Santa Clara, Calif.-based Yahoo! Inc. said it is making its travel
booking and information service available to Web-enabled cell phones across
the United States as part of its Yahoo! Everywhere initiative.
As part of the launch, Fort Worth, Texas-based Travelocity.com was
selected as the content provider the latest mobile version of Yahoo! Travel,
which serves as both an online travel agency and a travel guide.
Financial arrangements between the companies were not disclosed.
Among other features, consumers will be able to click on Yahoo! Travel on
their Web-enabled phone to access an exclusive Travelocity feature called
“Best Fares” that lists the latest discounted offers for travel across the
United States.
“With the launch of Yahoo! Travel for Web-enabled phones, we are further
establishing our leadership position in the wireless space,” said Anurag
Mendhekar, director of Yahoo! Everywhere. “With the integration of
Travelocity’s wireless travel tools, Yahoo! is able to provide timely and
personalized information to the most mobile consumers —
travelers.”
Yahoo! Everywhere, aimed at extending Yahoo! beyond the desktop, so far has
signed agreements with service providers and manufacturers of Web-connected
devices in 26 countries, providing content in 14 languages.
Yahoo! Travel serves as both an online travel agency and a travel guide.
Yahoo! Travel allows consumers to book flights, car rentals and hotel rooms,
as well as research trips by destination, price and interest.
Separately, Yahoo! said that Anil Singh, chief sales and marketing officer
and senior vice president of business operations, will retire in early May
“to spend more time with his family and pursue personal interests.” Singh is
credited with building out the Yahoo! sales operations.
“Under his leadership, the company built a top sales organization from the
ground up and pioneered the concept of online advertising when it was still a
new idea for marketers,” said Jeff Mallett, Yahoo!’s president and chief
operating officer.
Yahoo! said on March 7 that it has begun a search for a new chief executive
officer to replace Tim Koogle, who will retain the board chairman title.
The company’s stock was down 81 cents to $51.25 in the early going today.
