New Live View Augmented Reality Feature Added to TripAdvisor App

TripAdvisor, the world's largest travel site, today announced the launch of its new "Live View" feature for the TripAdvisor App for the iPad 2, iPhone and iPod touch, available now in the App Store. The new augmented reality functionality allows travellers to view TripAdvisor's more than 45 million traveller reviews and opinions of hotels, restaurants and attractions superimposed over what they see through the camera of their mobile device. For instance, if a traveller is standing outside a restaurant, they can simply point their mobile device camera at it and TripAdvisor ratings and reviews of that establishment will automatically be displayed on the screen.

"With the launch of the new Live View feature for the TripAdvisor App, travellers can simply point their iPad 2, iPhone or iPod touch at establishments to easily access TripAdvisor's wealth of trusted reviews and opinions on hotels, restaurants and attractions with augmented reality in real-time while they're out and about in their travel destination" said Mike Putnam, director of mobile product for TripAdvisor.

In addition to Live View, TripAdvisor has added its Virtual Tours feature to its App for the iPhone and iPod touch. The functionality allows travellers to take a virtual walk through their travel destination with TripAdvisor reviews and opinions superimposed over Street View from Google.

The TripAdvisor App also has a wealth of other helpful travel planning features, including:

·         TripAdvisor's more than 45 million reviews and opinions for hotels, restaurants and attractions. Travellers can even add their own reviews while their experiences are fresh.

·         "Near Me Now" functionality, so travellers can determine what hotels, restaurants and attractions are nearby.

·         Unique map-based browsing on the iPad, giving travellers the lay of the land in their travel destination.

·         The ability to find cheap flights using the award-winning TripAdvisor Flights search engine, and compare airline fees using its Fees Estimator.

·         Access to the TripAdvisor forums, where users can ask questions of their fellow travellers and receive helpful feedback.

·         Traveler photos of hotels, restaurants, attractions and destinations.

The TripAdvisor App is available for free from the App Store on the iPad:

http://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/tripadvisor-hotels-flights/id284876795?mt=8

Soaring petrol prices bad news for domestic tourism

As petrol prices continue to rise, a brand new TripAdvisor poll reveals that soaring fuel costs could have a negative impact on UK domestic holidays. Over a third (35%) of British travellers admit that the cost of petrol means they are now more likely to book a holiday abroad.

The survey of over 2,000* British travellers also reveals that 19% are less likely to holiday in Britain this year because driving will be “too expensive”.  A further 29% claim the rising petrol prices won’t affect their domestic holiday plans and 3% say they are now more likely to use the train for domestic travel. These results come just weeks after the government released its new tourism strategy, aimed at growing domestic travel.     

“British drivers are clearly frustrated with the ever-rising cost of petrol,” commented Emma O’Boyle, TripAdvisor spokesperson.  “It makes British road trips less feasible and low-cost flights to other countries more appealing, which is a real shame because the UK has some of the best holiday spots and beaches in Europe.” 

*Survey carried out on 2,113 users on TripAdvisor.co.uk between 25^th March and 30^th March 2011

TripAdvisor Crowned Best Travel App at Appy Awards

TripAdvisor’s mobile app has been voted ‘best travel app’ at the inaugural Carphone Warehouse Appy Awards. More than 30,000 people voted for 50 applications across 10 categories and the awards were hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Bryam in a star-studded ceremony in London last night.

Nathan Clapton, TripAdvisor VP Mobile Partnerships, comments, “We’re thrilled to be crowned best travel app - this is well deserved recognition to the mobile product and engineering teams who have launched 50 enhancements to our app over the last year. TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site with over 45 millions reviews and opinions and our app means travellers can tap into this while they’re on the move.

“We are going to see more and more travellers taking mobile devices -  phones and tablets -  with them on their trips and using them actively as part of their travel experience, so to be voted the best travel app in the Appy Awards is a great honour.”

As well as allowing travellers to search for hotels, restaurants, attractions, and the cheapest airfares, the TripAdvisor mobile app also features the ability to see what’s “near me now” and use TripAdvisor ratings to pick the best of what’s around you. The app also means travellers can send in reviews while they’re on the road while their experiences are still fresh.

The Carphone Warehouse Appys is the UK’s first major app awards ceremony designed to recognise innovation and development in app technology.

For more information please contact:
Emma O’Boyle

Office: +44 203 320 3210

Mobile: +44 777 926 2423

Email: eoboyle@tripadvisor.com