With the explosion of the backpacker culture over the last decade there is certainly room for such a service online.
Yahoo! describes the travel tool that simplifies the research, planning and sharing of trips online. This enables users to customise their travel plans to suit their needs and print into a personal guide book.
The system lets users find information on Trip Planner and the rest of the Internet and amalgamate this information into one AJAX interface. Users have the ability to control who has access to their trip plan from just a few people to the entire web.
Yahoo! has created a knowledge bank of travel plans and feedback which is an excellent tool for travellers looking for the next hidden oasis to explore or dangerous areas to avoid. Trip Planner includes top trip plans chosen by users which is illustrated on Yahoo! Maps allowing people to view a trip around the world or a specific area. Other features include the ability to post a travel journal and display photos.
The Yahoo! Trip Planner community can rate how helpful the individual plans are by bookmarking their favourites for their next adventure. Trips are linked through to Yahoo! 360 where user profiles can be displayed when viewing trip plans to find out more about the author. Yahoo! has also created a local restaurant, hotel and entertainment guide for users looking for the next drinking hole or party central.
So, how does one use the Yahoo! Trip Planner?
Starting from the search box, Yahoo! directs users to the Yahoo! Trip Planner when entering destination keywords along with a word such as 'trip'. Users can link directly to the top community ranked trip plans for example 'Vancouver trips' will link to the Yahoo! Trip Planner which gives the best trip plans for travelling in Vancouver whether it is a cruise up the Alaskan coast or just walking about in the city.
Google has also been working on similar technology to link travellers and their hints and tips. I'm looking forward to seeing when the search engine giant unveils their version.
Somebody get me my backpack and hip flask - its time to see the world again.
