More Travel Consolidation: Expedia buys Virtual Tourist

TripAdvisor, a unit of Expedia, announced today that it has purchased Virtual Tourist (VT).  There goes the last bastion of independent travel crowdsourcing.  VT was also a pioneer in consumer travel reviews.

At the same time, Expedia announced purchase of One Time, a relatively insignificant travel comparison website.

What this means to you.

We started discussing this industry trend back in March.  Fewer players are offering more apparent but not genuine choices.  This means greater pricing control in the hands of these mega distributors.  So just keep your hat on and realize what is going on.  Know who owns what.  Remember, as we said before, that these companies are practicing directional selling.  And shop, shop, shop.

Here’s a review of what some of the other recent consolidations have included:

Expedia:

• Airfarewatchdog
• TripAdvisor
• SmarterTravel
• Cruise Critic
• SeatGuru
• Hotels.com
• Hotwire
• Holidaywatchdog
• Bookingbuddy
• Travel Library
• Travelpod
• AllLuxuryHotels
• Hoteldiscount
• TravelNow
• VacationSpot

Internet Brands:

• Flyertalk
• Slowtravel
• Cruisemates
• Cruise Reviews
• Vacationhomes
• Vacation Timeshare and Rentals
• Wikitravel
• World66
• Vamoose

Travelport:

• Orbitz
• Wyndam
• Avis
• Budget
• Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Sotheby’s International Realty
• Super 8
• Days Inn
• EBookers
• HotelClub
• CheapTickets
• Asia Hotels
• Ramada
• Rates-to-go
• Baymont Inn & Suites
• Wingate
• Travelodge
• Howard Johnson
• AmeriHost Inn
• Knights Inn

BBC now owns Lonely Planet.

Microsoft owns Farecast.