TravelShout: Socialization of online travel

It appears that it isn't just Internet behemoths that have been working on a way to socialize the web. An application, similar in concept to Google’s Friend Connect, has been launched today. Called TravelShout, it allows Internet users to talk in real-time across websites containing similar content.

by Helen Leggatt

travelshout%20logo.jpg Not every webmaster wants their site to be taken over by social applications or become social networks in themselves, but many know that being part of the social web is important.

That’s where TravelShout appears to fit in. It’s a tiny snippet of code that, when added to a website, enables conversations to take place between participating websites including travel-related blogs, magazines, newspapers, booking agencies and other destinations across the Internet that have also implemented TravelShout.

"TravelShout lets users chat and get advice from people while on the same or different websites...or potentially any internet travel site", explains Chris Shaver, CEO of BookingWiz in a recent announcement. "TravelShout truly is the ultimate real-time online chat experience for travel shoppers. First hand advice from travelers anywhere on Earth.”

Ultimately, the application will rely on a widespread uptake both by webmasters and Internet users. The current squabbling between Facebook and Google’s Friend Connect could well see more developments in the socializing of the web cropping up soon.

Webmasters might like to take note that TravelShout make mention of a “revenue model that will be developed in future versions”.