by Peter B Wright
UK Trail
Email: forums AT uktrail.com
(You are welcome to copy or quote from this article, with acknowledgement.)
Magazine Article Keyword: Booking Engines (OTA's)
Hostelworld recently announced that its travel network, MyWorld has reached its 1 millionth member since its launch in November 2006.
LonelyPlanet.com partners with Hostelworld.com and Expedia.com:
Lonely Planet...has joined forces with two of the world’s leading accommodation providers, Expedia and Hostelworld.com, to deliver a unique accommodation booking service.
Hostelbookers.com lists 10,000 properties in 2,500 destinations. They have reported that bookings in 2008 are up by 83%. Their top 10 most popular destinations in 2008 are:
Hostelworld.com and Boo.com get honors at Webby Awards:
The Irish Times also reports that online hostel booking company Web Reservations International (WRI) is examining the possibility of a trade sale of the firm as an alternative to a flotation of the business in turbulent stock markets.
WRI recently had some changes including a Feargal Mooney becoming chief executive. An Irish newspaper covered the speculation of a stock market floatation:
WRI has a new CEO: Feargal Mooney, 14 Feb 2008:
Web Reservations International (Hostelworld) has launched their new travel site called Boo.com.
TheAge.com just ran an article an article on Lonely Planet's Haystack booking engine.