Melbourne-based travel search company, Rome2rio, has launched its multi-modal search engine platform as an iPhone app and is making its source code available to licensees, allowing them to offer their own next-generation travel search capability on a mobile platform.

Users of the app do not need to visit multiple websites to research and compare their travel options. Unlike most travel search tools, which only show flight options, Rome2rio returns journey plans that include air, rail, road and sea options. Results are typically returned in one second.

It also provides answers to questions like, “Do I have to fly, or can I go by train or car?” or “I’m visiting six cities across Europe: show me the best itinerary including air, rail and driving options.”

Rome2rio CEO Rod Cuthbert said he expects licensing interest to come from OTAs and meta-search players focused on the European and Asian markets.

“Offering flights-only search results is still reasonable in the US market, but in Europe and much of Asia it just doesn’t make sense nowadays. In those markets flying is often not the logical or preferred choice, and we need to start answering a different customer question, not ‘What are my flight options?’ but ‘What’s the best way to get there?’.”

He added that the licensing model for the app provided an easy pathway for companies looking to make the jump from current generation search tools, offering air-only results, to next-generation search on a mobile platform.

“Licensees will customise design and the outbound links to capture bookings on either their own app or site, or through their own partnerships. Beyond that, the app is fast, highly functional and ready to go.”