TripAdvisor's loosening of its purse strings in 2014 reflects an intense merger and acquisition environment fomented by rivals, including the Priceline Group and Expedia Inc., which have been spending even more than TripAdvisor on acquisitions so far this year.
The dining discounts that travelers can now make through TripAdvisor because of its LaFourchette acquisition are mobile, compelling and undoubtedly of keen interest to its rival, The Priceline Group, which plans to wed OpenTable within a few months. Restaurants are only part one of TripAdvisor's dream to get very mobile in its in-destination offerings.