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Social networks target business travelers

July 08, 2008 | Online Travel

Researching a business trip once involved guidebooks and the advice of a handful of friends. But if corporate travel companies have their way, executives will soon be consulting social networking sites and an endless stream of strangers for the secrets of the road.

Word of mouse is the latest trend in online travel planning, and a variety of corporate travel companies are setting up networking sites in hopes of becoming the dominant player - the Facebook of corporate travel.

Expedia and American Express Business Travel are announcing their new offerings this month. The Internet travel site Orbitz had one of the first networking sites, but it, too, is trying to increase participation by sending out e-mail messages to members to promote its Traveler Update.

Cindy Estis Green, author of “Travel Marketers’ Guide to Social Media and Social Networks,” said she thought the surge of interest in social networking was mainly due to the time savings it represents.

Get the full story at International Herald Tribune

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