HOTELMARKETING.COM

Google Maps: The new way to find hotels

February 08, 2005 |

Google on Tuesday quietly launched a beta site for a new map service that will change the way travelers search for hotels.

In its latest play in the ongoing search wars, Google on Tuesday quietly launched a beta site for a new map service. Google Maps offers maps, driving directions and the ability to search for local businesses.

A search for example for hotels in Austin, Texas (click to view result) will present you with an interactive map listing hotels and their locations. A click on a hotel will give you the hotel address and phone number, driving directions as well as the site name of the top Google search result for that hotel and a link to see all Google search results for the selected hotel.

It appears that Google is working with TeleAtlas for the mapping products.

The ongoing search battles between Google and companies like Yahoo and Microsoft have led to new features and enhancements coming out almost weekly. Localization and mapping products have been a particular focus because they’re popular with advertisers.

Even Amazon.com has gotten into the game, offering a service through its A9.com search unit that shows digital photos of storefronts in its U.S. business listings.

Google had already been experimenting with mapping products. It recently bought satellite imaging company Keyhole, which makes software that lets Internet users view geographic images collected from satellites and airplanes.

Visit our sponsors: