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Traveling and vacation have been happening long before the Internet. However, with the dawn of the new media age, people may now do more in-depth research about their destination plans, as well as plan their hospitality logistics more efficiently. Platforms and websites such as Google Flights, Airbnb, Couchsurfing, Expedia, and Tripadvisor have revolutionized the way people plan their itineraries and travel the world. The Media has been the best thing and made it easier for travelers to get through a whole country without tour guides. The best part is that even if there is a language barrier you can make your way also with the use of your devices.

There are so many ways in which traveling has been made easier. There are tons of apps that give you many hotel deals where you can easily compare prices and choose what best suits you. Travelling tends to be expensive but when you have social media you get so many different options that it makes things easier. On these apps, people give their feedbacks and reviews based on their experience which eventually helps others with future travel plans.

Transportation

Tashkent

Google Flights

Google Flights logo

Google Flights is a powerful tool offered by Google that facilitates the search for airplane tickets offered by third-party sites. It allows users to input their outbound destination, followed by their inbound destination at the dates of their choosing. The engine is convenient in that it allows users to compare the ticket prices on different flight dates and from different airlines. Google Flights has helped users to optimize their flight search quickly and conveniently and automatically chooses the best pricing options. It is seen as a direct competitor to platforms such as Expedia. [1]

The travel platform has slowly been taking over the flight and travel industry -stealing market share from competing websites like Expedia and Kayak. Statistics show that google flights have been stealing market share and differentiate itself from competitors by optimizing the user experience, strategic Adwords Strategy, and an unwavering commitment to developing their artificial intelligence capabilities [1].

More Affordable Options

With high costs in transportation, especially international travel, many people wish for cheaper options. The emergence of more flight/transportation sites and apps came in recent years to provide alerts on cheap deals available on destinations that you are interested in. Such sites and applications make it easier and more affordable for people to get to their desired locations.

Skyscanner

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Skyscanner [2] is a travel search engine and works as a comparison website. It has direct partnerships with hundreds of airlines, hotels, car rentals, and travel agencies and also vets the companies to ensure that users are getting the best experience. Skyscanner browses through flight listings, finding the best deals, additionally, matching hotels in the place of destination; which even corporations may benefit from, receiving a discount. The apps give you special alerts of potential flights that you would like to take, saving you time and effort from the actual search. Skyscanner makes travel searching much easier and hassle-free, usually, giving you a better price than the official ticket price. It constantly does the hard work for us searching for price drops and deals, finally emailing the customer the proper deal match, once it targeted the best one which the customer himself/herself set to be affordable. Skyscanner doesn't make you pay any fees and the price you see on the website is the same price on the airline's site. Some of its most popular features include the multi-city search, everywhere search, best time to book, price alerts, reviews, and car filters. Skyscanner also has a mobile application that allows users to book flights straight from their cell phones.

Matrix ITA Software

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Matrix ITA software is a search engine that allows you to search for almost all airline tickets available on your search. Matrix was created by MIT scientists back in 1996 and was later acquired by Google in 2010. Many other flight search engines use Matrix technology, such as Google Flights, Kayak, Orbitz, and StudentUniverse. However, the Matrix search engine remains unique because it allows the user to be very specific in their search. There is a list of codes that you can use for tricks like fuel dumping, which may drop the price of a ticket significantly. Other features include: Cost Per Mile, Geo Search, Interactive Calendar, Real-Time Filter and Color-Coded Time Bars.[3] One of the major setbacks of this powerful search engine is that you cannot purchase a ticket directly from the site. You can either take the flight information the Matrix software provides, and bring it to a travel agent for booking, or, there are software extensions made by third-party developers that search your results in real-time, and provide a link to a website where you can book the ticket.

Expedia

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Expedia[4] is an online travel agency that started within as a small division within Microsoft that launched in 1996. Bill Gates made it a public company in 2001, and they currently host a variety of hotel listings and airline plane tickets. Expedia offers package deals, which allow for individuals to book their flights, hotel accommodation, and vehicle rental together. The travel agency has a rewards system that may be used towards future hotel stays and airfares, which users may choose to use when they accumulate enough credit. It is a publicly-traded company, under the ticker symbol EXPE[5] and is selling for 101.32 a share, as of Nov 11th, 2019.

Priceline

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Priceline is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader of online travel & related services. It was founded in 1997 with its headquarters stationed in Norwalk, CT. The site is a leader in online travel deals providing travelers with deals on airline tickets, hotel rooms, cruises, rental cars, and vacation packages. Consumers can find accommodations with the Best Price Guarantee as well as pay-at-arrival and free cancellations. They offer deals with 600,000 properties of all types and discounts of up to 60% on published car, hotel, and flight prices with their Express Deals services. Other travel services that are under Booking Holdings along with Priceline include Kayak, Agoda, Rentalcars.com and Open Table.[6]


KAYAK

Kayak logo

KAYAK [7] was founded in the United States in 2004 and was acquired by Priceline in 2013. Although originally in the U.S., its growth and popularity allowed the platform to go international, making it one of the most popular travel websites on the Internet. The main feature of KAYAK is to aggregate fares, which will allow you to find the cheapest airfare possible. It also provides advice to the consumer on whether to buy the ticket now or wait, based on historical data. Although originally for finding deals on flights, KAYAK has expanded to include the ability to book hotels, cars, rentals, cruises, or even travel packages. [8]

AirHelp

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AirHelp is a company that provides legal services to airline passengers who have experienced a flight cancellation, delay, or overbooking any problems with airlines traveling in or out of the European Union. AirHelp was founded in 2013, The founders of the company are Nicolas Michelsen, Greg Roodt, Henrik Zillmer. The headquarters in the United State of America, London, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, New York City, NY, Gdansk, Poland The type of business is a privately held company and areas served in the EU, and the USA. The app is available on Android and IOS. Also, it’s available in 23 languages. [9]


CheapOair

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CheapOair [10] is a travel agency that offers discounted flight deals, hotel rates, car rentals, and vacation packages. CheapOair was founded in 2005 and is based in New York with additional locations in Canada and London. It operates as a subsidiary of Fareportal. CheapOair offers a price match promise, discounted fares updated daily, 24/7 customer care, easy booking, anywhere access, and safe shopping guarantee.

StudentUniverse

Student Universe logo

Student Universe [11] is a travel booking site targeted towards students and young adults under 26. The site encourages young travelers to experience the world with discount travel. It offers cheap student flights, hotels, tours, and activities for users of the site. The company launched its website in 2000 and was acquired in 2015 by Flight Centre Travel Group 2015. Their headquarters are located right outside of Boston in Waltham, MA while also having offices in the Philippines and London. Student Universe has partnered with more than 90 airlines, which include British Airways, Air China, and United Airlines to provide exclusive student flight discounts. They also have promo codes that are sent to a user inbox to provide even more discounted deals on a travelers' flight. Student Universe also offers free membership to provide its customers with exclusive discounts, offer 24/7 customer care, and hidden deals.

Hopper

Hopper Logo

Hopper [12] is a mobile application that tracks flights and predicts prices to help users find the cheapest possible airfare. Hopper was founded in 2007 and is based in Canada. This application allows users to input where they want to go and it gives you a price breakdown by date. You can either choose to watch the flight or book now. If you choose to watch a flight, Hopper alerts you when the price is going to drop and lets you know the best time to book before prices go up. If you choose to book now, there's a feature called QuickTap booking, which allows users to book without leaving the app.



CheapTickets

CheapTickets is an online travel services company offering airline tickets, hotel and vacation rentals, rental cars, cruises, and allow customers customized vacation packages. CheapTickets was founded in 1986 in Honolulu, Hawaii by Michael and Sandra Hartley. CheapTickets was owned subsidiary of Orbitz Worldwide, Inc., and with Expedia Inc.'s purchase of Orbitz, it is now a subsidiary of Expedia Group. Even though CheapTickets belong to the Expedia Group, if you compare prices CheapTickets tend to be lower than the Expedia website. [13]

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Hospitality

Airbnb

The official logo of Airbnb

Airbnb [14] is an online hospitality hosting site, which allows users to post listings of their own homes to be rented out for a short period. It allows travelers to have the option of lodging in a house, rather than in a traditional hotel setting. Users may browse through listings in several different cities and locations, filtering for options such as the number of beds, bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry amenities to best fit their needs. A rating system is provided by Airbnb to allow hosts and guests to rate the quality of their stay, and for other hosts and guests to make better decisions about their choices and acceptance in the future. When making a reservation, users are typically asked to submit a profile photo to verify their reservation to ensure security for the guest and host.


Air BnB is such an easy app you can utilize to search for houses, or apartments almost anywhere in the world for a certain amount of time. This is great but it also has had some issues. Privacy and safety have been a big issue on the app that has given more users more of a feeling of uncertainty when thinking about renting a stranger's place for a few days. Because the listings are posted by the hosts/owners themselves, you never know if they will break in while you are vacating the place. The host obviously has a key which makes users question if it's safe to use the app for vacation stays or another reason. There's been quite a number of murders that have occurred in Air BnB's. NBC News reported about a man convicted of killing a Florida woman at a Costa Rica air BnB. Along with this story, there have been many more that are similar and were caused because of the privacy issues with air BnB that have yet to be enforced. It's up to the user if they want to risk being put in danger in somebody else's home. Air BnB is not as safe as anyone may think.

[15]

Couchsurfing

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Couchsurfing is the practice of staying temporarily in a series of other people's homes, typically making use of improvised sleeping arrangements. Couchsurfing is another form of budget traveling, as most travelers are being hosted for free or in exchange for labor. A popular website allowing users to search for their arrangements is www.couchsurfing.com [16] Couchsurfers organize regular events in 200,000 cities around the world. Travelers who prefer this method of arrangement typically look forward to meeting and living with locals, learning about their way of life. They can experience a more "authentic" experience in the area, in contrast to living in hotels. Couchsurfing is not only a homestay but also social networking service accessible via a website and mobile app. Guests and travelers communicate with each other and leave references and comments on each other's profile in order to share their experiences with the community. Hosts are not allowed to charge for lodging. It is based on the idea that people are generally kind.

Booking

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Booking is another online hospitality site just like Airbnb that allows users/travelers to search for places to stay while traveling. Booking offers a variety of hospitality options, such as shared rooms, shared apartments, entire apartments, luxury hotels, and even traditional local homes. Some argue that booking offers more affordable vacation housing and that it is more budget-friendly for travelers. One thing to note about booking is that, as opposed to Airbnb, Booking does not offer additional security features such as uploading photo ID or submitting passport information.

Hostels

Hostels are a low-budget accommodation shared among travelers. When a guest books a stay in a hostel, he or she typically book a bed for the night, not a room. The guest’s bed may be in a room with four other travelers or a room with up to twenty travelers. Hostels allow travelers to meet from all around the world, and a traveler may be drawn to the stay because each hostel is unique. Most hostels include free breakfast in the morning, and/or equipped with a fully functional kitchen for people who prefer home-cooked meals.

However, hostels have potential drawbacks that are not suitable for the needs of some travelers. For example, there is less privacy in dormitory-style bedrooms and communal bathrooms. Some hostels enforce a curfew that may not be convenient for travelers that like to venture out late. Because of its low cost, there are also fewer amenities available for people during their stay, as well as a smaller staff that may not offer the option of 24-hour check-ins or front desk service. The risk of theft is also higher compared to hotels due to the communal nature of the establishments. [17]

Hostelworld

HostelWorld's logo, as displayed on their website

A popular site that allows people to search for hostels around the world is HostelWorld. They have listings of over 33,000 properties in 170 countries, and over 8 million verified guest reviews as well as 24/7 customer service. [18]

Hostelworld Group is the world's leading hostel online booking platform and is headquartered in Dublin, with offices around the world. It was recently recognized as a Best Workplace for 2017 by the Great Place to Work Institute. It connects young travelers all around the world also through its supporting brands Hostelbookers and Hostels.com. Its global hostel database includes over 13,000 hostels and approximately 22,000 other forms of budget accommodation.

HomeAway

HomeAway's logo, as displayed on their website

HomeAway [19] functions similarly to Airbnb, in the sense of being an online website providing countless options of hospitality to groups and individuals traveling without the desire to stay at a hotel. Whether you are looking for a simple, cheap alternative or a luxurious, romantic getaway, HomeAway has it all. It is simply up to the user to choose the location, the specifics desired for the home, and the length of stay. Prices can range from under $60 a day, to hundreds of thousands per week. Modern-day, this website functions as the most popular for its cause. Coming into 2017, there were over 1,000,000 listings, in 190 countries [20].


Trivago

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Trivago [21] is an app that searches over 200 worldwide websites used for booking and it compares millions of hotel prices helping customers find the cheapest and best hotels for vacations.[22] This website just like many others will help customers who have a certain budget for hotels to find what is the most affordable yet still has good reviews and is a decent hotel to stay at. This social media app helps people save time and money by comparing many websites together at once rather than someone having to go through more than 10 individual booking sites and comparing prices and reviews themselves. The best part of this is the reviews are done by actual people who stayed at the hotel also through the app which makes it more accurate and we know it's not a fake review. Trivago has partnered with over 150 Online Travel Agencies to help customers with bookings and they not only book everything but also they will display accurate information about the hotels so this way hotels have to have the best customer service to bring in more customers.[23] This is something that many college students can benefit from because they can save money while vacationing at great hotels at great prices and don't need to worry about last-minute booking as Trivago makes that easy for you.

Hilton Hotel & Resorts

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The Hilton Hotel and Resorts pride themselves as the prominent global hospitality company where most people consider their first choice when booking a hotel. The Hilton Hotel was founded by Conrad Hilton. He purchased his first hotel in 1919 in Dallas, Texas. Ever since he has been at the forefront of being the first to open many hotels and include technological amenities such as television in rooms. Also, the first to have a coast-to-coast hotel chain between New York and California. The Hilton Hotel & Resorts is located in 93 countries and territories, with a global scale of 4,200 hotels. The Hilton brand is broken down to Waldorf Astoria, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy, Curio, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Garden Inn, Hampton, Homewood Suites, and Home2 Suites. All these branches are equipped to fit any type of vacation a consumer may need which can be catered to business, vacation, comfortable environment, and more. The Hilton Hotel carries luxurious leisure which inspired the addition of more hotels in the hospitality industry.

Marriott

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Marriott was founded by J. Willard Marriott who began the business with a nine-stool root beer stand, A&W Root Beer, that grew into a restaurant chain by the name of Hot Shoppes, and later one of the largest recognized hotel brands in the world. Throughout Mr. Marriott's leadership, Mr. Marriott always held on to his belief that taking care of his associates is the secret to success and till today, that is the core value behind the company. J. Willard Marriott and his son, JW Marriott Jr. who later took over management of Marriott's first hotel shifted the company's business model in the late 1970s. Together they broadened their position in the hospitality industry and boosted their growth allowing them to acquire Starwood Hotels & Resorts in 2016 making them the world's largest hotel company with more than 5,700 properties. They have more than 30 brands in their portfolio ranging from resorts, limited service, to luxury ranging from recognizable brands like The Ritz-Carlton, EDITION, Autograph Collection, AC Hotels, W Hotels, Fairfield Inn, Residence Inn, Courtyard, and St. Regis. Marriott continues to lead as the largest hotel company by rolling out pilot programs in home rentals in parts of Europe and launching all-inclusive resorts in parts of Mexico.

HomeExchange

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HomeExchange is the world leader in home exchange vacations. It is an online website that lets you swap houses with other travelers. You won’t spend a euro on accommodation, and in the meanwhile will get someone to feed your cat and water your roses while you’re off for traveling. You need to communicate with the swapper and make sure to get complete references in advance. Based on the fundamentals of trust, authenticity, and free hospitality, home exchange was founded by Emmanuel Arnaud and Charles-Edouard Girard, both avid exchangers themselves, who decided it was the right moment to offer a viable alternative to traditional commercial accommodation.

[24]

Hipcamp

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Hipcamp is an online marketplace company that offers outdoor stays, including tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping. Hipcamp: "We cover all National, State, Regional and Army Corps Parks in all 50 States. Which comes out to 13,876 Parks, 26,821 Campgrounds and 430,586 Campsites across the USA." Users can book their stay via the website or mobile app. Hipcamp provides a direct connection to hosts. The company does not have rules regarding the customers' visit, and hosts are the ones who set their own rules, pricing, and offerings. To become a host in Hipcamp, as easy as just a click "Start Hosting," only provide a description, pictures of the space you are renting out. Hosts keep 90% of earnings from bookings, and Hipcamp uses 10% to support the website. [25] [26] [27]

Trip Planning

VisitACity

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Visit A City is a website and application that allows users to plan vacations through a pre-filled itinerary based on city, travel time, and type of vacation; leisure to packed. Visit A City offers itineraries and guides that can be customized based on the user's vacation itineraries. The itineraries help find things to do, places to see, and where to dine. There are over 2000 destinations, 40,000 sights, attractions, events, and activities as well as over 1500 travel guides. Visit A City can be seen as a new media for travel agencies as users can use recommended itineraries through the site. [28]

TripAdvisor

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Trip Advisor is the world's largest travel website, which allows users to "unleash the potential of every trip." Trip Advisor has over 500 million reviews and opinions that cover over 7 million accommodations, restaurants, and attractions [29]. Trip Advisor also has travel planning features that check more than 200 websites to help travelers find and book the lowest priced hotels.

Trip Advisor allows users to look up attractions in areas they are visiting and read reviews from other users who have previously visited this attraction. This provides users with valuable insight on attractions ranging from certain roads being closed during winter months, the summit only being accessible by hiking 2 miles, or if there is a certain weekend one should avoid visiting on. All of this information can be used to make the trip more enjoyable and to ensure the best attractions aren't missed.

Attractions of America

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Attractions of America provides users with a list of the top 10 attractions in each state. Its mission is to provide users with these 10 top attractions in each state so they don't have to spend time looking through multiple websites to determine the best attractions each state has to offer.

This way they can find unique and beautiful places easily to explore. These attractions vary from historic sites, national landmarks, popular destinations, unique exhibits, and must-see attractions as well [30].

This is great and convenient as other users are doing the work for you; they are finding the most popular destinations in each state and listing it here on this website, which saves users time that they can now use to explore the attractions with!


Smart Destination

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Go, City Card is a division of Smart Destination, it is a multi-attraction pass. This website allows for a more enjoyable and achievable vacation. Going to a new place can be exciting, adventurous, and even sometimes a bit stressful especially when you are in unfamiliar surroundings. The purpose of this site is to offer a hassle-free travel destination itinerary before you even set foot in your car or the plane.

This site allows you to pick from a handful of destinations both international and domestic such as Boston, New York, London, Dubai, and even Sydney to name a few. It allows you to travel to any of the destinations offered by the site and being able to properly explore the sites, take in the scenery, and allows the traveler to engage in the rich culture and history that their destination offers.

Another interesting feature of Smart Destination is their travel blog. Their bloggers offer impending visitors itinerary ideas and budgeting ideas for their trips. Some of these ideas are; experiencing all the wonders of a destination in a day under a specific budget or ten things to do in a destination during a specific or random time of the year.

The website narrows down several popular sites and allows you to pick one or place them in a bundle and save even more. The site offers three categories of sightseeing selection which are the All-Inclusive Pass, which allows you to see all the sites and save up to 55% as opposed to the price you pay at the gate. The Explorer Pass, which allows you to visit 2,3,4, or 5 sites and save as much as 40% compared to gate prices. Finally, the Build Your Pass which allows the user to select what sites they want to see and save as much as 20% off. These passes are offered from 1 up to 5 days, so you can take your time and take in the sites. The more tickets you buy the more you save. Another feature of this website is that when you sign up for the newsletters or the first time using the site you get a complimentary discount which may vary from time to time.

One of the most prominent features of this website is that you can use the Go City Card app and download your tickets. So, in addition to having to save money on your tickets, you also can save time. Upon arrival at your destination, you open the app and the attendant scans your ticket on your phone. Finally, it offers a full risk-free guarantee for unused tickets for up to a year.

[31] [32]

Google Trips

Google Trips logo

Google introduced the Google Trips application in 2016, which serves as a trip planner and travel guide. Google Trips was created to help travelers decide what to do once us they have booked their travel. Google Trips allows you to sync to your Gmail account to consolidate all upcoming and past travel plans. Once a trip is created, the application offers various options to plan or review. It recognizes what location you are traveling to and provides complete guides for more than 200 major cities. Some of its main features include Reservations, Things to Do, Saved Places, Day Plans, Food & Drink, and Getting Around.

"Reservations" will show you flight, hotel, and car rental information that it collects from the Gmail account you link your account with. "Things to Do" recommends specific places that are popular in the city you are traveling to and if you see something you like, you can add it to "Saved Places." If users would like to make an itinerary, they would use "Day Plans" which offers themes itineraries with every location mapped out. "Food & Drink" provides a basic overview of the area's specialties and will recommend places based on categories. "Getting Around" has all the transportation information from airport options to public transportation to make commuting much easier.

TripIt

TripIt logo

TripIt [33] is an open platform that integrates and organizes travel information from various sources so that users can have everything in one place. Reservations can be automatically sent to TripIt to consolidate travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel or Airbnb confirmations, car rentals, etc. Once a user creates an account, they can forward all travel plans to plans@tripit.com and TripIt assembles all the plans into one trip itinerary. This application also makes it simple to share trip plans with others who may be traveling with them.

The TripIt app is free, but it also offers a TripIt Pro account for $49/year. This Pro account offers additional features such as seat tracker, fare tracker, check-in reminder, point tracker, and international travel tools. TripIt Pro will send out reminders when to leave, tell you how long it will take, and will show alternative options if plans change.

Google Translate

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Google Translate [34] is Google's free service that instantly translates words, phrases, and web pages between English and over 100 other languages. Google is easy to use and is available on a desktop but also as an app. Google Translate allows people to communicate with each other no matter the language barriers. Google Translate can translate text and media, including text, speech, images, sites, or real-time video, from one language to another language.

Yelp

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Yelp [35] was launched in 2004 as a means to help people find the best service around them. The founder, Russel Simmons and Jeremy Stoppelman were former PayPal employees before starting Yelp, which is now headquartered in San Francisco, California. Between the time of 2009 to 2012, Yelp was a private company. Yelp filed for an initial public offering in early 2012 with the SEC.

Mainly used by American users, Yelp is a crowd-sourced local business review and social networking site. Yelp has started expanding its global reach in recent years, allowing for a wider audience and user base. They first started by introducing the site to the United Kingdom and Canada. Recently, they have been trying to reach other overseas audiences such as Asia. That being said, the highest amount of activity within Yelp can still be found in America.

To date, Yelp is both a website and a mobile application. What's more, the application has multiple features. One of their most known features is their review and rating system. Businesses and customers can list the business on Yelp for free. When customers visit or experience service from the business, they can leave a review and include a rating. The rating is based on a five-star point system. Yelp reviews can have a big impact on businesses since many people will often search the Internet for reviews of different places, attractions, services, and restaurants. Some people may be less keen to go to a business or place with lower ratings. Additionally, in more recent years, some people have called out some businesses for unethical behavior by owners or workers, an act Yelp has taken a crack on.

Once the business is listed on Yelp, they can include other various useful information. Information such as the contact details, hours of operations, reservations, special promotions, etc. can be included on the Yelp page. Furthermore, users and business owners can also add pictures to show potential visitors a glimpse of their products. Another important feature that is worth mentioning is their search engine. By typing in a keyword like "restaurant," Yelp can show users the nearest and the best-rated restaurants around them. The search can be even more customizable by inputting the specific food you are looking for. Yelp is not limited to the food industry but instead covers a scope of businesses such as dentists, hairstylists, etc. Overall, Yelp provides businesses with an efficient form of marketing and provides users an effective way to search for things around them.



Reddit

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Though Reddit isn’t a direct booking website, the Reddit community is great for learning and building knowledge for traveling around. There are many subreddits dedicated to traveling cheap, traveling solo, finding travel partners, and any subject you can think of.

There are thousands of different communities, with people willing to help each other in finding the best deals and having amazing experiences. There is no website like Reddit and it’s worth checking out. [36]

Flights

Online Check In

People typically start showing up at the airport about 2-3 hours before their flight, to ensure that they give themselves enough time to check-in, drop off their luggage, and get past security. Airlines have been working to automate everything to help travelers save time at the airport. About every major airline offers online check-in for your flight typically up to 24 hours before departure. Instead of waiting in line to check-in at the airport, travelers can check-in for their flight from the comfort of their own home, office, or hotel. Most airlines also have their mobile application that makes it more convenient to check-in through their phones.

Travelers will need to provide their full name and booking confirmation number. Sometimes they could also check-in using their frequent flier or credit card number. While each airline's online check-in process is different, they usually offer similar features to choose a seat, pay fees for checked bags, or upgrade their seats. Once travelers have completed the check-in process, they have the option to print their boarding pass, have it emailed to them, or access it through a mobile app.

Automated Passport Control

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Automated Passport Control (APC) is a US Customs and Border Protection program that expedites the entry process for US citizens, Canadians, and certain visa holders. Instead of filling out a physical Customs declaration form and waiting online, eligible passengers can go to an APC kiosk. Passengers must scan their passports, have their photo taken, and answer a series of questions to verify their identity and flight information. Once they have completed the process, a receipt will be issued and they can proceed to a customs officers to finalize their inspection. It helps travelers save time, especially for families as these kiosks allow people residing at the same address to be processed together. [37]

Mobile Passport

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The Mobile Passport Application allows travelers to skip the line and paperwork at customs. Once the application is downloaded, users will need to complete a profile by providing their name, passport number, country of the citizen, and date of birth. It will then ask for a picture, which could easily be done with a quick selfie and will then ask a series of questions about the flight information and about any goods or cash to declare. Once completed, it provides a QC code to present at immigration and this application allows users to proceed to the Mobile Passport Control line, which typically has a much shorter line than regular passengers or even Global Entry people.

Not many people know about this application yet, but one caveat for using Mobile Passport is that it applies only to US and Canadian citizens and is so far accepted only at 24 international airports.

Traveling Around

Public Transportation

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Besides where to stay, traveling around is one of the most important things to consider when traveling. In the past few years, many platforms have developed ways to help people getting around and this facilitating the passenger service experience. Despite the numerous car sharing apps out there, some people still prefer to enjoy "traveling like a local experience" and take public transportation as if they belonged to each country they visit. In most cases, people research online on how they can get places without the costly expenses of a private taxi car driving them around everywhere. This option is suitable for low-budget travelers who like to save transportation costs for other traveling expenses. However, not all destination count with good/reliable public transportation. This is why it is important to always print a map of the public transportation system, know the schedules and distances to see if they are suitable for the activities one has planned.

Mobile Parking

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Mobile Parking is very convenient for drivers traveling around. For example, "ParkNYC" when people road trip to New York City people doesn't have to worry about not having the chance to pay for the parking, or getting a ticket for overstaying time. Pay quickly and easily by phone. Know when your parking is about to expire and extend time remotely. Pay for parking from the car, sidewalk, or anywhere – no receipt on the dash needed. ParkNYC is available wherever there is metered parking in New York City. Be sure to look for the ParkNYC zone numbers on Muni-Meter decals and signs at the end of each block. Many other cities have similar software that makes roadside parking easier. When coronavirus erupts, we need to keep a social distance. If everyone pays the parking fee, many people will come into contact with the parking machine, and the virus may remain on the surface for a while and cause a large-scale infection. The mobile app dramatically reduces this risk, allowing people to pay for fees without touching the parking machine. It makes life much easier and safer.[38]

Transit

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Transit is a real-time public transportation software. Available in 175 cities. First released in 2012, there are two versions of IOS and android. Transit provides real-time information on buses, subways, and trains, as well as traffic conditions. Transit was developed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Sam Vermette and Guillaume Campagna. Transit is in competition with other transit map services such as Moovit and CityMapper, as well as general mapping services that also provide transit data such as Google Maps, Bing Maps, and Apple Maps. Anyone who lives in metropolitan areas knows the importance of transportation. How to quickly and effectively find the route to work or school is particularly important, time is precious. Transit app will automatically search for public transportation around you as you walk out the door open the app. how long will arrive, how far it is, a map will show you all the buses and subway information. Transit greatly improved the efficiency of going to work. Transit allows people to control time more effectively reasonably. Transit is also compatible with car-sharing and ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Lyft, and Ola, along with multiple bike-share systems. In 2018, Transit expanded to include scooter-sharing systems in four American cities. Transit does not only help you commute to work and school, but it also improves your speed to arrive at a party. That's why Transit is very popular in metropolitan areas.[39]

Rent Car services

Some people prefer to travel around at their own pace while also protecting their privacy of space. In a lot of cases, travelers prefer to get around on their own, without risking themselves by taking public transportation in a different country or without paying for passenger service. However, renting a car can be costly, which is why it is important to analyze how far or close away are the places to be visited, what are the average costs involved with public transportation and taxi cabs, what is the cost for gas in the country to be visited, are there any toll and/or insurance fees involved, etc.

Uber

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Uber [40] is the leading mobile application that provides its users the cheapest and easiest way to get around. Uber is essentially an on-demand taxi service. Foreign transportation systems can often frustrate and stress travelers around the world. However, Uber can eliminate that worry as it is active in over 633 cities across the globe. Users can acquire the application for free within the App Store or Google Play Store. Furthermore, the service is easy to use as all one has to do is set a pickup and drop off location. During the ride, users are encouraged to communicate with the drivers. In doing so, drivers can recommend or advise travelers about their travel destinations. Thus, Uber has not only created a transportation service but it also initiated a new wave of communication. Once the ride is over, the user will then rate the ride and pay the uber driver a predetermined fee. This fee is paid electronically by credit card or Paypal. What's more, Uber is accessible 24/7 as long as there are drivers out there to provide the ride.

Uber has many different options for how you can take your ride. There are economy options which are Uber Pool and Uber X. The premium options are Uber Black and Uber SUV. There is also Uber XL. Uber also has cars equipped with car seats to better accommodate children. There is another rider option that provides wheelchair-accessible rides as well.

UberPool allows you to pay less by riding with someone if you’re going in the same direction. Riders can also save money by walking a few blocks (at most) to meet their drivers.

Uber X allows riders to get to their destination without any other people joining your ride at an affordable cost.

Uber Black and Uber SUV let users ride in premium luxury cars and SUVs.

Uber XL provides affordable rides for up to 6 people.

Lyft

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Lyft [41] is a mobile application that provides on-the-go taxi services. Users can download Lyft using either the App Store or Google Play Store. This transportation service is mainly present in US markets. It has situated itself in over 300 U.S. cities and has started expanding to Canada back in December 2017. Lyft originally got started back in 2012 in San Francisco, California. It established that riders must download the app to use its services. Once downloaded, it would require a phone number and a valid form of payment. Payment methods include credit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay, etc. After the basic setup is done, users can start requesting rides by dictating https://www.forbes.com/sites/janetwburns/2019/11/18/so-long-juno-gett-shuts-down-nyc-app-partners-with-lyft-and-asks-drivers-to-follow/#23f678255e2athe app regarding their whereabouts and their desired destination. Lastly, after the ride is completed the rider has an option to leave a tip and a rating. Further customization of the rider's profile can be done as well. Over the years, Lyft has valued the idea of safety and bringing their customers to their destination in a sound way.

Juno

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Juno is a transportation network company operating in the United States. It is owned by Gett. It operates mobile apps on the Android and iOS operating systems. Compared to its competitors, Juno takes a smaller commission from every ride, as part of a strategy to attract and retain happier drivers.[1][2] Juno initially had an equity structure that planned to give drivers fifty percent of the founder's equity by 2026, but this program was discontinued in 2017 when Juno was acquired by Gett which was later sold to Lyft in 2019 after touch regulation on the ride-hailing industry. [42] [43] [44]

Gett

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Gett, previously known as gett Taxi, is an Israeli on-demand mobility company that connects customers with transportation, goods, and services. Customers can order a taxi or courier either through the company's website or by using the company's GPS-based smartphone app. The app was first developed and popularized by Israeli company GetTaxi. The app is compatible with iPhone and Android platforms. Gett currently operates in more than 120 cities across Israel, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

[45] [46]

Google Maps

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Google Maps [47] [48] is available both online and offline. Ultimately, it is a web mapping service that was acquired by Google in 2004 and from then on it became known as "Google Maps." Google maps can be accessed either in the form of a webpage or as a mobile application. Overall, Google Maps provides many mapping services such as satellite imagery, street maps, street view, Google Traffic, and routing planning. What's more, individuals can customize their trips on Google Maps. Through route planning, one can get directions from one place to another and dictate if they are traveling by car, foot, public transportation, or bicycle. Route planning is not limited to one destination. Instead, one can set multiple destinations and put them in chronological order. Furthermore, one can even set the departure time as well as the desired arrival time. This can all be done as long as there is a connection to the internet.

On the other hand, Google Maps can be accessed offline as well. Although, the services offered offline are much less than those offered online. The main focus of Google Maps offline is to provide routes, navigation, and searching capabilities. To access Google Maps offline, one would simply use it as if they were normally using Google Maps except without a connection to the Internet. To obtain a more detailed route planning and navigation offline, one can also download an offline map. To do this, one must be connected to the Internet first to search for the destination. Then, they would select to "download the offline map." By doing this, they can use this map wherever and whenever without the need for a connection.

Waze

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Waze is a navigation app (like Google Maps) that is available for phones, tablets, etc. Just like an app like Google Maps, Waze will show you multiple routes to get from point A to point B. What sets Waze apart, and caused its meteoric rise, was how integrated the app is with the driving experience. Not only will the app give you directions, but it will also alert you of things like accidents, speed limit changes, cars stopped on the road, police nearby, construction, heavy traffic, near restaurants/stores, etc. The way Waze does this is by having the information be updated by the "Wazers" themselves. When people driving using Waze see something (like police, accidents, etc), they report it to Waze and that information becomes available to every Waze user [49]. Using Waze, many people have also been able to save people both time and money. Because it detects speed changes and police, it reduces the need for individuals to buy radar detectors for their cars (which are very expensive). Also, because Waze automatically gives you the fastest route, and automatically changes the route to the fastest time if anything occurs like accidents on the road, drivers don't have to worry about being time efficient on the road [50].

Traveling Tools

PackPoint

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PackPoint is a mobile application that helps travelers create a custom packing list based on trip details. After providing the destination, travel dates, length of stay, and type of travel (leisure or business), a custom packing list is created. PackPoint even checks the weather forecast and allows users to modify the lists by adjusting the number of items or add and hide items. Users can check off items from the list as they pack and no longer need to worry about forgetting important travel essentials.

The application is free to download and allows users to share their list with people they are traveling with or on social media. The premium version costs $2.99 and offers additional features such as letting users add custom activities. It also allows integration with TripIt and Evernote.

International Phone Plans

When you are going abroad, your home carrier will usually have an international phone plan available to you if you choose to use it. International phone plans mean that you are using your regular phone plan at an additional charge. This means you can call, text, and use data. Verizon offers this for an additional $10 a day but the data is usually 1x or 2G at best. It is highly recommended that you rent a pocket wifi or purchase a SIM Card at your destination as the signals are more prominent. [51]

SIM Cards

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SIM Cards allow you to use your phone overseas as if it was your regular phone, except with a different phone number. First, you have to make sure your phone is unlocked because if it isn't it will not be compatible with the SIM Card. You can purchase SIMCards in the airports (vending machines, stores, or stalls), in any electronic or convenience store, and/or in street markets depending on where you go. There are many different types of SIM Cards that you can purchase. You can purchase reloadable ones depending on how much data you use, unlimited data up to a certain amount of GB per day, or "X" amount of GB per day. You can also purchase SIM Cards ahead of time so that the company can ship you your SIM Card before you travel. This allows you to have service right when you land instead of having to wait to go through immigration and customs and then purchase your SIM Card. SIM Cards are individual which means everyone in your group/party has to purchase one if they want data/talk/text capabilities. [52]

International Calling cards

After buying a sim card from the country you are visiting, you will realize that you won't be able to make calls to your native country at a cheap rate. this is where international call card comes in, they help you make those calls at a very cheap rate. cards like Boss Revolution, Rebtel, Kepp Calling, etc. will make calling loved ones cheaper and convenient. [53]


Pocket Wifi's

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Pocket Wifi is a small device that is essentially a hotspot for your phone or any electronic device that you use to use/connect it to. Pocket wifi's are small and transportable. Like in the name, pocket Wifi's are only used for data/wifi purposes but thankfully we have applications like iMessage, WeChat, Instagram, Facebook Messenger, etc, where we can voice chat, video chat, and message others. Like SIM Cards, there is also a bunch of different Pocket Wifi that you can rent. You can choose unlimited premium which is the most expensive but probably the most practical, "X" amount of GB up to a certain extent per day, or unlimited data with slower connection after you use the "X" amount. Pocket Wifi companies are very flexible and convenient. They will have your pocket wifi ready for you within 1-2 days of you reserving it so no worries if your trip is last minute. Pocket Wifi companies either ship it to the airport so you can collect it once you land or they can ship it to your living accommodation whether it be a hotel or Airbnb. Pocket Wifi is also cost-effective because everyone in your party/group can connect to it. [54]


Voice Translator Devices

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Voice Translator devices are devices that help you translate your native tongue or any language to a language of your choice and vice versa. This allows you to ask locals for directions if you get lost or recommendations. All you have to do is speak into the device and it will translate. You can rent a voice translator device, usually offered as a package deal with the pocket wifi or you can purchase an application on your phone which performs similarly. [55]


Social media insights on the future for the Tourism

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Due to the COVID-19, the global tourism industry has been greatly affected, but some companies related to the tourism industry use different social media to speculate on the tourism industry and travel insights.

The COVID-19 outbreak has brought unexpected effects to most companies around the world, especially the hotel industry, which has been hit hardest. From airlines to Airbnb, any brand involved in travel is affected by strict restrictions that limit the spread of the coronavirus. After several months of #flattenthecurve work, the temperature rise and the discussion about lifting the travel ban have made people feel optimistic about vacationing again. However, not everyone is excited to return to the plane and rush to the crowded city as soon as possible, and service providers around travel will have to meet new expectations to keep their customers moving forward.

During the Covid-19 period, relevant business owners want to use various social media to understand what kind of travel do they want to choose when the world opens up? question#[56]

1.What is first on bucket lists for travel as the country reawakens?

2.What types of vacations are people looking for, and what will they avoid?

3.How are consumers reacting to messaging regarding hospitality cleanliness and travel safety?

4.News fatigue is starting to hit hard and people may be limiting what they view just as the travel industry starts to reopen - how can a travel or hotel brand stand out and not sound like more noise?

After the question, the answer will be around Destinations, Transportation, and Accommodation to have a future prediction.(All answers are obtained from the online inquiry survey of new media)

#Destinations Online mentions indicate that people take social distancing into consideration when planning where to go, and in recent weeks people have paid more attention to outdoor vacations. Journey trips, mountain climbing, and "stays" are causing heated discussions, as people figure out ways to take vacations while still in self-isolation. People are planning to travel to give other people space, such as going to beaches and islands or camping.

#Transportation Although people have new concerns about any travel plans this year, the overall online sentiment shows that people generally still have a positive attitude towards being able to travel again. They are willing to travel and plan holidays as long as they can do so safely. "Airplane" and "car" are the main ways people are discussing, but people are worried about flying by plane. Because the secret rooms in the airplane cabin and insufficient control over who are traveling with are the main concerns of people, these problems make people now Switch to other forms of transportation. Everyone seems to think that their car is the safest way to travel.

#Accommodation Although camping deep in the woods alone may become a holiday trend in 2020, there are still many online discussions surrounding hotel and resort accommodation. Just like their transportation options, people want to ensure that wherever they decide to stay, they can guarantee the safety of facilities. Especially the issue of hygiene. Travelers require hotel accommodation to provide them with clear information about the steps they are taking to ensure adequate disinfection of their facilities. Anyone planning to stay in a hotel or resort during the trip will assure them that it will be safe to do so. In general, the epidemic does have a great impact on the tourism industry, but during the epidemic, the tourism industry can use social media to predict its future development, so that there is enough time to fix it and ensure that it will be renewed after the epidemic is over. Back to the peak.


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