Remember your first flight and travel experience? The thrill of holding the ticket, waiting in line to check in your luggage and receiving the boarding pass? Then once again waiting for the flight to be called?
It was so different that you didn’t care about the wasted time and the fact that you got to the airport 2 hours before the flight was due to leave. It was a fantastic experience.
I am old enough to remember leaving the airport building and walking out onto the apron to board the aircraft. Obviously well before security rules prevented that.
A lot of hard work went into producing that ticket, to book flights, and the operational efficiency of the travel agency was slow and laborious.
If you had to follow that travel process now, it simply wouldn’t work. People want everything to be faster and more convenient, and the industry has had to step up its game.
As tourist needs have changed, so have the travel companies supplying the travel services.
Tourism has invested heavily in technology to achieve a level of convenience never seen before.
Travel agencies are now using specific travel technology software to assist their clients and customers every step of the way in their travels.
Airlines are using highly complex software for passenger services and reservation systems.
So, what are the benefits of travel technology software to the industry?
Travel Agency software
Travel agencies are using travel management software for business growth and to retain customers. They are finding the benefits of gathering big data, using that data to make travel more personalized, and maintaining a good connection with their customers, whether they be regular tourists or business class. Client management is key to success.
Traditional travel business booking services were time intensive and not user friendly. Travel agents had to call an airline’s booking center, who would check with their central reservation system, which was an inventory tracker, and answer the agent’s query.
The whole procedure took a lot of time and energy, but it served its purpose. There was no other way for a traveler to book a ticket but to use the services of a travel business.
Global Distribution channels
Today, many travel agents have access to specialized travel technology software called Global Distribution Systems, which are effectively a giant one stop shop for all the needs of a traveler.
The main travel agencies that use GDS are those who specialize in corporate travel and complex itineraries.
There are four big GDS, each of which has a different group of airlines, hotels and car rentals. So there are thousands of price comparisons available to the travel agency.
It takes a skillful travel agent to use the GDS, and it isn’t at all like the android apps you can download on your smartphone. Many months of training are required to operate the software.
Travel agencies can pick the airline, the type of aircraft, and the seat class for a flight. The same can be done for hotels (location, size, room selection) and car rentals (type, engine power, number of passengers).
Flexibility
Travel agencies enjoy flexible working hours due to the ‘always connected’ software and allows them to work when and where they wish. These destination management companies can oversee the entire activity of any client at any time, being able to monitor all bookings, confirmations and payments.
CRM
Customer relationship management software, or CRM, allows travel agencies to capture data from customers and use that data to make precise decisions for the best travel experience for them.
When a customer feels connected with a business, they usually tend to stick with them. Retention is known to be cheaper than finding new clients, and analyzing big data is key to maintaining and growing the market base.
CRM improves customer service, increases sales, and helps organizations streamline their operational efficiency and business processes.
Online travel portal
An online travel portal will give all the necessary booking details so that if changes or amendments are needed, they can easily be done by the customer. Once changes are made, the travel management software is updated for the travel agent’s information.
Marketing and Analysis
Travel technology with robust backend software stores data which can then be used for customer management, marketing purposes for new customers and elaborate analysis for reporting of information.
One of the key benefits of using marketing tools is helping travel agencies gain a competitive edge on their business rivals, for instance allowing them to put together perfect tour packages for old and new customers.
The statistics derived from the data help travel businesses to set top level tasks for staff to improve sales pitching, increase online booking cases and sales.
Tours and itineraries
Travel technology software solutions allow tour operators to oversee a supplier and inventory management system, ensuring that they are always ready and open for business.
Travel agencies are able to book tour operators using their booking engines and discover what types of tours are available for their clientele.
Whatever types of tours are offered, be they boat tours, museums, art galleries and so on, tour operators and travel agents have the ability to instantly communicate and agree on terms using travel technology solutions.
Travel management software for business travel
There are many benefits of using a travel management system. Cost is one of the main reasons that businesses use these types of software, with time saving and ease of use right up there. Many different services sit on a single technology platform and the software solutions provide a great deal of scope to the business.
Medium to large enterprises use this type of travel management solution to produce expense reports and improve their management system and business processes in line with corporate travel policies. Financial tools included in the travel management system assist companies to manage their travel budgets.
Hospitality software solutions
Hotels
What every hotel chain wants is an efficient property management system that contains front desk, bookings and reservations tools together with an event management system and inter branch communication to cover shortfalls in room availability.
Simplified check-in is a bonus for both the hotel and the guest, and removes the uncomfortable waiting period. With online travel software, guests are able to arrive at their destination, check in, and get a digital door key without needing to wait in line.
Hotel management software makes invoicing and control over revenue a cinch. Hotels have the ability to set rates according to different scenarios and to offer guest discounts, and have any number of report generation options.
Housekeeping and workforce management is included in some travel technology software, allowing the senior management to allocate resources and keep the business running efficiently.
Restaurants
A bad review left on a mobile app might indicate a problem with the business practices, not simply with the food. Restaurants are designed and operated to provide entertainment by way of food services and decor to the customer, and if a part of this entertainment is lacking or missing, the business is not providing the right service.
The key features of restaurant hospitality tech are to provide speedy services, from meal delivery to the final bill, incorporating Point of Sale software solutions with management software.
With management software, customers are able to make reservations online, order food, and receive mobile alerts when their table is ready or when their food is available for pickup.
Final thoughts
The benefits of travel software are almost too many to mention, and a travel management company would be crazy not to take advantage of them. The travel industry needs to stay at the leading edge of technology in order to provide the best service possible.
Travel technology solutions give the customers what they want, and that creates a loyal group of people who will be ready for more personalized offers in the future.
Travel software is moving along rapidly, and the sheer amount of software companies that develop new and exciting travel technology products for the travel business and client management is huge.
Artificial intelligence combined with solid business processes will only improve the general sense of wellbeing and comfort for the traveling public.
It looks like there will be an outstanding future for the travel business.
