Google Maps updates navigation for India, bike routes for NZ, Street View for universities
Skift Take
Google will reach a market of nearly 50 million smartphone users in India, and bringing Map Maker to countries with large rural regions like India helps Google get closer to mapping every road in the world.
Google announced a couple of updates to Google Maps today. The Google Maps Navigation app for Android, for example, will now offer turn-by-turn navigation for India. In addition, Google has also turned on live traffic data for six large Indian cities and their suburbs. These cities are Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Pune and Hyderabad.
Today’s update isn’t just about India, though. Google is also launching biking directions and Map Maker for New Zealand and, just in time for the start of the next semester, the company is bringing Street View imagery to 150 universities around the world.
Up Next
Hotels
How Data Quality Issues Impact Global Hospitality Operations
There are wide discrepancies in data quality for hotel transactions across global regions, with the largest occurring in Asia-Pacific. Because hotels and agencies need to harness data quality to thrive, they must take a more nuanced regional approach to monitoring potential issues.
Sponsored 
Tourism
The White Lotus Effect Could Be a Disaster for Thailand's Koh Samui - And Travel Media Is Making it Worse
It is disheartening to see the same publications that have previously reported on the perils of overtourism now behaving like golden retrievers chasing a tennis ball, sprinting after the hype with little critical reflection.
Startups
Travel Startups Raise $580 Million Over Two Weeks
The ticket experiences sector has been ripe for modernization, and Klook is among those cashing in.
Airlines
Tariffs and Travel: What Trump’s Trade Moves Could Mean for Airlines
President Trump’s proposed tariffs on aluminum and steel imports could have ripple effects on the aviation industry — and eventually result in passengers footing the bill.
Hotels
Accor CEO: Opening Hotels in Mykonos Too Risky due to Climate Change
When a major hotel group like Accor decides not to build in Mykonos because of climate risks, it's a sign that climate change is reshaping business decisions.