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Next wave of travel websites feels like MySpace

July 20, 2006 |

"Travel 2.0," or the second wave of travel sites on the Web, is doing it in part by harnessing the same Web 2.0 "social networking" resources that have made websites such as MySpace.com an Internet phenomenon.

Exploring the mysteries of an exotic vacation spot can be part of the adventure. But for most travelers, the more they know before they go, the better they feel.

Only a few years back, the big travel aggregators on the Web, such as Travelocity, Expedia, and Orbitz, revolutionized travel by putting a lot more information in the hands of travelers. But now a raft of new Internet companies are trying to give even more power to the people, providing them with deeper and more specific information. “Travel 2.0,” or the second wave of travel sites on the Web, is doing it in part by harnessing the same Web 2.0 “social networking” resources that have made websites such as MySpace.com an Internet phenomenon.

“We feel like it’s going to be a tremendously disruptive time. We think it’s going to change who the players are” in online travel, says John Bray, a vice president at PhoCusWright Inc., an independent travel and tourism research firm in Sherman, Conn., that has spent the past 13 years closely watching how the travel industry uses the Internet. “It’s going to stimulate a lot of positive change because anything that empowers consumers is great for business.”

For example, TripAdvisor.com, which bills itself as the largest travel community in the world (3.5 million registered users), is plopped squarely in the middle of the Travel 2.0 camp, says spokesman Brooke Ferencsik.

Its motto, “real stories from real travelers,” gets to the heart of the matter: Much of the content is provided by those who visit the site and share their experiences. The material goes far beyond simply rating a hotel or resort. In forums, for example, visitors can discuss all aspects of a destination with others who have been there or are planning a trip.

Get the full story at The Christian Science Monitor

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