Posted on: November 20, 2010
Northstar Travel Media Introduces Travel-42.com
Website draws upon Weissmann Reports and Star Service Online
Travel 42 // © 2010 Northstar Travel Media
Beginning Jan. 1, travel agents will have a new online resource for finding professional reviews, creating client itineraries, conducting research and more.
Travel-42.com is the latest product from Northstar Travel Media, a leader in b-to-b travel information and the parent company of TravelAge West. For the first time ever, the company’s Weissmann Reports destination guides and Star Service Online hotel and cruise reviews will be combined into a single easy-to-navigate website.
“It’s pretty powerful to bring all these substantial resources together for the first time,” said Tom Cintorino, executive vice president of digital media for Northstar. “We think it will quickly become an important resource for the professional agent.”
The service, which will cost agents $42 per month, gives users access to 10,000 independent hotel reviews, 300 cruise ship reviews and 5,700 destination guides. Subscribers will be able to sort and compile hotels and cruises based on destination, ratings, amenities and more, and then combine these with tips for dining, attractions and activities, in order to build a complete itinerary for clients. As entries are updated in the database, saved itineraries will be updated automatically with the new information as well.
In addition, from the home page, agents will have access to news and information, including travel alerts and warnings pertaining to specific destinations. This information is powered by Intelliguide Corporate, another Northstar resource.
The site will also be compatible with existing programs, such as Client Base.
According to Cintorino, the second phase of Travel-42.com will include more tools for social networking and information sharing. Eventually, agents will be able to add their own reviews of hotels and cruise ships for other users to see.
“We’re also looking to work with consortia and host agencies to make the system work best for their members,” Cintorino added.