Expedia acquires Mobiata to make it easier for travelers on the go
Expedia announced it is acquiring Mobiata, creator of some best-selling mobile travel applications that include FlightTrack, according to PRNewsire.
"With the pace at which mobile traffic to Expedia sites is exploding, we wanted the right team to help us address the sizable opportunity swiftly and successfully," said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Expedia, Inc. He added:
"There’s simply no better company out there doing mobile travel apps with the same level of design sensibility and utility as Mobiata."
In its first two years since it was founded in 2008, Mobiata has developed a host of best-selling travel apps, including FlightTrack, which has ranked a Top 5 best selling iPhone travel app for 18 months straight; best-selling itinerary manager app TripDeck; and best-selling hotel booking app HotelPal, said the newswire.
"We are thrilled to be joining the biggest and best online travel company while maintaining the creative passion for mobile travel apps that makes Mobiata unique," said Ben Kazez, president and founder of Mobiata.
Mobile traffic currently accounts for approximately four percent of all visitors to Expedia.com®, with mobile bookings up in 2010 nearly five times over the previous year. "Mobile and travel are just made for each other," said Joe Megibow, VP of Global Analytics and Optimization for Expedia®.
"The mobile device is always with us; it’s always on. Getting mobile right for our customers is something we take very seriously."
Mobiata will remain in its headquarters in Ann Arbor, MI.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Expedia, Inc. is the largest online travel company in the world.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps