This site uses a Google Map to display Last Minute Vacation Rentals, which they define as rentals that available in the coming two-week period (sounds appropriate to me). Last minute rentals are not necessarily a Web 2.0 phenomenon, but the use of Google Maps is. All you do is click on the Map Pin to get an instant pop up of the property -- incredibly fast, fun and easy to use! They don't have a lot of properties up at the moment, probably because they are so new.
I think we will soon be seeing more of these kinds of mapping applications beyond the last minute travel realm.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
MBA & Ph.D. in eTourism
A Web 2.0 Tool? Possibly. In any event, there is nothing like a good dose of higher education to help that salary and career along...
-----Original Message-----
From: Frew, Andrew [AFrew@QMUC.ac.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 7:52 AM
To: TRINET-L@HAWAII.EDU
Subject: Ph.D. scholarships
There are opportunities to study for a Ph.D. in the field of eTourism:
By the way our MBA (eTourism) survey is still open if you are interested.
Kind regards, Andy
Andrew J Frew, Ph.D.
Professor/Chair of IT and Tourism; Director, SITI
School of Business and Enterprise, Queen Margaret University College
33 Clerwood Terrace, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH8 12TS, UK
Tel +44 131 317 3596; Fax +44 131 317 3777
Queen Margaret University College has been named Britain’s top higher education college in The Sunday Times University Guide 2005
- Editor-in-Chief; Information Technology and Hospitality
- President, Hospitality IT Association, HITA;
- President, International Federation of IT in Travel & Tourism, (IFITT)
Advisory Board, HITEC
-----Original Message-----
From: Frew, Andrew [AFrew@QMUC.ac.uk]
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 7:52 AM
To: TRINET-L@HAWAII.EDU
Subject: Ph.D. scholarships
There are opportunities to study for a Ph.D. in the field of eTourism:
- Tourism, Sustainability and New Technology
- Destinations and the Public-Private Sector Interface in eTourism
- Business Model Options for Successful Interaction between Travel Intermediaries (eMediaries) and Destination Systems
By the way our MBA (eTourism) survey is still open if you are interested.
Kind regards, Andy
Andrew J Frew, Ph.D.
Professor/Chair of IT and Tourism; Director, SITI
School of Business and Enterprise, Queen Margaret University College
33 Clerwood Terrace, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH8 12TS, UK
Tel +44 131 317 3596; Fax +44 131 317 3777
Queen Margaret University College has been named Britain’s top higher education college in The Sunday Times University Guide 2005
- Editor-in-Chief; Information Technology and Hospitality
- President, Hospitality IT Association, HITA;
- President, International Federation of IT in Travel & Tourism, (IFITT)
Advisory Board, HITEC
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Podbop.org - Local bands podcast
Podbop is more entertainment than travel, but since so much of travel is recreation and entertainment, I think it probably fits here. This is a cool website/tool. Type in the name of a US city (unfortunately it is not yet available for the rest of the world) and you will be giving a list of upcoming live concerts and events, with links to some other event sites. The cool part is that you also get an RSS feed that will feed songs from the bands that are coming to your town. I am assuming that it works, as I have just subscribed for my town and have yet to download anything.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
VCarious.com Travel
Another social website worth checking out.
From the website:
VCarious is a community-based travel site. You can use VCarious to explore the world through dynamic travel guides and photos, meet other travelers, and share your experiences with family and friends.
Start by using GeoExplorer to browse content from all over the map. To find something specific try a Search. Want to meet friends? Try the User Search. Contribute to VCarious by editing any of the guides or listings. Or share your trip by adding your own journal and photos. Happy Travels!
From the website:
VCarious is a community-based travel site. You can use VCarious to explore the world through dynamic travel guides and photos, meet other travelers, and share your experiences with family and friends.
Start by using GeoExplorer to browse content from all over the map. To find something specific try a Search. Want to meet friends? Try the User Search. Contribute to VCarious by editing any of the guides or listings. Or share your trip by adding your own journal and photos. Happy Travels!
Monday, February 06, 2006
Is Podcasting "The death of the guidebook? "
I saw this posted on the Amateur Traveler podcast shownotes (thanks Chris2!). I tend to agree with the conclusions to the article that guidebooks will not go away (I'll take a paper map over one on my PDA anytime!) -- and that destination podcasts will only grow in popularity. Most people want to learn as much as they can about the places that they visit and podcasts make a great supplement to guidebooks -- unless maybe if you are into Experimental Tourism!
NEW: Digital options lighten load for tourists - By Reuters February 18, 2006, 1:59 PM PST
NEW: Digital options lighten load for tourists - By Reuters February 18, 2006, 1:59 PM PST
Friday, February 03, 2006
TravelPod - The Web's Original Travel Blog
(click on title above to go to webpage)
TravelPod.com is devoted exclusively to travel blogs, aka online "travel journals" and "travelogues." Started in 1997, it probably was the first website to offer this service. Membership (which is free) allows you to submit blog entries about your trip, upload photographs, and even upload video and audio files (travel podcasts). You can create an address book of people who will be notified each time you make a blog entry of file upload. And, TravelPod will track your entries on a world map for others to see. Pretty cool!
Members also have access to personal guest books (blog visitors), budget travel resources, email accountes, newsletters, and discussion forums.
I started my blogging life this past year when my daughter recommended that I do a blog for a trip that I was taking the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia. I spent many a late evening writing up blog entires on my laptop, which I later uploaded to blogger/blogspot.com. For my next trip blog, I will probably be using TravelPod!
TravelPod.com is devoted exclusively to travel blogs, aka online "travel journals" and "travelogues." Started in 1997, it probably was the first website to offer this service. Membership (which is free) allows you to submit blog entries about your trip, upload photographs, and even upload video and audio files (travel podcasts). You can create an address book of people who will be notified each time you make a blog entry of file upload. And, TravelPod will track your entries on a world map for others to see. Pretty cool!
Members also have access to personal guest books (blog visitors), budget travel resources, email accountes, newsletters, and discussion forums.
I started my blogging life this past year when my daughter recommended that I do a blog for a trip that I was taking the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Asia. I spent many a late evening writing up blog entires on my laptop, which I later uploaded to blogger/blogspot.com. For my next trip blog, I will probably be using TravelPod!
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Podcasts about Tourism and Travel
(click the title above to access this website)
Some say that blogging was the birth of Web 2.0. Podcasting is essentially audio blogging and there has been a gradually growing number of podcasts related to travel. Travel and tourism podcasts tend to be of three types (with considerable overlap among individual podcasts):
Mark Peacock of the Travel Commons podcast suggested that travel podcasts can also be divided into those that are Original (specifically for podcasting) and those that are Repurposed (originally broadcast as traditional radio programs, for example).
Here is a recent article on Travel Podcasts:
Digital options lighten load for tourists - By Reuters February 18, 2006, 1:59 PM PST
NEW and Under Construction: Travelcasts - Travel and Tourism Podcasts Blog
Some say that blogging was the birth of Web 2.0. Podcasting is essentially audio blogging and there has been a gradually growing number of podcasts related to travel. Travel and tourism podcasts tend to be of three types (with considerable overlap among individual podcasts):
- Destination Podcasts (describing and selling destinations)
- Travel Experience Podcasts (including sound-seeing tours)
- Travel/Tourism Industry and Education Podcasts (including news and opinion)
Mark Peacock of the Travel Commons podcast suggested that travel podcasts can also be divided into those that are Original (specifically for podcasting) and those that are Repurposed (originally broadcast as traditional radio programs, for example).
Here is a recent article on Travel Podcasts:
Digital options lighten load for tourists - By Reuters February 18, 2006, 1:59 PM PST
NEW and Under Construction: Travelcasts - Travel and Tourism Podcasts Blog
TripAdvisor.com
TripAdvisor.com is the largest travel review site around, though its focus is mostly on selling hotel rooms. I heard that it was purchased by Expedia in 2005 to add some Web 2.0 to the Expedia website, though other than listing TripAdvisor as a "partner," there is no sign of this on eiter website.
TripAdvisor is far from the community comment tool that Yelp.com and 43Places.com are, but I would guess that they are looking at those sites for future development of their own.
From their website:
The largest site for unbiased travel reviews gives you the real story about hotels, attractions and restaurants around the world. Stories, secrets and special places from people just like you. Search, travel, then share your own experiences.
TripAdvisor is far from the community comment tool that Yelp.com and 43Places.com are, but I would guess that they are looking at those sites for future development of their own.
From their website:
The largest site for unbiased travel reviews gives you the real story about hotels, attractions and restaurants around the world. Stories, secrets and special places from people just like you. Search, travel, then share your own experiences.
- 3,000,000+ unbiased reviews and opinions you can trust
- Updated every minute, every day by real travelers
- "Been there, done that" inside information
- The best deals for your travel dates
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Virtual Malaysia - Malaysia Tourism Portal
I was preparing a talk last year on Tourism Implications of Longtail Economics when I stumbled on the Virtual Malaysia website. Wow! -- they were doing almost everything that I was going to talk about.
Their website is highly interactive, allowing traveler tales and photo sharing; they provide a wide variety of live tools and tips for travelers; they have a section on mobile pocket travel; and they have even created a separate photography community site within their tourism portal. They have videos, music, and a beautiful 360 degree photo gallery! (Though they do not yet have a podcast.)
From the Community section of VirtualMalaysia.com:
On my last visit to Kuala Lumpur I happened to meet the owner of the Virtual Malaysia, and learned that they have received numerous travel industry awards for online innovations. They clearly represent a likely model for a Web 2.0 destination portal, and I expect that many others will be copying them as time goes by. (VirtualMalaysia.com is not associated with any of the government tourism authorities in Malaysia.)
Their website is highly interactive, allowing traveler tales and photo sharing; they provide a wide variety of live tools and tips for travelers; they have a section on mobile pocket travel; and they have even created a separate photography community site within their tourism portal. They have videos, music, and a beautiful 360 degree photo gallery! (Though they do not yet have a podcast.)
From the Community section of VirtualMalaysia.com:
- Welcome to VM Community page, a place where valued users such as you get to take part in our many interesting features that we have installed especially for you. Share your travel experiences, memorable photos, or send personalised E-cards to friends and family. Join our membership programme and enjoy great discount on hotel stay and special discounted rates off VM merchandise! Tell us about your experiences or send us opinions about our portal in our Guestbook. just a little gesture from all of us as a way to say 'Thank You', we sincerely hope that you each and every visit to our website.
On my last visit to Kuala Lumpur I happened to meet the owner of the Virtual Malaysia, and learned that they have received numerous travel industry awards for online innovations. They clearly represent a likely model for a Web 2.0 destination portal, and I expect that many others will be copying them as time goes by. (VirtualMalaysia.com is not associated with any of the government tourism authorities in Malaysia.)
World 66 Guide (and Map Tool)
Wolrd 66 is another wiki travel guide, which allows users to freely edit and add text information (see Wikitravel). Unlike Wikitravel, however, World 66 does not feel like Wikipedia at all, and appears to be pre-loaded with text (Wikitravel has quite a few empty pages). World 66 also includes a useful Accommodation search facility.
The MyWorld66 tab takes you to a Travel Tools list that includes the cool Visited Countries map making tool that I previously blogged on my Geography for Travelers site. In addition to world countries, however, the tools allow you to make maps of US states and Canadian provinces.
Registering with the World66 website gives you "a homepage for your maps and for the other travel tools and your name will appear with the articles you write."
There is also a mobile phone version of the website (world66.com/alt/xhtml) and destination guides are available as .pdf files and in the repligo mobile phone format.
The MyWorld66 tab takes you to a Travel Tools list that includes the cool Visited Countries map making tool that I previously blogged on my Geography for Travelers site. In addition to world countries, however, the tools allow you to make maps of US states and Canadian provinces.
Registering with the World66 website gives you "a homepage for your maps and for the other travel tools and your name will appear with the articles you write."
There is also a mobile phone version of the website (world66.com/alt/xhtml) and destination guides are available as .pdf files and in the repligo mobile phone format.
Wikitravel.org
This is a Worldwide travel guide that looks and feels like Wikipedia (the popular user editable encyclopedia). According to the main page:
You can register and create a My Page, track certain articles, and track your own contributions.
- Wikitravel is a project to create a free, complete, up-to-date and reliable world-wide travel guide. So far we have 6931 destination guides and other articles written and edited by Wikitravellers from around the globe.
You can register and create a My Page, track certain articles, and track your own contributions.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Yelp.com
(click on the title above to go to the website)
From the website: "Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great - and not so great - in your neighborhood and beyond. You already know that asking friends is the best way to find restaurants, dentists, hairstylists, and anything local. Now, Yelp makes it fast and easy to make and receive real reviews from real people." - It covers the SF Bay Area best, but is expanding to other US cities. Hopefully the rest of the world will come next.
Note that CitySearch.com has many more reviews for more places than Yelp, including its own Editorial Profiles. However, it has more of a Web 1.0 interface (feels like the Yellow Pages) and lacks social networking and community building tools.
From the website: "Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great - and not so great - in your neighborhood and beyond. You already know that asking friends is the best way to find restaurants, dentists, hairstylists, and anything local. Now, Yelp makes it fast and easy to make and receive real reviews from real people." - It covers the SF Bay Area best, but is expanding to other US cities. Hopefully the rest of the world will come next.
Note that CitySearch.com has many more reviews for more places than Yelp, including its own Editorial Profiles. However, it has more of a Web 1.0 interface (feels like the Yellow Pages) and lacks social networking and community building tools.
43Places.com
(click on the title above to go to the website)
43Places is a highly interactive social website where people list and discuss both places they want to go to and places where they have been. Quite fascinating, with a lot of travel tips and place descriptions.
43Places also creates a map of the places that you have visited, which can be made accessible on your personal homepage. The process is a bit slower than the Visited Countries mapping tool that is found on World66.com, and it requires registration with the 43Places.com website, which World66.com does not.
BONUS SITE: When you register for 43Places.com you also join the 43Things.com website, where people answer the question: "What do you want to do with your life?" At the time of this posting, "Travel" was he most common tag (at 4278), and the most frequently listed goal that was tagged with Travel was to "Take More Pictures." See the top 15 Travel tagged goals list here.
A third tool that comes with membership in 43Places.com is 43People, where members list the people they have met and would like to meet.
43Places is a highly interactive social website where people list and discuss both places they want to go to and places where they have been. Quite fascinating, with a lot of travel tips and place descriptions.
43Places also creates a map of the places that you have visited, which can be made accessible on your personal homepage. The process is a bit slower than the Visited Countries mapping tool that is found on World66.com, and it requires registration with the 43Places.com website, which World66.com does not.
BONUS SITE: When you register for 43Places.com you also join the 43Things.com website, where people answer the question: "What do you want to do with your life?" At the time of this posting, "Travel" was he most common tag (at 4278), and the most frequently listed goal that was tagged with Travel was to "Take More Pictures." See the top 15 Travel tagged goals list here.
A third tool that comes with membership in 43Places.com is 43People, where members list the people they have met and would like to meet.
Web 2.0 Travel Tools - Goals
This blog is devoted to creating a list of web 2.0 websites and webtools that are, in some way, related to Travel and Tourism.
What is Web 2.0? I suggest these websites to answer that question:
* Web 2.0 : the 24 Minute Documentary (video on TechCruch)
* Web 2.0 Videos and Powerpoint Presentations - If you are a visual learner, this is great
* Wikipedia - "Web 2.0"
* You know you're Web 2.0 when... (Dion Hinchcliffe's Web 2.0 Blog)
* What is Web 2.0 (Tim O'Reilly)
* What Web 2.0 means to you
* Go2Web20.net - The complete Web 2.0 directory - not really very complete as it only contains a handful of travel sites
* Virtual Karma - Complete List of Web 2.0 Applications - a bit more complete because readers can add their own selections in the comments area
What is Web 2.0? I suggest these websites to answer that question:
* Web 2.0 : the 24 Minute Documentary (video on TechCruch)
* Web 2.0 Videos and Powerpoint Presentations - If you are a visual learner, this is great
* Wikipedia - "Web 2.0"
* You know you're Web 2.0 when... (Dion Hinchcliffe's Web 2.0 Blog)
* What is Web 2.0 (Tim O'Reilly)
* What Web 2.0 means to you
* Go2Web20.net - The complete Web 2.0 directory - not really very complete as it only contains a handful of travel sites
* Virtual Karma - Complete List of Web 2.0 Applications - a bit more complete because readers can add their own selections in the comments area
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