Articles tagged “groupon”

Many people have worked hard for a long time to bring tours and activities into the digital age. So far, there's very, very little to show for all the work and all the hype.

Groupon's launch of tonight-only hotel deals in its mobile apps isn't exactly the "shot heard 'round the world," but Groupon has the audience and scale to do some damage.

While some erroneously looked to Expedia to take tours and activities mainstream, Groupon, if it survives, is making the first move.

Groupon is rounding out its hotel offering after having acquired same-night hotel app Blink last September. The whole thing is still a very niche product.

We've yet to see the same level of excitement for local tours, activities, and events startups from consumers as we did from investors over the last few years. SideTour's unnamed purchase price is likely low, but it's also likely a sigh of relief for its investors and employees.

For Groupon, which has built its business on limited time-based inventory, the acquisition makes sense to add to its travel business. For the mobile booking sector, it is just the beginning, with a lot more to come.

Critics always claimed that the voucher business was built on a house of cards, and now Travelzoo is admitting that the house is falling.

In its direct-travel sales, Groupon could be taking a page out of Expedia's playbook -- partner with a company, learn the ropes, and eventually shut them out and do it on your own.

The local deals giant finally put up some good numbers this quarter, but its share price has been battered and it will need to improve relations with local businesses if it wants to stay alive.