TTD: lastminute hotels bookable by i-mode mobile phones
Lastminute.com is enabling consumers to book hotels via their mobile phones through a partnership with network provider 02.
The new service allows consumers to access a specially adapted version of lastminute.com via 02’s i-mode technology and browse and book up to 80,000 hotels.
Hotels are just the first step and by the end of the year consumers will be able to research and buy a shopping basket of lastminute products including flights and lifestyle items such as theatre tickets.
Since 2000, lastminute.com has had deals with the major mobile phone networks enabling consumers to browse its products and then book by phone.
The mobile internet service currently receives a million page impressions every month, according to head of mobile at lastminute.com Daniel Yates.
Yates said the company plans to expand the new transactional service to the other networks this year.
He said: “The online leisure travel market is set to grow 46% in Europe this year. People are continually looking for more convenient ways to make informed travel purchases. What could be easier than viewing and booking your travel from any street corner in the world?”
Report by Linda Fox
Linda Fox
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026