Travel meta-search website SideStep has acquired independent hotel review and ratings website TravelPost.com.
The deal, for an undisclosed figure, will give the travel search company’s five million visitors access to TravelPost’s portfolio of more than 500,000 hotel reviews, photos and blogs.
TravelPost was founded in January 2004 and is understood to be the largest independently-owned site for independent, unbiased hotel reviews, travel advice, news and travel blogs.
Consumers post reviews by age, gender, purpose of stay and travel budget and bloggers can also write their experiences and keep track of where they have travelled on an online interactive world map.
SideStep plans to integrate TravelPost’s travel planning content into its site to match travellers to hotels which best meet their needs with travel advice from travellers with similar interests.
SideStep president and chief executive Rob Solomon said: “We are redefining the way people find and use travel information. The expansion of user-generated content is a powerful trend, and this acquisition allows SideStep to accelerate its offerings.”