Expedia buys travel apps developer

US travel apps developer Mobiata is to be acquired by Expedia for an undisclosed sum as the travel online giant steps up its mobile strategy.

US travel apps developer Mobiata is to be acquired by Expedia for an undisclosed sum as the travel online giant steps up its mobile strategy.


Expedia claims the deal is its “most significant investment to date” in addressing the mobile travel market.


It also accelerates the company’s ability to enable mobile travel shopping and booking across multiple platforms.


Founded just two years ago, Mobiata has developed a host of best selling travel apps, including FlightTrack, ranked as a top five best selling iPhone travel app for 18 months; itinerary manager app TripDeck and hotel booking app HotelPal.


Mobile traffic accounts for approximately 4% of all visitors to Expedia.com, with mobile bookings up nearly five times this year over 2009.


Expedia chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said: “With the pace at which mobile traffic to Expedia sites is exploding, we wanted the right team to help us address the sizable opportunity swiftly and successfully.


“There’s simply no better company out there doing mobile travel apps with the same level of design sensibility and utility as Mobiata.”


The company’s global analytics and optimisation vice-president Joe Megibow said: “Mobile and travel are just made for each other. The mobile device is always with us; it’s always on. Getting mobile right for our customers is something we take very seriously.”


Mobiata founder and president Ben Kazez said: “Together with Expedia, we believe we can continue to revolutionise the way people plan, book, and manage travel – from anywhere on any device.”