GoPlanit launches “one-click travel planner”

September 18, 2008 | Online Travel

We love to travel, but we don�t always have the time to spend researching and organizing our trips. GoPlanit is redefining the travel industry by launching a planning tool that saves users time by creating a personalized trip at the click of a button. CEO Steve Chen announced GoPlanit�s public launch while presenting on stage as a finalist during this year�s TechCrunch 50 Conference on Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

GoPlanit takes your preferences and budget into account when creating your personalized trip itinerary. The recommendation engine suggests the most popular and highest-rated items for each destination. It also takes into consideration the location of each recommended item, hours of operation, and friends� recommendations when creating your custom plan.

Collaborating with your friends is just as easy. You can invite them to join you on your trip by simply adding them as guests using the console in the planning tool. There are currently two options for friends who have been invited � moderators and guests. Moderators can modify the trip�s details while guests will be taken to a read-only version of the group�s plans. �We know that many trips involve more than just one person,� said COO Jimmy Ku. �So, we�ve taken those considerations in mind when creating our group-planning functionality. With our unique drag-and-drop calendar interface, I believe we offer the most flexible way to create a group trip.�

Once your trip has been created, GoPlanit automatically generates a travel guide that can be printed and taken offline on your trip. You can also export your trip plan onto calendaring systems like iCal, Outlook, and Google Calendar.

GoPlanit mobile also saves you more time during and after your trip. With our mobile browser-based application, you can access your trip details and search for nearby things to do directly from your mobile phone. It�s also easier than ever to remember your experiences with our travel microblogging feature. You can update your trip journal with text and pictures in real-time and allow friends to follow your latest developments. The microblog also automatically tags each entry with the appropriate activity, ratings and time.