There are many options for creating travel booking software. Before you explore these options, list what you want from your travel booking system. Consider both the needs of your business and the needs of your customers. Some of the essential features to look for when building travel booking software include:
- Real-time booking capabilities
- The ability to accept various forms of payment, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and online wallets
- A user-friendly interface
- The option to scale up in the future
While many of these features are essential for any good online travel agency, you and your customers may only need some of what a developer offers. First, focus on the most critical elements and then consider adding more advanced features like promo codes, guest loyalty points, and special rates for specific inventory later.
As a travel business owner, you may wonder why you need an online booking system. Here are some exciting features that can inspire you to start receiving online bookings:
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24/7 Availability
The most significant benefit of an online booking system is that it keeps your business open daily. This means you can generate revenue 24/7 instead of only during typical 8-hour workdays. For your customers, the travel booking software offers them a chance to book travel anytime without visiting your office or calling an agent.
Reduced Workload
Another advantage of an online booking system for an online travel agency is the reduction of workload and workforce. You no longer need extra staff to handle bookings and keep records. The online travel portal can also handle refunds and cancellations. As a result, you can focus on expanding your growing business.
Increased Customer Satisfaction
Enhanced customer satisfaction is also among the defining attributes of an online portal. Communication features like online chat, instant messenger, customer-support tickets, and automated answers can handle critical queries 24/7 instead of delegating these tasks to a full-time call center employee.
Additional Revenue Streams
Creating a travel portal app and integrating your online travel agency with a search engine are just two of several methods that can increase your revenue. You can even incorporate the booking software on your social media pages for additional income opportunities.
Timely Payment
Getting paid on time is the most overlooked benefit of the online booking system. When customers use online payment modes, the payment is processed, cleared, and transferred instantly. You no longer need to deal with advance payments, cheques, and letters of credit.
Functional Requirements for Booking Software
It must provide all primary booking functions to get the most out of your online travel booking system. Your goal should be to operate a fully-featured online travel portal as close to a self-service, automated system as possible.
For example, if you run a hotel, the system should integrate different room rates based on arrivals, such as early and last-minute bookings. It should also allow maximum flexibility in booking a room based on maximum occupancy.
Well-known hotel booking portals can show different types of rooms, suites, and apartments based on the number of adults and the age of each child. Room type, preference, and ADU units are other functions to consider.
When working with a travel portal developer, you can add extra features that may not be available on other websites. For instance, most airline websites do not integrate baggage allowance in their portals. Others need to include information related to child rates. Adding these features to the booking software can give you a competitive advantage.
Using travel API integration to complement your service is also becoming increasingly popular. The feature allows you to integrate third-party inventory feeds into your booking portal. It works because you can offer customers hundreds of options without holding stock. Successful examples include hotel room comparison portals, hotel review websites, and tour booking services.
Online booking has become famous for people to book travel and related services. Over 80% of adults in the United States already use online channels to book their trips. This number is expected to grow to almost 700 million individuals globally by 2023, reflecting the continued growth of online technologies.
Traditional travel companies are moving online and transforming their websites into self-service portals to keep up with these trends. These portals allow customers to access travel services without human intervention, with backend customer support available.
Travel apps are also gaining popularity among travelers. Studies show that travelers prefer apps because they find them more convenient for booking travel due to their ease of use, extra features, and price notifications. As a result, many travel companies now offer special discounts and promotions that are only available through their mobile apps.
In recent years, the rise of mobile technology has profoundly impacted the travel industry. With the widespread use of smartphones and tablets, travelers increasingly turn to travel apps for a more streamlined booking experience. Travel apps offer a convenient way for travelers to book their trips on the go, from anywhere, and at any time.
These apps offer a range of features that make booking travel more accessible and more convenient. They typically provide easy-to-use interfaces that allow travelers to search for flights, hotels, and other travel services with just a few taps. Many apps also offer personalized recommendations based on a traveler’s previous booking history and preferences.
Another significant advantage of travel apps is receiving real-time notifications and alerts about price drops and promotions. This can save travelers the necessary money and make their trips more affordable.
In response to this trend, travel companies now offer exclusive deals and promotions that can only be accessed through mobile apps. These offers can include discounts on flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services.
The rise of travel apps has transformed how travelers book their trips. With the convenience and flexibility offered by these apps, it is no surprise that they are gaining in popularity among travelers of all ages and backgrounds.
Several other trends are shaping the future of online travel bookings, such as non-GDS content, artificial intelligence, data-oriented search, live customer support, and the integration of visuals.
If you’re interested in taking advantage of these trends, you can hire a travel portal developer to create a website or app incorporating the latest technologies. At Chetu, we have world-class developers with extensive experience in website development and travel apps. We can offer personalized solutions to guide you to success.
Conclusion
Online booking systems offer travel businesses many benefits, including 24/7 availability, reduced workload, increased customer satisfaction, additional revenue streams, and timely payment. When building a travel booking system, it is essential to consider the needs of both the business and the customers. The system should provide all primary booking functions and offer additional features such as promo codes, guest loyalty points, and special rates for specific inventory. With the rise of mobile technology, travel apps are becoming increasingly popular, offering travelers personalized recommendations, real-time notifications, and exclusive deals. Other trends shaping the future of online travel bookings include non-GDS content, artificial intelligence, data-oriented search, live customer support, and the integration of visuals.
