Travel search engines

[MUSCLE13]

Do any of you guys think travel search will become a major vertical in the industry? I think Yahoo acquired one some time back. Are the big players all getting involved? Does travel search work similar to shopping search? Just trying to find out what the future is in this vertical? Does it have a strong future? Thanks

[seobook]

based on the # of affiliate travel sites in the search results one would assume that search engines will eventually create more and more custom partnerships. travel is a huge industry on the web.

[halfacat]

I agree with SB. As things mature the SE's will find more and more ways to make "General" search topics more vertical so that users will be able to focus in on the topics.

That said, as users learn to search 'better' they will find that existing SE's already do this fairly well. Add to this systems like Overture and Adwords and miniature verticals are sprouting up already. If I broad match on 'Travel' on either PPC program then my Ad/Link will show whenever someone searches on Travel.

The only vertical program I have really looked into is Business.com. Neat Idea but I already get everything they offer with Overture and Adwords but without the major headache that their system causes(overly broad categories and stiff pricing options).