Comments on: Four speakers that caught my attention at Travolution Summit http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/04/26/speakers-caught-my-attention-travolution-summit/ - Discussions on travel consumer issues Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:48:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Clive http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/04/26/speakers-caught-my-attention-travolution-summit/#comment-145102 Clive Fri, 08 May 2009 13:20:24 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=3816#comment-145102 Iteresting point about social media affecting choice. I would like to delve deeper. I wonder if most people usie it as an openener into their decision making, or if they use it merely to confirm their opinions. I suspect more of the latter. Iteresting point about social media affecting choice. I would like to delve deeper. I wonder if most people usie it as an openener into their decision making, or if they use it merely to confirm their opinions. I suspect more of the latter.

Report this comment

]]> By: Arnaud Bertrand http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/04/26/speakers-caught-my-attention-travolution-summit/#comment-144344 Arnaud Bertrand Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:20:46 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=3816#comment-144344 Concerning what you write about Brian Schaples, I wasn't at the presentation but I guess it depends what he means by "free rental site". If he means something like Craigslist: fully agree. If he means sites with a commission model: fully disagree. I would even argue that HomeAway has a potential for more frauds than sites with a commission model since the payment is handled most often between individuals (not through HomeAway) BEFORE the rental happens (meaning property owners receive money before the guest has received a service or at least been able to confirm that the property he booked even exists). Most often, commission websites handle payments and hosts do only get paid once the guest has seen the property and tacitly confirmed that it wasn't deceiving to him. Concerning what you write about Brian Schaples, I wasn’t at the presentation but I guess it depends what he means by “free rental site”. If he means something like Craigslist: fully agree. If he means sites with a commission model: fully disagree. I would even argue that HomeAway has a potential for more frauds than sites with a commission model since the payment is handled most often between individuals (not through HomeAway) BEFORE the rental happens (meaning property owners receive money before the guest has received a service or at least been able to confirm that the property he booked even exists). Most often, commission websites handle payments and hosts do only get paid once the guest has seen the property and tacitly confirmed that it wasn’t deceiving to him.

Report this comment

]]> By: Pete Meyers http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/04/26/speakers-caught-my-attention-travolution-summit/#comment-144062 Pete Meyers Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:57:27 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=3816#comment-144062 I've noticed a lot of buzz regarding the Frommers presentation and their survey feedback sounds spot on. They've made huge leaps forward in their site functionality over the past year, particularly with their Pluck-powered community launch. But I sure wish they'd redesign their site. They have such a wealth of information and established brand equity, but their UI is running the risk of overwhelming site visitors. I’ve noticed a lot of buzz regarding the Frommers presentation and their survey feedback sounds spot on. They’ve made huge leaps forward in their site functionality over the past year, particularly with their Pluck-powered community launch.

But I sure wish they’d redesign their site. They have such a wealth of information and established brand equity, but their UI is running the risk of overwhelming site visitors.

Report this comment

]]> By: Max Forlani http://www.travel-rants.com/2009/04/26/speakers-caught-my-attention-travolution-summit/#comment-143973 Max Forlani Sun, 26 Apr 2009 09:00:58 +0000 http://www.travel-rants.com/?p=3816#comment-143973 While I do agree with the need for up-to-date information on a travel site, including destination maps and information, I think that having daily weather forecasts on your site is a bit overkill. On the other hand, a weather page explaining the average weather for a certain month can be helpful for preparing your trip and luggage. All in all, I think it's better to focus on your core activity: travel sites focus on travel info, weather site (such as weather.com) focus on the weather. I used to have a small weather.com widget on my site, but since it often didn't work, I decided to remove it. Cheers, Max While I do agree with the need for up-to-date information on a travel site, including destination maps and information, I think that having daily weather forecasts on your site is a bit overkill. On the other hand, a weather page explaining the average weather for a certain month can be helpful for preparing your trip and luggage. All in all, I think it’s better to focus on your core activity: travel sites focus on travel info, weather site (such as weather.com) focus on the weather.

I used to have a small weather.com widget on my site, but since it often didn’t work, I decided to remove it.

Cheers,
Max

Report this comment

]]>