A new subscription-based mobile phone application has been launched to allow friends and family to follow a gap year traveller live online as they travel abroad. The core function of Gaptrac is to provide safety for the user and peace of mind for loved ones left at home.

There has been a considerable growth in the number of suppliers providing e-commerce solutions, as selling online has become a ‘must-do’ activity for tour operators. The Travel Technology Consultancy Genesys says there are no longer any excuses, and that your product is never too complex, too tailor-made or too expensive to sell online. If you cannot close the deal online there and then, you run the risk of your customer booking elsewhere.

If you can access the internet on your mobile or PDA, you can receive mobile specific traffic & travel information from BBC Travel News. Getting travel information to your mobile phone over WAP is a very useful way to check for problems