How Online Travel Companies Can Help You Discover Unique Travel Experiences

Online travel agencies (OTAs) offer various options for travelers. Many have price comparison features and bundle flights, hotels, and rental cars into package deals.

Tours, events, and experiences are an excellent way for brands to differentiate themselves in the market. By listing on OTAs, these businesses can reach a large audience actively searching for unique local experiences!

They’re a One-Stop Shop

Travelers who use online travel agencies (OTAs) can find everything they need to book their trips in one place.

The biggest OTAs offer flight searches and bookings, but they can also help with hotel reservations, car rentals, and even cruises and vacation packages. They get this inventory by plugging into a global distribution system, or GDS. These significant marketplaces were created by airlines to distribute their flight inventories. Still, online travel companies now use them to access various other travel products.

Many major OTAs are moving toward dynamic packaging, bundling airline tickets and hotels into a single package for less than buying them a la carte. It’s a good thing for travelers, as they can save money and time by shopping in a single location.

This is also an excellent opportunity for tour and activity providers to reach more customers. For example, a specialized OTA is increasing and has high-profile investors. It can connect activity suppliers to travelers who wouldn’t have found them otherwise while offering an outstanding customer experience on the web and mobile. The best part? It’s free to become a partner.

They’re a Trusted Source

Online travel companies have become the Everything Store for Travel, available on your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet; click here. They are a convenient way to book flights, hotels, and rental cars all in one place. But what makes an OTA great is its ability to provide trusted information and real, local recommendations.

As travelers rely increasingly on online resources to plan their trips, the need for trusted sources increases. Travel blogs, in particular, have significantly impacted the travel industry as they provide a real sense of what it’s like to travel to specific destinations and experience local events and activities. Travel bloggers also write authentically from the heart and take many photos to share, a more genuine representation of what it’s like to visit a destination than what you might find in a tourism brochure or website.

But it’s important to note that not all OTAs are created equal, and some bad actors use bait-and-switch tactics to mislead consumers. These OTAs can appear to be the cheapest option during search results, only to reveal a lot of extra fees when you click through to book your trip. This tactic frustrates the consumer and can lead to higher prices in the long run.

They’re a Cost-Effective Option

Online travel companies have become popular among consumers because of their convenience and cost-effectiveness. They offer various travel options and can save travelers time and money by booking flights, hotels, car rentals, tours, and activities.

OTAs can also be an excellent way for travelers to compare prices and select the best option for their budget. Some OTAs offer discounted package deals, including airfare, hotel, and activities. This can make traveling more affordable than ever.

However, it’s important to note that not all OTAs are created equal. Some OTAs have been accused of misleading consumers by hiding additional costs in search results. This can result in a “bait-and-switch” pricing strategy that can be more expensive than booking direct.

Many OTAs earn revenue by charging a fee to accommodation providers, typically around 12% of the total booked room rate. However, some OTAs also provide extra perks to their customers in exchange for this commission, such as discounts and rewards programs.

For tour and activity providers, partnering with an OTA can effectively increase reach and drive more bookings. With the increased use of mobile, OTAs can help tour and activity brands reach potential customers searching for things to do in their local area. This is particularly important as searches for “things to do” + “near me” have seen a 6X increase in the last two years.

They’re a Great Source of Information

In an information age, online travel companies can provide valuable knowledge to their customers. These resources can help travelers discover unique travel experiences and build itineraries through videos, photos, podcasts, or blogs. Ultimately, this can help them create a more meaningful and memorable trip.

Moreover, online travel companies can use customer data to create more personalized itineraries. This can be achieved through their CRM solution, which can offer a safe and organized repository of critical customer data such as names, ages, birthdays, anniversaries, addresses, and work profiles. Moreover, they can also analyze the types of hotels and restaurants that their customers like and are interested in visiting.

For tour operators, event and experience providers, partnering with online travel companies can be a great way to reach potential customers. It allows them to connect with travelers actively planning a trip and avoid competing against the crowded booking platforms and leaflets available at hotel receptions.

Moreover, the partnership can help them improve their marketing strategy and drive engagement, which can increase sales. In addition, it can help them improve their customer service and ensure that all their customers get the best possible experience. This can make them a more reliable source of travel information and help customers feel confident about their purchases