Travel Channel launches holiday app

The Travel Channel unveiled a Yearly Vacation Time app in Beijing while Beijing UTour International Travel Service Co Ltd announced it has become a shareholder of the app.

Over the next three years, all tourism programs broadcast on the Travel Channel will have tour products of the same or similar itineraries available on the app. The Android version of the app is already available and the iOS version will be launched on Sept 1.

After watching reality programs about travel, audiences will know more about the scenic spots, cuisine and interesting activities at the destinations and then decide whether they will visit.

“Our focus is ‘the visible tour’. The Travel Channel’s programs record all information related to travel, such as food and accommodation, so that you will have a pre-tour on your TV,” said Yan Yi, general manager of the app.

The channel’s two reality tourism shows with celebrities about Thailand and Indonesia will be broadcast soon. Tourists can order the same independent tour packages, with free Chinese language services and free phone cards with Internet access. They will get a full refund if they haven’t used the tour product within its validity period of three years.

Besides itineraries from the TV programs, the app chooses the top 20 cost-effective itineraries among the major tour agencies in China.

“Television to online is the future trend in the tourism industry, with a combination of traditional media and the Internet. It grasps the core value of the industry, to offer comprehensive service to tourists,” said Zhang Dong, vice-president of China Tourism Academy.