Teletext unveils next phase of technology
Teletext Holidays has unveiled the next stage in its development – a new website, internet-connected television, revamped Freeview channel 101 and new apps for iPads and smartphones.
As its prepare for a switch off on analogue services on 31 December, the business is investing millions of pounds in creating new ways for people to search for a holiday.
“Millions of people now confess that booking a holiday has become a pain not a pleasure,” said Victoria Sanders, Teletext Holidays managing director.
“People find they are constantly comparing prices, having to enter the same information over and over again in the search box and are never able to save their results. We have created a holiday search site which irons out all these irritations.”
Teletext is claiming an industry first with “cloud” technology, which remembers what people have searched for before and allows them to save their results.
Sanders said: “This is a really smart website. We’ve used one of the best web design agencies in the country to create a site which is easy and inspirational for people to use.
“The last thing people know when they start searching for a holiday is where they want to go, yet nearly all websites require you to fill in travel dates, party size and destination in the search box. We are presenting a much more dynamic and modern approach.
“At the same time the site gives us and our travel partners the flexibility to make instant changes to offers and design, so people are only seeing the best possible choice of holidays and prices.”
The company also claims it will be the first to have a presence on internet-connected television, through Yahoo’s TV internet platform and TV apps.
Anyone who buys a new Samsung television which supports this platform will be able to connect their broadband and access apps, in a similar way to those designed for smartphones.
Sanders said: “Being able to search for a holiday on the television is what has made our brand famous and we see great potential for the future. Our new internet-connected service, alongside a revamped channel on Freeview 101 means we still have a strong television presence and booking a holiday through it will be brighter and better, with video on demand, maps and rich images."
Although internet-connected television is in the early stages of development, consumer use is set to grow over the next two years.
New research from Parks Associates forecasts that the number of European households with a connected TV will grow from 4 million in 2009 to 47 million in 2014.
The company is investing more than five million pounds in a new marketing blitz to consumers in the new year.
The new advertising and communications campaign kicks off on 9 January 2011 and will run on television, newspapers and online.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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