Rumor: Kayak and Orbitz considering a merger?
Orbitz is owned by the Travelport, a unit of Blackstone Group and is also a publicly traded company. Other companies that Blackstone’s Travelport unit holds include:
• Galileo, Worldspan, Apollo (GDSes); G2SwitchWorks (GNE);
• Orbitz (mainstream OTA); CheapTickets (discount OTA); eBookers (European OTA); Orbitz RoadWarrior (business travel); Away Network (luxury travel);
• Octopus Travel, HotelClub, RatesToGo (hotel bookings);
• Gullivers Travel Associates a.k.a. GTA (hotel wholesaler);
• Hilton hotels, La Quinta Inns & Suites (hotel chains)

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Exploring Copenhagen
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/08/01/cph.see/index.html

CNN: Making the most of Manila’s chaotic charm
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TRAVEL/06/05/24.manila/index.html

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Lessno partner, Partners Software extends distribution deal with easyJet
Partners Software has extended the remit of its successful cooperation deal with easyJet, Europe’s 4th largest airline. The new agreement gives the German travel software business preferred rights to manage connections between approved travel agents and booking engine suppliers to the easyJet reservation system.
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/31017-Partners-Software-extends-deal-with-easyJet

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Travelocity redesigns its homepage
http://www.eyefortravel.com/news/north-america/travelocity-unveils-new-homepage

Faisal Galaria, European Managing Director for Kayak quits the company
Galaria would not comment on his sudden departure from Kayak except to say there was a “difference of opinion over the direction of the company”. The company has grown primarily through word-of-mouth, keyword buying and PR in the UK since its launch.

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Flirting to get an upgrade to business class
FlyerTalk discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/continental-onepass/508516-upgrade-flirt-wrong.html

Best new hotels of 2009
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2008/index.cfm

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