5 Travel Startups Use Data and Design to Drive Smarter Travel

This week's roundup of travel startups features five new apps that want to help users move and connect more efficiently. And they use data, technology and design to make the process more enjoyable.

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>> MetroMile is a service that provides data and insights about cars and commutes that allow drivers to save money and time. A small device plugs into users' cars and retrieves the data that powers an app providing time and cost-saving strategies.

SkiftTake: MetroMile makes previously hard-to-measure data actionable for individual drivers giving them the power to make more efficient travel decisions.

>> Madbooker is a booking engine built for small independent hotels and vacation rentals. The service is built on open source technology, can be purchased only for a monthly fee, and requires no contract.

SkiftTake:  Madbooker is one of several flexible and affordable booking engines being rolled out for the independent hotel market. The digital tools can be produced and distributed for a small cost therefore making the technology available to smaller properties.

>> TripSource is a new app from corporate travel company BCD Travel. The app organizes business travelers' itineraries, alerts users of gate changes and flight status updates, and provides directions to destinations once on the ground.

SkiftTake: It's surprising how long it takes corporate travel companies to release products like a mobile app, but explains why business travelers are increasingly going rogue and relying on new travel tools for business bookings.

>> WorldWize is an app that aims to connect travelers looking to share recommendations or meet new people. Users can request to connect with other users who are in or recently visited their current locations. They then share local spots or make a plan to meet up.

SkiftTake: There are more than enough apps available to travelers looking to connect with locals and other travelers, but not enough travelers interested in connecting online, then in person, to support all the options.

>> Spottible is an app that lets users keep track of places they have or would like to visit in a certain city. Users can create collections of places and choose to keep them private, share with other app users, or online. There are more than 200 city maps that work offline making the app a good companion for overseas travel.

SkiftTake: This is another perhaps simpler way of building itineraries with an easy to share or store functionality.