What else is going on in the world of travel tech? A round-up of other stories from across the industry.
- The HireWinston car service is heading into the world of corporate mobile bookings, unveiling a Blackberry app and claiming a first for car hire in Canada with both on-demand and scheduled services being made available. The app allows users to request sedan service as well as make payments direct from the handset.
- Hogg Robinson Group has acquired the remaining shares in expense management specialist SpendVision. HRG originally purchased a majority stake in the company in 2004.
- Carlson Wagonlit Travel has strengthened its partnership with security and risk management company iJET International. CWT has been offering corporate customers a customised version of iJET's tracking technology outside the core offering for some time but a cost effective baseline iJET solution will now be available to all customers. Additional enhancements such as expanded mobile services, personal security and evacuation cover will be introduced later this year.
- Global Hotel Exchange says its "hard launch" will take place between March 27 and April 10 this year, subject to last-minute testing. The platform (TLabs article here) has been busily signing up hotels from around the world in recent weeks, including Comfitel Group in Russia, Hotel Pennsylvania and Waldorf Astoria in NYC, Gstaad Palace in Switzerland and the Trump International Beach Resport in Miami, as well as others in Portugal and Hungary.
- Prince Hotels and Resorts, the famous chain in Japan, switched to tech representation from Utell this week, the platform powered by Pegasus Solution. The move will see it added to Utell's connections with the likes of corporate travel giants American Express, BCD Travel, Carlson Wagonlit.