Techtalks: Traveltech

About Traveltech

It’s overwhelming how much technology transforms the way we travel. Mobile check-ins increase customer satisfaction tenfold, content from travel brands helps travelers make a final decision about destinations, and the whole 83 percent of millennials don’t bother about personal data sharing as long as it gives them the desired personalization. AR tours, data-driven flight shopping, Alexa in hotel rooms – this is just the tip of the TravelTech iceberg. Here, on Techtalks, you can discover new opportunities for your travel business, ask about the integration of certain technology, and of course – help others by sharing your experiences and reviews. Let’s grow the TravelTech community together.
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anonymous

asked  Sep 18, 2023

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peter pentrum

answered  Aug 23, 2023

Hey Olexander,

Thanks for the quick response,

Currently, we're connected with Duffel as our supplier. They handle payments through an API connectio nand use a Top-Up (Balance) system with Stripe.

Our supplier currently is Duffel, we do have API connection with them, the way they handle the payment is using Top-Up to a balance inside their account using Stripe. This means when you book a flight or hotel through their API, the cost is deducted from your account balance. So, having enought funds in your balance is crucial before making an order.

They also offer "Duffel Payments", a service that lets you instantly top-up your balance. But, it reuired using Duffel as the Payment Service Provider via the "Duffel Component" on the client side. However, this isent the best fit for us, as we're looking for a more flexible PSP solution.

Given your explanation, I'm curious about their choice to use this method rather than offering delayed ticketing.

I'd appreciate your input on this. What do you think about switching providers, finding an instant payment PSP, or exploring loans as potential options?

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anonymous

asked  Jun 12, 2023

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anonymous

asked  Jun 6, 2023

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Vivek Garg

answered  Apr 28, 2023

Hi,

The following are some of the most dependable BNPL solutions for travel brands:

Affirm: Affirm is a well-known BNPL that provides travel financing for flights, hotels, and vacation packages. Their platform is simple to use and provides multiple payment periods with no hidden fees or penalties for early payment.

Uplift: Another BNPL supplier that specializes in travel financing is Uplift. They provide a choice of payment plans and may link with travel booking platforms to provide customers with a seamless payment experience.

Afterpay: Afterpay is a prominent BNPL supplier that operates in a number of nations. They provide multiple payment choices and are well-known for their user-friendly platform and great customer service.

Klarna: Another prominent BNPL supplier that provides flexible payment alternatives for travel bookings is Klarna. They are well-known for their straightforward payment method, which includes no hidden fees or interest costs.

Splitit is a BNPL supplier that allows consumers to divide their trip bookings into monthly payments using their existing credit cards. Customers who prefer to utilize their own credit cards and avoid incurring new debt may find this solution appealing.

Overall, these BNPL solutions are regarded as dependable options for travel companies; nevertheless, it is critical to assess each provider's prices, payment periods, and customer service to determine which one is the best fit for your company.

 

Have a nice day.

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Lela Deas

answered  Jul 25, 2023

As an expert in search engine optimization and copywriting, I can tell you that there are several travel APIs and affiliate programs that provide sustainability information for hotels, ground transportation, and tours and activities. These programs are designed to help travelers make environmentally conscious choices when planning their trips. Here are some of the top travel APIs and affiliate programs that provide sustainability information:

Booking.com: Booking.com has a "Sustainability" filter that allows travelers to search for eco-friendly hotels and accommodations. The site also provides information on each property's sustainability practices, such as energy-efficient lighting, recycling programs, and sustainable food options.

Expedia: Expedia has a "Green Program" that highlights hotels and accommodations that are environmentally friendly. The program includes information on each property's sustainability practices, such as energy-efficient appliances, recycling programs, and sustainable food options.

Viator: Viator offers a range of sustainable tours and activities that support local communities and promote sustainable tourism practices. The site also provides information on each tour's sustainability practices, such as reducing waste, supporting local businesses, and preserving natural resources.

Rentalcars.com: Rentalcars.com offers a range of eco-friendly car rental options that use hybrid or electric vehicles. The site also provides information on each rental company's sustainability practices, such as reducing emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.

By using these travel APIs and affiliate programs, travelers can make informed decisions and support sustainable tourism practices.

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anonymous

asked  Jan 18, 2023

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pmma poundy

answered  Aug 9, 2023

The process of connecting a booking engine with Expedia via API can vary in time and cost depending on multiple factors such as the complexity of the integration, the number of features required, and the availability of resources. Connecting to Expedia's API can be a complex task that requires technical expertise, so it's recommended to hire a professional developer or a development team to handle the integration.

The cost of connecting to Expedia's API can also vary depending on the scope of the project and the rates of the development team involved. It's important to keep in mind that there may be additional costs associated with maintaining the integration, such as ongoing support, updates, and bug fixes.

As for whether a deposit is required, this is something that would need to be discussed with Expedia directly. The terms and conditions of the integration may vary depending on the agreement reached between the booking engine and Expedia.

The process of connecting a booking engine with Expedia via API can be complex, time-consuming, and costly, and it's recommended to hire a professional developer or development team to handle the integration. The cost and terms of the integration would need to be discussed with Expedia directly.

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Mia Smith, Developer at TCS

answered  Aug 26, 2023

Hello,

As per my knowledge, you can follow these steps: To gather information for multiple travelers during booking using a loop, follow these steps: Create a data structure like an array to store traveler details. Set up a loop to prompt and collect data for each traveler using the Amadeus Node.js SDK. Store this data in the structure. Once all data is collected, use it to proceed with booking, utilizing the Amadeus SDK functions. This method ensures efficient recording of traveler information and seamless integration into the booking process. 

I hope this will help you.

 

Regards

Mia Smith

Trip.com

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Carlos Trennt

answered  May 14, 2023

Trip.com is a leading online travel agency that provides a one-stop travel booking service for users worldwide. It offers a wide range of travel products and services, including flight tickets, hotel bookings, vacation packages, car rentals, train tickets, and attraction tickets.
In addition to its online travel booking service, Trip.com also offers a range of travel-related content and resources, such as travel guides, reviews, and recommendations. It also operates a loyalty program called Trip Coins, which allows users to earn and redeem points for discounts on travel bookings.
So, Trip.com is a popular and reliable option for travelers looking to book their trips online. Its user-friendly platform and extensive range of travel products and services make it a convenient choice for planning and booking all aspects of travel.

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YT Converter

answered  Apr 2, 2023

Hi there! It's great to hear that you're looking to increase the direct channel share to your website and reduce your dependency on metasearch sites. Here are a few suggestions that may help you achieve your goal:

  1. Optimize your website: Make sure your website is user-friendly, easy to navigate, and provides all the necessary information that travelers are looking for. This will help to improve your website's search engine ranking and attract more organic traffic.

  2. Build a loyal customer base: Offer incentives to encourage customers to book directly on your website, such as loyalty programs, special discounts, or exclusive offers. This will help to build a loyal customer base that will return to your website for future bookings.

  3. Invest in digital marketing: Use targeted digital marketing campaigns to reach potential customers and promote your website. You can use paid search, social media advertising and email marketing to drive traffic to your website.

  4. Improve your SEO: Use search engine optimization (SEO) techniques to improve your website's visibility and ranking on search engines. This includes optimizing your website's content, meta tags, and backlinks.

  5. Partner with other travel websites: Collaborate with other travel websites and bloggers to promote your website and increase your reach. You can offer them commission or incentives for every booking that they refer to your website.

Overall, reducing your dependency on metasearch sites and increasing your direct channel share will take time and effort. By following these suggestions, you can attract more direct bookings to your website and improve your bottom line. Good luck!

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anonymous

asked  Dec 8, 2022

Airline Technology

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1answer
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Etraviax Technologies

answered  Apr 18, 2023

Setting up an airline and managing a scheduled operation involves a complex mix of IT systems and back-office technology to ensure smooth and efficient operations. Here's a list of basic airline IT requirements that need to be addressed:

  1. Reservation and Distribution System: Airline Reservation System enables the airline to manage bookings, pricing, inventory, and availability across various distribution channels (online, travel agencies, call centers).

  2. Departure Control System (DCS): This is responsible for passenger check-in, boarding, seat allocation, load control, and flight handling. It interfaces with reservation systems and helps manage the day-to-day operations of flights.

  3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System: Travel Booking CRM system helps the airline manage customer profiles, preferences, loyalty programs, and targeted marketing campaigns. It also enables the airline to track and analyze customer behavior and feedback.

  4. Flight Operations System: Flight Booking Softwsare helps in managing flight schedules, crew rosters, aircraft maintenance, route planning, and fuel optimization. It ensures efficient use of aircraft and resources, while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

  5. Revenue Management System: This system optimizes the pricing and allocation of seats based on historical and forecasted demand, ensuring maximum revenue generation. It also enables the airline to monitor competitor pricing and adjust its pricing strategies accordingly.

  6. Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) System: This system manages aircraft maintenance schedules, spare parts inventory, and regulatory compliance. It helps maintain high standards of aircraft safety and reliability.

  7. Crew Management System: This system ensures the efficient management of pilots and cabin crew, including scheduling, training, licensing, and payroll.

  8. Finance and Accounting System: This system helps in managing financial transactions, invoicing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting. It ensures accurate financial management and supports budgeting and forecasting.

  9. Human Resources (HR) Management System: This system manages employee data, payroll, benefits, training, and performance management, ensuring a well-managed and motivated workforce.

  10. Business Intelligence (BI) and Reporting System: A BI system helps the airline analyze data from various sources to make informed decisions and identify trends, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. It also supports regulatory reporting requirements.

  11. IT Infrastructure: Robust IT infrastructure, including hardware, software, networks, and data centers, is essential for hosting and supporting all the above systems. The airline must also invest in cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

  12. Integration and Interoperability: It is crucial to ensure that all these systems can communicate and exchange data seamlessly. Airlines need to invest in middleware or integration platforms that enable smooth data flow between various systems and third-party partners.

Setting up an airline requires investment in various IT systems and back-office technologies that facilitate efficient operations, customer management, revenue optimization, and regulatory compliance. This list provides a starting point, but each airline may have unique requirements depending on its business model and regional regulations.

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Olexander Kolisnykov, Editor at AltexSoft

answered  Nov 3, 2022

Hello, 

There are several options you can try.

1. The hard way is to contact Amadeus directly and ask whether they can help you partner with a flight consolidator and get an Enterprise partnership. Consolidators do have IATA ID and can ticket your flights via Amadeus. According to our experience, Amadeus support Middle East bookings for their Enterprise partners. If you manage to negotiate an Enterprise partnership, you can get API access. This may not work, because the Enterprise option is designed for businesses having IATA ID. But you may still try.

2. A simpler way is to contact consolidators directly. They have booking APIs and can ticket your flights. We had a positive experience with Mondee, so try contacting them. If Mondee doesn’t work, check other consolidators. Here’s our article with several consolidator options to consider. 

3. You may also check Travelfusion. They must have ticketing covered and you don’t necessarily need IATA ID. But you should check the Middle East coverage with them.

Let me know if that helps!

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Pankaj Sharma

asked  Oct 7, 2022

Hello Everyone,

I am planning to learn Salesforce Administration Certification, but I can't find the best modules for great learning.

I just know that Salesforce plays an enormous part in various businesses, thus investing in certified administrators can become a successful career platform for several applicants. 

Is there anyone help me to solve this problem?

Thanks,

Pankaj

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Olexander Kolisnykov, Editor at AltexSoft

answered  Oct 26, 2022

I’m sorry for the slow response. If you have IATA ID, you can try negotiating the Amadeus Enterprise partnership. It has wider API support across regions.

If you don’t, try contacting consolidators. We had a positive experience with Mondee. If Mondee doesn’t work, check other consolidators. Here’s our article with several consolidator options to consider. You may also check Travelfusion. They must have ticketing covered and you don’t necessarily need IATA ID. 

Let me know if that helps! 

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Olexander Kolisnykov, Editor at AltexSoft

answered  Oct 7, 2022

Hello,

Unfortunately, we haven’t heard of such a booking engine available on the market. Normally, you implement that filtering by price within your internal business logic. Similarly, you can hide prices on your side. 

 

To do that you must have API integration with your inventory suppliers and a booking engine that you can customize, either internal or white-label, given that a provider can help with customization. Let us know if you need further consultation. 

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Arul Prakash

asked  Sep 29, 2022

Which are the CRS/PMS/Channel Manager solutions which have both of these features:
1. Break/Merge stay (One booking into multiple nights or merge multiple bookings into one) API    AND
2. Name change APIs.

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Hasim Can

answered  Sep 25, 2023

Hi there! Saving multiple travelers' details during booking using loops in Amadeus can be tricky. Here are a few tips that may help:

  • Set up an array to store each traveler's information as you loop through and collect it. For example:
  • let travelers = [];

    for(let i = 0; i < numTravelers; i++) {
      let traveler = {
        firstName: /* get first name*/, 
        lastName: /* get last name*/,
        // other details  
      };

      travelers.push(traveler);
    }

  • When making the booking, loop through the travelers array and add each object to the booking payload.
  • To identify each traveler separately in the booking, use indexes like travelers[0]travelers[1] etc and attach an identifier like "id": "1".
  • After booking, save the travelers array to your database to persist the details.

The key points are structuring the data properly for the API, keeping track of indexes/IDs, and saving the array afterwards. Let me know if any part needs more clarification!

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Etraviax Technologies

answered  Jan 1, 2023

The top GDS integration for travel start-ups includes Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport. When choosing a GDS provider, it's important to consider factors such as cost, range of services, and level of support and training provided. You should also consider your business's specific needs and requirements and how the GDS provider can meet those needs.