TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) announces the acquisition of LaFourchette.com. For the online giant, the French “Fork” will complement its online recommandation and rating services for restaurants and hotels in the world. With operations in France, Spain and Switzerland, LaFourchette booking application will become part of Tripadvisor strategy to provide value services for restaurants.

LaFourhcette has tied 12,000 partnerships with restaurants across Europe since 2007. This distribution network is of big interest for TripAdvisor as stated by the company’s CEO. “LaFourchette has developed an unprecedented network in Europe. We look forward to strengthening the brand LaFourchette and work together to improve our offerings related to restaurants”.

Bertrand Jelensperger – LaFourchette CEO – is optimistic in the French website opportunity to develop in the markets, but the question of LaFourchette’s independence within the TripAdvisor group is still at stake.

TripAdvisor shareholders have approved the LaFourchette deal. The transaction closing would be set up before the end of May 2014. The transaction price and terms & conditions are still unknown. TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) is the world leader in online travel research with reviews and advice on hotels, resorts, flights, vacation rentals, vacation packages and travel guides. TripAdvisor features reviews and opinions from travelers about destinations, accommodations, restaurants and activities in more than 30 countries around the world, including in China under the brand daodao.com.

Since its listing on the Nasdaq Stock Market, TripAdvisor (NASDAQ:TRIP) has launched an agressive strategy of start-ups acquisitions, including Vacation Home Rentals, a Massachusetts-based vacation rentals website, Tripbod, a travel community website operated out of London, and now LaFourchette, a restaurant recommandation website based in Paris.