Monday 20 February 2017

Take Your Booking Engine Mobile



The skyrocketing use of mobile devices makes mobile technology definitely something every business owner should be aware of and an important part of any business plan to attract and serve customers. For those running a small to medium size travel business, it is always a good idea to learn what your competitors are doing with technology and see if something similar might work for you.

Your technology plan needs to include more than a basic mobile ready website so that customers can find your business quickly and easily online. It has taken a while, but many small businesses are finally realizing the potential of mobile ready technology to gain more customers and increase sales. Taking your travel business mobile can help you quickly grow and compete in today's online marketplace.

As Millennials become the largest segment of consumers, you need to make sure your online travel business is ready to serve this generation's travel needs with a mobile booking engine. While there are no precise dates for when this contingent of the population starts or ends, demographers typically use the early 1980s as starting birth years and ending birth years ranging from the mid-1990s to early 2000s for the group. This is the generation that grew up with laptop computers, cellphones and helped fuel the explosion of the use of smart phones globally. They are quick to embrace new technology and make the majority of their purchases online. So when it comes to technology, especially online technology, you need to be open to learning something new every single day, or you will quickly find your online travel business on the shelf with the old 8 track player.

To prevent this, one topic that needs to be center on your radar is Mobile. As you research the mobile booking engine options available, you should consider that more businesses will be offering their services online in 2017 than ever before, ensuring that mobile is here to stay. The benefits of flexibility and easy use help improve the customer engagement in a way you're your Millennial customers desire. A business with a strong mobile strategy understands how a mobile ready technology can increase sales while improving customer engagement and loyalty. When you combine these factors for growth, your business is sure to benefit.

You'll need an online booking engine that includes the powerful tools you'll need to run your business including the ability to quickly adjust a product's selling prices or include a value add offers. A mobile booking engine can help your travel business take full advantage of the access to content and powerful features that an online booking engine offers, combined with the ease and mobility of a handheld device. This can clearly make the difference when it comes to serving the Millennial population who use their handheld devices for just about everything. Finding an online booking solution with the right combination of options for your business can be a critical decision. Finding a technology partner that will help you reach today's mobile consumer where and how they shop for travel can be just as important.

Thursday 16 February 2017

Air Booking Engines Are About Options



Air travel has exploded over the past few decades with more of the population traveling much more frequently than ever before. For many, hopping on a plane to go visit a friend, attend a quick meeting or just to enjoy a show has become as the common place for some of us as taking a bus or train.

I was reminded of this while on a recent weekend trip. I was settling in my seat on a flight to New York when the lady seated next to me said hello and asked if I lived in New York. I said no, but that I was going there for the evening to have dinner and attend a show with a friend. We had a nice conversation about the show I was seeing and where I was planning to stay, etc. She even recommended a few places to eat and go for a drink after the show. We had a nice conversation during the flight and she shared some good suggestions on how I might spend my time in New York. We said our good-bye at the end the flight and headed our separate ways.

I was in ta cab headed to my hotel when I began to think of how casual taking a trip to New York had become. My friends had just called me the day before letting me know they scored tickets to a great show and here I was in New York City the very next day heading to my hotel to get ready before the show. Planning the trip was simple using the air booking engine available on my travel agent's website. I was able to quickly find and book a flight that fit my schedule and the application even included the option to book a hotel room at a reasonable rate. I was all set!

Access to an airline booking engine is a critical part of any online travel business, so you'll want to research the options available in the market. And there are plenty of options out there, so be prepared to do your homework. First, you'll want to understand your customer and determine their travel needs and shopping preferences. Next, do some quick research on the different booking engine options available. For example, consider using an air booking engine that can also help your clients book a hotel room. This may be an excellent way for you to expand your overall sales volumes while helping you serve your customers better and build up customer loyalty in the process.

The airline booking engine you choose needs to be able to provide your travel business the access the airline content your customers need at the price they are looking for. It needs to include business rules capability for you to easily adjust a product's selling price and offer special targeted promotions. And most of all, it needs to be easy to use and mobile ready to meet the demands of today's consumer.

Finding an air booking engine with the right combination of options for your business can be a critical decision. Finding a technology partner that will help you reach today's mobile consumer where and how they shop for air travel can be just as important.