British Airways and Google have recently announced a novel collaboration designed to make holiday preparation even easier by launching a new interactive service through the ba.com website.

To celebrate its ‘World Offers’ fare sale,  which launched on August 31, the airline will feature Google Earth satellite technology on ba.com, allowing travelers to zoom in on their destination of choice when evaluating excellent discounts available on flights and hotels.

British Airways has created special ‘layers’ of information for Google Earth to enable ba.com visitors to see popular tourist hot-spots and their proximity to their chosen hotel – the ultimate planning tool for holidaymakers, so they can organize their itinerary before they arrive.

Jayne O’Brien, head of brands and marketing communications at British Airways, said: ” …this has the added customer benefit of allowing them to familiarise themselves with the local area, hotels and amenities through Google Earth. ….”

Obi Felton, Head of Consumer Marketing at Google, said: “We hope holiday-makers have fun with this specially created tool.  ….”

I believe that this announcement represents a novel combination of two different technologies which can combine to enhance the advantages of online services available for travelers wishing to plan itineraries and trips themselves. I’m sure that we will hear a lot more of this form of technology in the months to come.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com