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@ Claude

I agree it is time consuming, and I spend way too much time on sites like Twitter, but I did a small poll the other day (only 5-8% of my followers took part) but 73% had never heard of my blog until they joined Twitter – so raising awareness of your brand, I do think social media works.

@ Gareth

I think mobile is just going to get bigger and bigger, with more phones coming on to the market, 3G, and the new generation of phones like the iPhone and G1 etc. For me as a traveller to be able to get destination information and advice on the move is very useful.

@ Sam

I wanted to mention the interaction on Twitter because I think its important to give a scenario. Yes, its time consuming, and yes, companies want to see a profit, but some point companies will have to realise its about community and more and more companies want interaction online – be it social media, forum or online help.

@ Pete

I think Trip Advisor hide their association with Expedia quite well on the site – how many consumers actually visit the about us page – I bet very few, I know I have never visited it until now. Why don’t they have a notice at the footer of their site, or do they have something to hide?

@ Sheila

Lastminute.com are doing some good things with mobile, but as you say, its very few companies that are jumping on the bandwagon. I think they will realise in time, and for some companies it’ll be too late. It was interesting to read all about SXSWi, would love to go one year.

@ First Green

What’s your real name? I think FlipKey could emerge within the vacation rental market, it was quite a slow, quiet takeover from TA, but as I mentioned it would not surprise me if they break in to the market and buy-out, the question like you mention, is who.

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“it would not surprise me if we see an acquisition of a vacation rental site to increase their portfolio of rentals for FlipKey”

I thought homeway had bought them all?

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After our SXSWi travel blogging panel in Austin last week, Lonely Planet’s Matthew Cashmore showed me the LP iPhone app, which is full of travel content right there on his mobile. He showed me their Austin info, and as a local, I recommended at least one place for them to add – loved having input right there!

I’m happy that Lonely Planet has done this but frustrated that other high-quality travel content organizations (and magazines!) can’t seem to move fast enough to make an iPhone app. I know several talented but equally frustrated people within those organizations who see what is happening and are shoving their bosses along as fast as they can, but they can only do so much on their own.

The C-suites must wake up.

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Regarding TripAdvisor, in what way are they hiding their relationship to Expedia? Clicking on their “About Us” link leads to a paragraph that says: “TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE).”

That said, I think their flights search is going to do well and I wonder if they’ll start including user reviews for individual carriers and routes.

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