I am impressed with the travel site Kayak.com, which uses Ajax technology to automagically update the screen without the user having to click Go or Search or Find or whatever. Since Kayak’s sorting and filtering functionality makes Orbitz looks like a 90-year-old clunky piece of archaic Web engineering, I did not hesistate to switch to Kayak for my online travel reservation needs.
Kayak’s business model apparently includes baiting its registered users to make trips to emerging tourist locales. I received an email today that suggested booking a flight to Warsaw, Poland. To the copywriter who was forced to write the following blurb to entice Americans to travel to Warsaw, Poland in the dead of winter… I admire your creativity and your gumption. Good strategy, to confront that whole ghetto connotation in the first line, and then quickly focus on Warsaw’s attributes, like its vodka, its “energized” prostitutes on the “Pissup” tour, and the opportunity to drunkenly roam the town without any of the locals caring or, indeed, noticing. “And did you tour any of the sight while you were in Warsaw?” “No. I would’ve loved to see the castles and museums, but sadly, none of the tours were in English.”
And here is the text of Kayak’s email, luring me to visit Warsaw…
If your only association with Warsaw is its ghettos, you’re missing out on a luxurious and cosmopolitan city – and the birthplace world-renowned vodka. Kick off the new year with a visit to the Koneser Warsaw Vodka Factory. Located in a complex of historically listed buildings dating back to 1897, this factory now cranks out 16 million bottles/year and produces brands such as Metropolis and Legenda. Get there early as the tours usually wind down by 1pm. (Bring a Polish friend though, as tours are probably not available in English) Looking for a more social experience? The Warsaw Pissup Tour offers extensive tasting and “energized” companions. Afterwards, spill into the Old Town Square Market and peruse the bars, restaurants, and boutiques. Or satisfy something besides your palette and visit the Royal Castle, Wilanow Palace, and Historical Museum of Warsaw.
