Online travel agents wary of Google encroaching on their turf

Washington

AT the largest online travel conference last week, industry executive Steve Hafner was asked an unusual question: What's the first word that comes to mind when you think about Google? "Annoying", said Mr Hafner, chief executive officer of Priceline Group Inc's Kayak business.

Mr Hafner captured the mood well. Despite more than US$15 billion in annual revenue and hefty profits, online travel agents such as Priceline and Expedia Inc are increasingly wary of Google encroaching on their turf. That's lifting tension with a sector that's one of Google's biggest advertisers.