STA Travel, the world’s largest student travel organisation, is introducing Web 2.0 initiatives to match products to customers more effectively.

The company plans to start offering interactive maps, blogs and podcasts to create more exciting web sites for its users.

‘New tools and application program interfaces have made it easier to introduce interactive applications,’ said STA’s global webmaster Craig Hepburn.

‘We will launch a new interactive Google map next month so people can plan and see their trip around the world,’ he said. ‘This will also allow us to promote products specific to the customer’s online plan.’

STA Travel also intends to enable customers to post online travel journals, images, videos and podcasts, so travellers can share information and their experiences with other customers.

The adoption of RSS technology will also allow customers to receive information and content specific to them via a live feed.

Ovum analyst Graham Titterington says Web 2.0 will become increasingly important,.

‘However, it is still in the experimental stage and we do not know what the long-term effects and benefits will be,’ he said. ‘It gives people the power to change a web site but existing tools would have to be adapted.’

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Further reading

STA Travel's web sites take off

STA installs content management

STA Travel unifies web sales systems