A senior Google executive insisted the search giant has no plans to become an online travel agent (OTA), but conceded he could Òsee why people thinkÓ it will.
ÒWe are not becoming an OTA, but I can see why people think the Book on Google feature makes us an OTA,” said Oliver Heckmann, Google Head of Engineering for Shopping and Travel.
Book on Google for accommodation searches, launched in 2015, was developed because hotels find it Òhard to get consumers [on mobile devices] to bookÓ, said Mr Heckmann.
ÒConversion numbers on mobile were not as good as on desktop,” saidÊMr Heckmann.Ê”For a consumer on mobile to transact they have to enter their name, details, maybe remember an account password. The chances are of not converting.
ÒIt is much easier to convert on a Google page. So instead of sending a user to a page, you stay on Google. But it’s a completely optional feature.
ÒWe are [still] connecting users to partner hotels.Ó
By Ian Taylor, Travolution
