New travel search engine prepares for take-off
Travel companies including Fred Olsen Travel and Park Holidays UK have signed up to a holiday search engine due to launch in September.
Called Shoptility, the search engine claims to offer a unique service by introducing shoppers to retailers and enabling direct conversations between them, adding a human touch to the online buying process.
Shoptility says it will revolutionise the online travel industry by making searching and buying online quick, simple and easy by bridging the gap between the face-to-face interaction of the high street and the automated, price-driven world of e-commerce.
Other travel businesses that have signed up include James Villas, loveholidays.com and Great Rail Journeys.
More travel retailer partners are expected to be announced ahead of the launch.
Shoptility founder and chief executive Will Lownsbrough, a technology entrepreneur and businessman, said: "Long gone are the days of sexy sites but no service.
"Retailers need to build better relationships with customers through responsive, personalised online service," he said.
"We’re excited that so many businesses across shopping categories, recognise this and we’re delighted to be working with them to achieve it."
Once the holiday search engine is established, Shoptility plans to expand into other sectors including home and garden and electricals.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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