ArrivalGuides and Opera Launch New On-demand Travel TV Channel

TV as we once knew it belongs to the past, as unique video channels are created online a daily basis. On-demand TV is now one of the key ways for consumers to find the content they require.

The recent Google survey The 2013 Traveler's Road to Decision: Affluent Insights (Jan 2014) found that "About 55% of travellers watch travel videos online, an increase of five points since 2012". Travel videos are not just watched as entertainment: "The influence of travel videos among affluent travellers is significant with 90% taking some type of action after viewing a travel video online." Furthermore, "62 % say that it influences where they decide to travel."

To take a leading position in this segment, ArrivalGuides, the world's leading supplier of B2B destination content for the travel industry, has formed a strategic content partnership with Opera Software to feature ArrivalTV's online video channel as an app in the Opera TV Store. ArrivalTV joined the Opera TV Store through Opera TV Snap, a technology that transforms online video channels into ready-to-run apps for connected-TV.

Through ArrivalGuide's partnership with over 130 official tourist bureaus, ArrivalTV will help consumers find inspiring destination videos from the key local experts in each destination. ArrivalTV is a one-of-a-kind channel, allowing tourist bureaus to publish their inspirational destination videos and to reach millions of travellers through the ArrivalGuides network (of more than 240 leading travel operators), YouTube, Dailymotion and TV apps for OEMs (such as Sony, Samsung, Philips and Boxee).

"Our partnership with the tourist bureaus and many of the key travel operators in the world, combined with our work with Opera Software, gives us a great potential to create a unique on-demand TV travel channel," says Magnus Aideborn, CEO of ArrivalGuides.

"Video is the most popular kind of content among Smart TV viewers, and what better way to make use of the TV's larger canvas than with video of inspiring destinations from all corners of the globe, on demand whenever wanderlust strikes you," says Daniel Nordberg, Director of Business Development for TV & Devices, Opera Software.

ArrivalGuides have also teamed up with Big5World Film & TV production (producer of a number of award winning marketing and tourist films for cities such as Amsterdam, Stockholm, Heidelberg and Gothenburg) to help destinations produce high quality and inspiring videos.

About ArrivalGuides
ArrivalGuides is the global leader in supplying B2B destination content solutions to the travel industry. Over 240 travel companies use the information to increase their online business offering. ArrivalGuides provide updated information for over 540 destinations, in various languages. ArrivalGuides has created a unique network of information sourced and updated directly by the official tourist bureaus. ArrivalGuides head office is in Gothenburg, Sweden, with sales offices in Germany, Italy and the US.

About Opera Software
Opera products enable more than 350 million internet consumers worldwide to discover and connect with the content and services that matter most to them, no matter what device, network or location. In turn, we help advertisers reach the audiences that build value for their businesses. Opera also delivers products and services to more than 120 mobile operators around the world, enabling them to provide a faster, more economical and better network experience to their subscribers.
Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA. 'Opera', 'Opera Software', 'Opera Mini' and the 'O' logo are trademarks of Opera Software ASA. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Learn more about Opera at www.opera.com.