other hotel reservations it will certainly increase the indian customers.
Expedia Online will provide the service in your home with completing all the details on the internet.
The company also plans to bring in new initiatives such as 3D billboards, airport activations, Volvo bus wraps etc, In the first phase the company plans to launch in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore with print, outdoor and online marketing.
Several drivers were left stranded between Glasgow and Edinburgh on night of 6th December, as the snowy weather lead to a disruption on Scotland roads. Multiple breakdown and traffic incidents led to a major congestion due to which the people were advised avoid the route. Lothian and Borders police had several problems due to the weather and it led to a standstill.
People got stranded with families stuck in car, cars running out of batteries. People had become desperate. The freezing weather has not only stuck the families but even the delivery of gifts for Christmas seems to be threatened by the snow. This certainly might dampen the celebrations of people. The consumers are expected that they might spend £633 million through online shopping but the courier companies are afraid of timely delivery because of the backlogs due to snow and it is expected that the delay might be of next three weeks.
Many companies had to share the inability of timely delivery promises made to the public. Amazon declared the delay of a day or two and Royal mail suspended its guaranteed next day service. Road haulage association has declared to try their best to complete timely delivery of the products. This might affect the online travel agency like expedia online in which the travelers might avoid traveling to such places.
People who are going on adventure tours are requested for taking out their travel insurance. The adventure tourist consist of various tours such as snowboarders and skiers. However, the focus is not on taking the insurance only as it is equally important to know the fine printed rules and regulations, terms and conditions. Expedia Destinations are one type of website which provides online reservation for the adventure tourism destinations.
The new Foreign office drive has the objective in mind which is willing to reduce the number of holiday accidents. It has decided to highlight even too much drinking of alcohol on strange slopes. In a survey which was conducted as a Know before you go campaign, more than third or 42% of the people in Scotland informed that they do not take the Travel Insurance for their winter sports trips. It was only 24% them read the small prints. It is more than 50% of the people do not know the fact that the travel insurance does not cover accidents which happen off-piste. With the cases like Expedia Online, the online travel reservation sites which help to provide reservation services online can act as a benefit if they provide such information which often the people are looking for.
It is important to have fun on the vacation but it can come to an end if met with an acident and the insurance is not taken. Medical treatment and repatriation may get thousands of pounds from the pocket.
The multi billion pound bail out of the Irish banking system is assumed to not affect the business travel between the republic and the UK
The banks in Ireland were on a total collapse after which UK had decided to provide the Irish government of around 7 billion pound loan out of the total of 77 billion pound loan from the European union. As Ireland is one of the key trading partners and it has been observed that the export to the Emerald isle is more than the BRIC countries put together. It also includes the fact that the country’s companies and financial institutions rely on finance and credit from the Irish banking system. For Online travel agency like Expedia Online it is a good news as this wont affect their business nor the hospitality industry.
Although the public anger and discontent is increasing the general election is being called by the Irish Green party. The bail out already being effective is expected to provide the business with executives continuing to travel. The contribution done by UK is being appreciated and the country expects to return it. Another critical aspect is the Germany supporting the weaker eurozone countries which will lead to a collapse of the Euro. The expectations from Ireland is to sustain and if possible grow the business travel which indicates business travel will be buoyant.
Deloitte Consultants have conducted a poll in UK, Germany, Italy and Spain amongst 4000 people to know their travel expectations for the coming year. The results have led to the conclusion that the business travel might decline in 2011. The major reason for the uncertainity are the rise in VAT from 17.5% to 20% which might lead to a cut in spending of corporate travel budgets.
The impact could be seen as the respondents replied that the travel budgets would see a cut of around more than 50% and in Italy was 47%.
Even the survey which was conducted by the agency which had results of previous year had mentioned that a stagnant increase of 3% from 60% to 63% in the UK and Spain from 64% to 65%. However, there was a significant increase in people staying in German hotels which had seen an increase from 45% to 55%. The agency pointed out that the hotels are expecting a slow recovery from the recent recession. When asked a bigger question 69% of respondents said that they were cautious in the recent coming time. Just 7% of people expected that there would be a strong recovery. It was only 9% of the people which expected a double dip expression.
The Online Travel Agency like Expedia Online might decide to have the Expedia Flights cost in such a way that the business class continues to travel and is not much affected by the recession impacts.
A high profile Middle Eastern Businessman is planning to takeover the UK tourism industry giants. A report by WTM global trends in association with Euromonitor International predicts Middle eastern businesses are being considered as the frontrunners for the UK tourism industry’s well known brands such as Savoy, Grosvenor House, Claridge’s, Berkeley, Connaught.
UK was severely hit by the recent recession which has weakened its economy and this has led to weakening of the Sterling in comparison to the dollar. This has made UK a more attractive destination for the Middle East countries investors.
The 2009 Finance Act has waived the Capital Gains tax and Stamp Duty which has led to an increase in investment in the UK. Even the statistics of Capgemini has reveled that there are more than 400,000 millionaires which have a combined wealth of £950 Billion. Even the people from the Middle east consider making investment in UK. Last year the Middle east tourist have spend around £810 million in UK because of the free tax shopping services. Even the UK border has decided to increase the centres in Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Dubai to cope with the increasing demands. All of this, can affect the online travel agency like Expedia and others as the people from middle east may prefer to travel more not only for investment purpose but even for package holiday.
UK has issued a new travel advisory to Philippines. However, the UK government has not changed the travel advisory significantly. Very few changes have been done on the same as it has added only certain points or locations which might be terror prone. The Philippine government has welcomed the decision taken by the UK foreign and commonwealth office.
Philippine President Aquino’s thought was responded by the statement that the bases of issuing the travel advisory should be informed. The only destination Manila is considered to be a terror threat according to the authorities for which the travel advisory had undergone certain changes. The FCO had informed the Philippine Embassy officials said that the travel advisory had not made a new advisory but had only added certain minor points for places which are terror prone.
Even the assistant secretary of Department of Foreign Affairs had informed about the UK government believing that the level of threat has not changed for over a year. Secretary Coloma said that he appreciated the decision taken by the UK foreign and Commonwealth office about the change in Travel advisory issued to Philippines. Online Travel Agency like Expedia may find it good to promote it as it has being declared as a safe holiday destination
Europe’s destination Austria is planning to imply passenger tax has been highly criticized by Europe’s airlines. Austria seems to be the next country to be levied with the air passenger tax. The decision will be taken by the Association of European airlines, which represents 35 European carriers. The authority said that the departure tax will hit the passengers travel for Austria travelers and also the international travelers. However, even Vienna has lost its attractiveness for tourist.
It is expected that the tax levied would be around €8 for travelers of short distance and €40 for long distance travelers which is expected to be effective from March 2011.
It all started with Ryan Air reducing the number of flights to Germany for implying the departure tax €8 by the German government. The company has decided to reduce 100 flights every week to the Frankfurt Hahn base from Summer 2011. Plans are to move it to another base where tourist are welcomed than taxed. Even the British Authorities are upset about the rise by 55% from November 1. It means that traveling via another departure point would become more preferable option for the travelers. Austrian Travelers can travel to Switzerland or Bratislava to avoid tax. The online Travel agencies like Expedia might need to redesign their air travel services and Expedia Holiday Packages according to the changing regulations.
Greek Island Mykonos has been emerged as the most popular spot in the Europe. It is an Island in the Aegan Sea and is a part of Cyclades. The place also has a historical background where it is said that it is the same place where Zeus supposedly battled Titans. The place these days is famous for the DJ party on the beach side bars.
The result is on the basis of a travel magazine in which people had voted. Also, another place called Skye in Scotland was voted as one of the most beautiful places in Europe. As the competition was not that simple with places like Hvar and Sicily The Turkish Island of Bozcaada came second which was followed by Ibiza.
The news seems to really encourage Scotland and especially from the fact that it comes from the visitors. It is also worth noting that the survey was conducted on approximately 25000 people voted in awards. This is also good news for the travel agencies, like Expedia who need to have a tab on these destinations. It would seem to be profitable for the Hospitality industry of Europe and also the services by Expedia like Expedia Flights can help to explore the business opportunities from these tourist destinations.