The site introduces a number of leading travel agencies such as Lion Travel and Set Tour to provide a product-searching and price-comparing function through the online travel platform innovated in Taiwan.

The alliance will also enable consumers to compare various prices offerings by various travel agencies and enjoy a one-stop shopping experience. The site, laden with detailed and professional image-rich travel reviews, will soon issue in-depth reports on theme-specific destinations and itinerary recommendations from home and abroad.

Zhu Huiyong, General Manager of Microsoft Online Services (Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau Division), said that MSN’s provision of the new Travel Channel was taking place at “a critical timing when internet application and technology is mature”.

“By taking advantage of quality information, innovative travel booking technology, over 80% of travel market share enjoyed by Abacus, and MSN’s advantage in internet content and social networking, the Travel Channel will definitely provide a perfect match between travel service consumers and travel service operators,” he said.

As a service provider to more than 20,000 travel agencies in 24 countries, Wu Wenguo, Chairman of Abacus (Taiwan) says Abacus (Taiwan) is well-placed to lead the market on the technology aspect.

“What MSN is bringing to the website is equally important – they have the advantage in branding, internet traffic and precise-targeting users in its robust social networking with more than 10 million users. MSN is therefore the best collaboration partner to reach the consumer markets,” Wenguo said.

A number of leading domestic travel agencies, including Liontravel, Lifetour, Settour, Richmond Tours, Appletour, Friendship Tour, Galilee, Gloriatour, Artisan, Leonpkg, Abctravel and EZHOTEL have participated in the website, with more expected to follow.

Featured image credit (taiwan): Ockra/iStock