Tripwolf, the self proclaimed “social travel guide”, just launched their new and revamped version – tripwolf 2.0. Some new features have been added to the new version, and – at least at first sight – the usability of the site has been greatly improved, with an up-to-date contemporary look and feel. However, underneath the design and UI improvements, some substantial and beneficial changes have been underway.
We’ve covered tripwolf since launch last year and its investment round from Mair Dumont and Dieter von Holtzbrinck.
The entire trip planning section is now available without the need to register. Although there is Facebook Connect implemented already, it’s good they’ve taken this route of removing a barrier to sign-ups. Sebastian Heinzel, the CEO told me, “the entire process of getting inspiration up to planning your trip is entirely possible without a sign up”. [Disclosure: I used to work for Tripwolf, but have no other affiliation with them since].
In addition their free iPhone app pulls in the 500,000 points of interest on the service and also lets users actively write reviews from their iPhone and sync their online stored trip guides. It also has a booking section, where you can book your flights via Kayak or Hotels via HotelsCombined. Whatever they’re doing, it appears to be helping, as their traffic is heading in the right direction:
Tripwolf’s aim is to become the one-stop-shop in online travel, which is definitely an incredibly hard goal to reach in this crowded space. The combination of editoral content coming from both established and traditional partners such as Footprint Travel Guides and Marco Polo and User generated content may be a combination which sets it apart from others such as Trip Advisor, but it’s still going to be tough out there. Online travel always is.