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In this fourth podcast, we look at multilingual SEO for the travel industry. We look at tips for how and why travel industry websites ought to go global, and look into some international trends and changes happening in online travel search behaviors. This podcast is a must-listen for any travel company interested in the opportunities beyond their own domestic markets.
Read more…

Prominent web reporter Christopher Elliott recently blogged about Oban’s research finding. His interpretation of Oban’s report sparked off debate about the question of discrimination towards non-English speakers on the World Wide Web. Read the post.

We want to know what you think! Our friends at Poll the People have set up a poll for you to voice your thoughts on the debate.

The question:

Do travel websites discriminate against non-English users?

Spanish: ¿Discriminan las páginas web de viajes a los usuarios de habla no inglesa?

German: Diskriminieren Reise-Webseiten nicht-englisch-sprechende Internetnutzer?

French: Les sites de voyage discriminent-ils les utilisateurs non-anglophones?

Chinese: 旅遊網站是否其是非英語使用者?

Czech: Myslíte si, že stránky o cestování diskriminují uživatele, kteří nemluví anglicky?

Slovak: Diskriminujú webové stránky o cestovaní tých užívateľov, ktorých rodným jazykom nie je angličtina?

Romanian: Este adevărat că site-urile româneşti discriminează nevorbitorii de limbă engleză?

Farsi:

آیا وبسایتهای سفر آنلاین نسبت به کاربران غیر انگلیسی زبان تبعیض قائل میشوند؟

Vote now:

International online customers say they are often forced to search in English

Travel sites do not cater to their international users. This was the finding of the www.obanmultilingual.com short documentary on international travel search behaviour.

In making the video, the Oban team travelled to London where they interviewed holidaymakers from over 40 countries. The interviewees were asked how they used the internet to research their trip to London.

The Oban team was surprised by their findings.

“What we had expected,” says Greig Holbrook, Oban’s managing director, “was that the travellers would say that they search in their native language. But instead, most of them admitted they were forced to search in English, since the travel sites often do not give them a multilingual option.” Read more…

Oban Multilingual and EyeforTravel have rounded up the results from their online travel competition survey and found some interesting trends emerging in online Chinese search behaviour.

Results showed that Chinese internet users don’t use Google very often. In fact, none of the Chinese respondents chose Google as their favoured travel search portal. Read more…

The Face of Global Search competition reveals interesting data

Travel sites take note: there is much more to the international online travel market than Google. The results from Oban and EyeforTravel’s online travel competition show that international internet surfers are expanding their search horizons to sites that give them more international usability, more options, ease of use, and of course, traveller reviews.

The Face of Global Search competition had entrants play a flash game in which they answered questions about their online travel search behaviour before advancing to the next level. Read more…

www.growthbusiness.co.uk

Your business in Danglish

Growth business recently reported on Oban’s analysis of ‘Danglish’ as a useful language tool for targetting the vast potential market of internet surfers living in Denmark.

Only six days left in Oban’s Face of Global Search competition

Every 15^th player to play the Face of Global Search game will win a bottle of champagne in addition to being entered into the original prize draw.

But hurry - there’s only six days left to throw your virtual suitcase around.

The game has players attempt to toss their suitcase to a portal which transports them to the next level in another part of the world.

Players are eligible to win either £150 or £100 worth of travel vouchers just for playing. Those who finish the game are eligible for the big prize - £250 worth of travel vouchers.

During the game, players are asked multiple choice questions about how they use the internet to book their holidays.

Those who are curious about what Oban has discovered as its database of answers matures should check out the video that they put together at the game’s website: www.faceofglobalsearch.com.

The competition ends July 23^rd.

http://www.theretailbulletin.com/news/

European online retailers ready for language challenge

By Greig Holbrook

Recently The Retail Bulletin reported that many business websites are ill-equipped to deal with cross-border e-commerce.

This article looks at multilingual online retailing could help these businesses deal with this challenge, and even thrive.

Nearly two-thirds of European retailers say they are ready to carry out transactions in more than one language. However, only one third of EU consumers say they are willing to purchase goods and services in another language, according to the European Commission’s Eurobarometer report. Read more…

www.m-travel.com/news

Travellers on Tape

Oban’s short documentary about online travel search behaviour surprised even them.

It’s their most visual endeavour to put a human face on global search. Oban Multilingual’s short video, filmed in England’s capital, captures international travellers at their most candid.

Oban conducted interviews with individuals from over 40 countries. The Oban team wanted to find out how the travellers were using the internet to search.

The team was surprised to have not found the answers they expected. But after a careful review of the footage, the light bulb went on.

The video is available to watch at www.faceofglobalsearch.com.

The ending reveals the paradoxical conclusion that emerged after a long day of interviews.

While you’re at the site, check out the Face of Global Search game. There’s only two weeks left to throw your virtual suitcase around to win prizes.

Make sure to play soon or you’ll miss out on the £250 travel voucher draw.

Ten days left in the Face of Global Search competition

Hurry up and get your game on. There’s only two weeks left to throw your virtual suitcase around in Oban’s flash competition game.

The game has players attempt to toss their suitcase to a portal which transports them to the next level in another part of the world.

Players are eligible to win either £150 or £100 worth of travel vouchers just for playing. Those who finish the game are eligible for the big prize - £250 worth of travel vouchers.

During the game, players are asked multiple choice questions about how they use the internet to book their holidays.

Those who are curious about what Oban has discovered as its database of answers matures should check out the video that they put together at the game’s website: www.faceofglobalsearch.com.

The competition ends July 23rd.