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Orbitz ramps up its technology but hits the curb

Last week saw Orbitz launch its revamped mobile booking app, which allows the user to go through the whole booking process without using a mobile website. This should help Orbitz further grow the already impressive 9% of hotel bookings that came through mobile channels in the first quarter.

However the company also hit a speed bump when suggestions surfaced this week that accessing the...

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VCs continue to back sector

Hipmunk has confirmed USD15m of funding from Institutional Venture Partners, illustrating the ongoing interest in the sector from venture capitalists.

The company, which specialises in flight and hotel search, said that it would use the money to add employees, including engineers and marketers, as well as launching a new product “that’s more complete than any other tool...

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Paying for loyalty

Hotel operators have increasingly been seeking to differentiate themselves to owners through their loyalty schemes, sold as a key driver in attracting guests.

According to a study by US-based consultants at PKF, the cost of being part of a guest loyalty to the owner has risen, alongside royalty payments, suggesting that, for franchisors at least, loyalty schemes may not be the draw that...

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TripAdvisor, Facebook continue love-in

TripAdvisor and Facebook have taken the next step in their relationship and are now visiting restaurants together.

TripAdvisor has introduced in beta a new Facebook app, Local Picks, which highlights restaurant recommendations from locals and friends from the 850,000 restaurants it lists, in doing so attempting to further personalise its offering.

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