Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008 - (Page 19)

FOR THE AGENT key factor. “There also should be a ‘Call Me Now’ button on the agent site for instant access to that agent.” A Better Book Yeates says it’s the booking process itself that may need the biggest technological improvement in the coming years. “We’re getting away from online purchases somewhat because a number of travelers are getting frustrated with the process,” she says. “If you try and book a cruise through the booking engine, 50 percent of the time you’ll run into an error. It’s confusing because there [are] so many structures of how the cruises are priced, so there’s not one straightforward price. If I’m looking for this particular cabin, it doesn’t account for the adjustments of the customer living in a certain state, or regional rates and senior rates. An agent finds it complex to shuffle through 10 to 20 rate codes to find the best price. Agents want it simple—not more training.” Trip Davis, president of TRX (www.trx. com), an Atlanta-based travel technology company, says tech improvements will be coming in the next few years for consistent processing on both the back end and front end. “Each office has a different environment based on different software and hardware, and you’ll see a dedicated focus on tech standardization that’s more efficient and web-based for agents,” he says, and adds that high-speed Internet access can let an agent accomplish more from home. “That can include the availability to do the ticketing activities, use Voice Over IP for phone integration and have a better availability of product sets and services,” he says. “As suppliers like airlines and hotels sell more directly to consumers, those transactions that go through an agent yield higher revenue for a supplier even though there may be higher distribution costs.” Web services allow suppliers’ booking widgets to many more agents, says Davis, but he insists it will be on the agents to facilitate these relationships. “Home-based agents can operate globally and can interact in multiple channels, whether through Skype or instant messaging,” he says. “They need to use posting and text messaging to totally transform customer interactions…The more you put yourself out there, the more chances you have to score a customer.” — Eric Butterman WE’VE WON ‘BEST CARIBBEAN SPA’ SO WHY DON’T WE CALL OURSELVES A SPA? The BodyHoliday in St. Lucia is the first resort in the world to combine all the pleasure of an active beach vacation with body treats designed to relax and revitalise body and mind. It’s the ultimate R&R antidote to the fast pace of life today. Forty acres of tropical gardens on a stunning beach provide everything our guests need to get themselves into ideal physical and mental balance. A spa that has been named ‘Best In The Caribbean’ three years running offers a complete holistic programme of rejuvenation. This is complemented with land and sea sports, including golf on a championship course where we pay the green fees. Four restaurants, including the fabled TAO, show the way to temptation. Accommodation is truly first class. We promise to make your clients feel more beautiful and more alive than ever before. To find out more call 1 800 544 2883. THREE YEARS RUNNING. the bodyholiday www.thebodyholiday.com LeSPORT THE WORLD’S FIRST WELLNESS HOLIDAY. O CTO B ER 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 19 http://www.trx.com http://www.trx.com http://www.thebodyholiday.com http://www.thebodyholiday.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008

Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008 Contents Editor’s Note Publisher’s Note Your Lifeline Agent Profile New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Charging Fees Cover Story: Divers’ Destinations For the Traveler - Cruise - Groups For the Agent - Cruise - Groups Top Hotels in Italy For the Traveler - Destinations - China For the Agent - Destinations - China For the Traveler - Destinations - Caribbean For the Agent - Destinations - Caribbean For the Traveler - Destinations -Las Vegas For the Agent - Destinations - Las Vegas Home-Based Agent Expo New Products

Home Based Travel Agent - October 2008

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