An existing travel itinerary in PDF or Word already contains almost all the information needed for a personal customer app — upload it to create a modern travel experience in just a few minutes, with no duplicate work. Flights, hotels, routes, dates and activities are already included in the itinerary that every travel agency prepares today. This article explains step by step how travel agents can make the conversion and what the customer can use the app for.
What is already included in a traditional travel itinerary?
The starting point is already there. A typical itinerary contains:
- customer details;
- travel dates;
- flights;
- hotels;
- transfers;
- hire car;
- excursions;
- practical arrangements.
Why is a PDF on its own no longer enough?
A PDF remains useful as a reference document, but it has limitations while travelling:
- difficult to read on a phone screen;
- information is spread across multiple pages;
- not interactive;
- no automatic updates, such as weather forecasts;
- no personalised tips for each day;
- not very appealing for daily use during the trip.
How is a travel itinerary turned into a travel app?
The process consists of five steps and takes just a few minutes:
1. Upload the existing itinerary
PDF or Word, exactly as it is already sent to the customer. No new format, no template.
2. The travel structure is recognised
The travel dates, locations, accommodation, planned activities and route are automatically extracted from the itinerary.
3. The content is enhanced
The itinerary is enriched with explanations for each day of the trip, photos, nearby activities, information about the accommodation, weather for each location and language assistance.
4. The travel agent reviews and adjusts it
The agent remains the final editor: they can amend texts, add their own tips, adjust photos, enable or disable sections and add personal recommendations. Nothing is sent to the customer without approval.
5. The app is shared with the customer
Via a personal link or QR code sent by email. The customer opens the app straight away in their browser and can add it to their phone's home screen if they wish — no app store or installation required.
Does this mean duplicate work for the travel agent?
No — that is the key point. The existing itinerary remains the starting point; the travel agent does not have to enter anything again in a second system. The work that has already been done — preparing the itinerary — is reused, while the agent's own additions are limited to whatever they choose: tips, highlights and checking.
Which features can the customer use?
The travel app gives the customer, among other things:
- daily itinerary;
- hotel information;
- activities and tips;
- weather for each accommodation location;
- language assistance;
- optional currency assistance;
- offline access;
- the travel agent's own tips.
The full overview, including examples, can be found on the features page.
Can the app match the travel agency's brand identity?
Yes — the app features the travel agency's logo and colours and prominently displays its name ("Presented by …"). The agent's own recommendations and the post-trip sign-off are branded too: the customer associates the entire travel experience with the agency.
What does a personal travel app deliver?
For the customer: convenience, clarity, inspiration and less searching. For the travel agency: visible added value compared with booking online, stronger branding throughout the trip, fewer practical questions and greater customer loyalty. You can read why the customer experience is so commercially important in Booking is only the beginning of the customer experience.
Use the travel itinerary you already prepare and turn it into a personal travel app. Try the simulator to see within two minutes how your customer experiences it, or get in touch.