A specialized, end-to-end travel-related search guide for content and services is a perfect online getaway for travelers, keen to crisscross the world. The core idea is to facilitate discovery of airline, hotel and other tourist-friendly options to find a good deal. A comprehensive and intuitive display that enables them to check and compare top travel websites is something globetrotters greatly appreciate. And this is where a niche travel search tool comes into play.
Search with ‘mindcontrol’
Started by Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz cofounders, Kayak has exactly positioned itself in that slot. Once users finalize their choices, it offers a cue for actual booking process, directing them to the relevant booking pages. The tool has just announced a new technology, codenamed ‘mindcontrol’.
A proprietary software, it enables users to harness the latent power of their mind and implement a travel search with sheer thought. Sounds incredible! Well! The engineers have created an online tutorial designed to acquaint users with the basic steps to successfully search on Kayak simply by using or applying their mind. In addition, its hotel query results will comprise Jetsetter reviews, pricing and hotel photos on over 600 Jetsetter-approved properties across the globe.
The platform has been further strengthened thanks to a tie-up with TripAdvisor for reviews and filtering of hotel listings on basis of the latter’s ratings and opinions while looking for accommodation on Kayak. As of now, its hotel service will incorporate review for more than 1,400 from the renowned travel magazine, Travel + Leisure.
Prominent online travel search tools
Kayak reached a major milestone this January processing more than 100 million tourist queries and requests for information regarding flights, hotels, car rental and other travel related searches on its site as well as mobile apps on iPad, iPhone, and Android. It also surpassed the mark of 12 million downloads in the same month.
Vayama is also a popular online travel tool that gives people a wide choice in international air travel. Employing the latest web technologies, it offers a vast selection of airlines, flights, fares etc for the lowest prices and best possible schedule options. Another prominent avenue to explore travel plan and fare structures is Expedia.
Flight Search tool from Google
Meanwhile, Google is trying to create a foothold in the online travel services and search space, even facing charges of monopolistic approach by its rivals. The company extended its Flight Search tool a couple of months ago to mobiles to let users access it on iPhone and Android phones. The service offers quick and efficient flight search facility. In response to a specific query, it produces an easy to scan list. With the flight tool, users can conveniently discover the various sites on a map, check ticket by surfing it, and also filter on basis of price, airline, flight duration etc. The calendar icon tells them the dates that will get you low prices.
Google started placing its service of flight-search right atop generic search results a few months ago to have its own results displayed above links to other players like Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz Worldwide, prompting allegations that it was overpowering them in the domain of Web search, gaining an unfair advantage in the online travel business worth almost $110 billion.
