Travel Agency Software

Overview

Travel agencies are businesses that specialize in selling travel-related products and services to customers. These products and services can include airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, and vacation packages. Travel agencies can be brick-and-mortar businesses or they can operate entirely online.

One of the key tools that travel agencies use to manage their operations and sell their products is travel agency software. This software can help travel agencies manage their inventory, process payments, and communicate with suppliers. It can also help them create and manage custom travel packages, track customer information, and market their services to potential clients. In this article, we will discuss the different types of travel agency software and their features. We will also explore the benefits and drawbacks of using this type of software for your travel agency.

 

Who uses Travel Agency Software?

Travel agency software is primarily used by travel agencies and tour operators. These businesses use the software to manage their operations and sell their products and services to customers. This includes managing inventory, such as airline tickets and hotel reservations, processing payments, and communicating with suppliers. The software can also be used to create and manage custom travel packages, track customer information, and market their services to potential clients.

Travel agency software can also be used by other businesses in the travel industry, such as airlines, hotels, and car rental companies. For example, airlines may use the software to manage their inventory of flights and seats, while hotels may use it to manage their inventory of rooms and rates.

Additionally, some travel management companies, corporate travel departments, and even concierge services may use travel agency software to manage their travel related services for their clients.

 

Benefits of Using Travel Agency Software

Using travel agency software can provide a number of benefits, including:

1. Streamlining bookings: The software allows travel agents to easily manage and track bookings, making the process more efficient and reducing the likelihood of errors.

2. Automating processes: Many tasks, such as sending confirmation emails and generating invoices, can be automated, freeing up time for agents to focus on other aspects of their job.

3. Centralized information: All customer information is stored in one place, making it easy for agents to access and update as needed.

4. Better inventory management: The software can help agents keep track of available flights, hotels, and rental cars, allowing them to quickly find options for customers.

5. Improved customer service: With all the customer’s travel details in one place, the agent can provide more personalized and efficient service.

6. Increased productivity: By automating manual tasks and streamlining processes, travel agency software can help agents handle more bookings and increase productivity.

7. Better reporting and analysis: Many travel agency software come with built-in reporting and analysis tools that can help managers understand the business performance and make informed decisions.

8. Online booking capabilities: Some software allows customers to book their own travel arrangements online, which can save time for both the customer and the agent.

 

Features of Travel Agency Software

Travel agency software typically includes a wide range of features to help agents manage and organize bookings, customer information, and inventory. Some common features include:

1. Booking management: Allows agents to search for and book flights, hotels, rental cars, and other travel arrangements, as well as manage and update existing bookings.

2. Customer relationship management (CRM): Enables agents to store and manage customer information, including contact details, preferences, and travel history.

3. Inventory management: Allows agents to view and update the availability of flights, hotels, and rental cars, as well as set up alerts for sold-out dates or low availability.

4. Financial management: Includes tools for generating invoices and reports, as well as tracking payments and commissions.

5. Automated emails and notifications: The software can automatically send confirmation emails and other notifications to customers and agents.

6. Reporting and analytics: Helps managers track the performance of the business and make data-driven decisions.

7. Mobile compatibility: Many software can be accessed from mobile devices, allowing agents to manage bookings and customer information while on the go.

8. Integrations: Some software can be integrated with other systems, such as accounting software, to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

9. API Integration: It can be integrated with other systems like GDS, OTA’s and other software to get the inventory, pricing and other details.

10. Online booking: Some software allows customers to book their own travel arrangements online, and also provide an online portal for agents to manage the bookings and customers.

 

Types of Travel Agency Software

There are several different types of travel agency software available, each with its own set of features and capabilities. Some common types include:

1. Global Distribution Systems (GDS): These software systems connect travel agents with airlines, hotels, and other suppliers to search for and book travel arrangements. Examples include Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo.

2. Computer Reservation Systems (CRS): These software systems are used by travel agencies to manage their own inventory and bookings. They may be connected to a GDS to access additional inventory and pricing.

3. Tour Operator Software: These software systems are specialized for managing tour packages, and can handle the creation, pricing, and marketing of tour packages.

4. Property Management Systems (PMS): These software systems are used by hotels and other accommodation providers to manage reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, and billing.

5. Travel Agency Management Systems: These software systems are designed to help travel agencies manage all aspects of their business, including bookings, customer information, inventory, financials and reporting.

6. Online Travel Agency (OTA): These software systems are used by online travel agencies (OTAs) to manage bookings, customer information, and inventory. They also provide a booking platform for customers to book their own travel arrangements online.

7. Corporate Travel Management: These software are specialized for managing corporate travel bookings and expenses, and can be integrated with other systems such as accounting software or expense management systems.

Each type of software will have its own strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice will depend on the specific needs of the agency. Some agencies might use a combination of different types of software to manage different aspects of their business.

 

Examples of Travel Agency Software

There are many travel agency software available in the market, Some examples of popular travel agency software include:

1. Sabre: A global distribution system (GDS) that provides travel agents with access to inventory from airlines, hotels, and other suppliers.

2. Amadeus: A global distribution system that provides travel agents with access to a wide range of travel inventory including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.

3. Galileo: A global distribution system that offers travel agents access to a wide range of travel inventory including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services.

4. Tourplan: A tour operator software that helps tour operators manage all aspects of their business from creating tour packages, pricing, and marketing to reservations and accounting.

5. Travelport: A travel agency management system that helps travel agencies manage bookings, customer information, inventory, financials, and reporting.

6. TravelCarma: A travel agency management system that provides travel agencies with a wide range of tools to manage their business, including inventory management, reservations, accounting, and reporting.

7. Oracle Hospitality: A property management system (PMS) that helps hotels and other accommodation providers manage reservations, guest check-ins and check-outs, and billing.

8. TravelgateX: A travel technology platform that provides travel agencies, tour operators and airlines with the tools to access and book travel inventory from different suppliers.

9. TRAMS: A software that provides Travel Agencies with tools for accounting, commission tracking, and reporting.

10. Expedia Group Partner Central: A platform that enables travel agents to access Expedia Group’s travel inventory, which includes flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, and book travel arrangements on behalf of their customers.

These are just a few examples and there are many other travel agency software available in the market, each with its own unique set of features and capabilities. It’s important to evaluate the specific needs of your agency and research different options to find the best software solution for your business.

 

Sabre vs Amadeus vs Galileo

Sabre, Amadeus, and Galileo are all global distribution systems (GDS) that provide travel agents with access to a wide range of travel inventory, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services. However, there are some key differences between the three systems:

1. Sabre: Sabre is the oldest GDS and it has a large user base in the Americas. It offers a wide range of travel inventory and provides travel agents with access to a number of value-added services such as fare rules, pricing and availability for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Sabre also provides a platform for travel agents to create and manage their own branded online booking engine.

2. Amadeus: Amadeus is the largest GDS and it has a significant user base in Europe, Middle East and Africa. It offers a wide range of travel inventory and has a strong focus on innovation and technology. Amadeus has a good coverage of low-cost airlines, and provides travel agents with access to a number of value-added services such as fare rules, pricing and availability for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Amadeus also provides a platform for travel agents to create and manage their own branded online booking engine.

3. Galileo: Galileo is owned by the Travelport company, which also owns Worldspan GDS. Galileo has a large user base in Asia and Australia, and also offers a wide range of travel inventory and provides travel agents with access to a number of value-added services such as fare rules, pricing and availability for flights, hotels, and rental cars. Galileo also provides a platform for travel agents to create and manage their own branded online booking engine.

Ultimately, the choice between Sabre, Amadeus, and Galileo will depend on the specific needs of your agency, as well as regional availability and pricing. Some agencies may use a combination of different GDSs to access the best inventory for their customers.

 

Tourplan vs Travelport

Tourplan and Travelport are both travel agency software, but they have different functions and features:

1. Tourplan: Tourplan is a tour operator software that helps tour operators manage all aspects of their business from creating tour packages, pricing, and marketing to reservations and accounting. It includes modules for itinerary building, inventory management, CRM, accounting, and reporting. This software is ideal for tour operators that organize and sell packaged tours.

2. Travelport: Travelport is a travel agency management system that helps travel agencies manage bookings, customer information, inventory, financials, and reporting. It includes modules for booking management, inventory management, CRM, financial management, and reporting. This software can be used by travel agencies that arrange and book travel components such as flights, hotels, and car rentals for their customers.

In summary, Tourplan is specialized for tour operators, while Travelport is more general-purpose software for travel agencies. However, both software can be customized and integrated with other systems to meet the specific needs of the agency.

 

Sabre Benefits & Features

Sabre is a global distribution system (GDS) that provides travel agents with access to a wide range of travel inventory, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services. Some benefits and features of Sabre include:

1. Large inventory: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a large inventory of flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel products from a wide range of suppliers.

2. Value-added services: Sabre provides access to value-added services such as fare rules, pricing and availability for flights, hotels, and rental cars, which can help agents find the best options for their customers.

3. User-friendly interface: Sabre has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for agents to search for and book travel arrangements.

4. Branded online booking engine: Sabre provides a platform for travel agents to create and manage their own branded online booking engine, which can be integrated into their own website.

5. Mobile access: Sabre can be accessed from mobile devices, allowing agents to manage bookings and customer information while on the go.

6. Global coverage: Sabre has a large user base in the Americas, and provides travel inventory and services from a wide range of suppliers worldwide

7. Reporting & Analysis: Sabre provides built-in reporting and analysis tools that can help managers understand the business performance and make informed decisions.

8. Integration: Sabre can be integrated with other systems, such as accounting software, to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

9. API Integration: Sabre can be integrated with other systems, such as OTA’s, to access and book travel inventory from different suppliers.

10. Pricing and Commission management: Sabre offers pricing and commission management tools to help travel agents manage their pricing and commission structure effectively.

 

Sabre Use Cases

Sabre is a global distribution system (GDS) that is used by travel agents and other travel companies to search for and book travel arrangements. Some common use cases for Sabre include:

1. Flight bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of flight inventory from various airlines, allowing them to search for and book flights for their customers.

2. Hotel bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of hotel inventory, allowing them to search for and book hotels for their customers.

3. Car rental bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of car rental inventory, allowing them to search for and book rental cars for their customers.

4. Vacation package bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of vacation package inventory, allowing them to search for and book packages that include flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

5. Corporate travel management: Sabre is widely used by corporate travel agencies to manage and book flights, hotels and car rentals for their corporate clients.

6. Online Travel Agency (OTA): Sabre can be used by online travel agencies (OTAs) to manage bookings, customer information, and inventory. They also provide a booking platform for customers to book their own travel arrangements online.

7. Tour operators: Sabre can be used by tour operators to manage and book flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements for their tour packages.

8. Wholesale Travel: Sabre can be used by wholesale travel companies to access and book travel inventory from different suppliers to resell to their customers.

9. Airline and travel management: Sabre is used by many airlines and travel management companies to manage their inventory, pricing and reservations.

Sabre provides a wide range of travel inventory and services, making it a useful tool for travel agents and other companies in the travel industry to find and book travel arrangements for their customers.

 

How to use Travel Agency Software

Sabre is a global distribution system (GDS) that is used by travel agents and other travel companies to search for and book travel arrangements. Some common use cases for Sabre include:

1. Flight bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of flight inventory from various airlines, allowing them to search for and book flights for their customers.

2. Hotel bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of hotel inventory, allowing them to search for and book hotels for their customers.

3. Car rental bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of car rental inventory, allowing them to search for and book rental cars for their customers.

4. Vacation package bookings: Sabre provides travel agents with access to a wide range of vacation package inventory, allowing them to search for and book packages that include flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

5. Corporate travel management: Sabre is widely used by corporate travel agencies to manage and book flights, hotels and car rentals for their corporate clients.

6. Online Travel Agency (OTA): Sabre can be used by online travel agencies (OTAs) to manage bookings, customer information, and inventory. They also provide a booking platform for customers to book their own travel arrangements online.

7. Tour operators: Sabre can be used by tour operators to manage and book flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements for their tour packages.

8. Wholesale Travel: Sabre can be used by wholesale travel companies to access and book travel inventory from different suppliers to resell to their customers.

9. Airline and travel management: Sabre is used by many airlines and travel management companies to manage their inventory, pricing and reservations.

Sabre provides a wide range of travel inventory and services, making it a useful tool for travel agents and other companies in the travel industry to find and book travel arrangements for their customers.

 

Travel Agency Software Drawbacks & Limitations

Travel agency software can provide a number of benefits, but it also has some drawbacks and limitations:

1. Cost: Travel agency software can be expensive to purchase or subscribe to, and the costs may be recurring. Some software also charge transaction or commission fees.

2. Learning curve: Some software can be complex to use and may require a significant investment of time and resources to train staff.

3. Integration: Some software may not integrate well with other systems that the agency is already using, such as accounting software, which can lead to added costs and inefficiencies.

4. Limited inventory: Some software may only provide access to a limited range of travel inventory, which can limit the options available to customers.

5. Limited reporting and analytics: Some software may not have advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, which can make it difficult for managers to track the performance of the business and make data-driven decisions.

6. Limited Customization: Some software have limited customization options, which may not be able to cater to the specific needs of the agency.

7. Technical Difficulties: Travel agency software may require regular maintenance and updates, and technical difficulties or bugs may occur, which can disrupt the agency’s operations.

8. Data security: Travel agency software stores a significant amount of sensitive customer data, so it is important to ensure that the software has robust security measures in place to protect this data from unauthorized access or breaches.

It’s important to carefully evaluate the potential drawbacks and limitations of any software before purchasing or subscribing to it, and to consider how they will impact the agency’s operations. Some of these limitations can be addressed by opting for more advanced and costlier software, or by finding software that can be integrated with other systems.

 

Conclusion