Google will now allow users to compare and book hotels via its search page directly. The feature is currently available on mobile devices only in selected countries. Google did not share the names of the countries.
This is an extension of Google’s travel services like Google Flights, explore and track. The search major said that in the next few days, users will see that if they search for a flight in Google Flights, they can click right in to “Hotels” at the top of the page.
Users can email their trip reservations to themselves, or friends or family from the search page, and can also make edits and access them offline with the Google Trips app (Android, iOS).
Google is now offering services which were traditionally offered by specific players like Online Travel Agents (OTA) or cab aggregators, and travel search portals. For example, Google earlier added cab booking like Ola and Uber directly via Google Maps.
OTAs should worry?
OTAs might have to worry a bit, as not only Google but airlines too are entering in their space. Spicejet has a new website called Spicevacations for booking hotel rooms and buying hotel packages. Spicejet’s new website says that it has more than 35,000 hotels. It looks like the hotels are only in India and they do not aggregate hotels in other countries. However, it does have holiday packages in Dubai, Male and Thailand. Indigo and GoAir too has hotels and packages websites as well. Jet Airways, on the other hand, has a number of partnerships with hotels. Indigo has also partnered with homestay aggregator GuestHouser for holiday homes.
