A tour operator app is not always enough for an independent travel agency because it is built around the trips and products of a single tour operator. An independent travel agency’s app can bring the customer’s entire trip together, even when several suppliers are involved.
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What does a tour operator app do?
A tour operator app gives travellers information about a trip booked with that specific tour operator.
The app may include information such as:
- flight details;
- hotel information;
- transfers;
- travel documents;
- excursions;
- notifications during the trip.
That is useful for the traveller. However, the app remains linked to the tour operator’s offering and brand.
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What is the main disadvantage of a tour operator app for an independent travel agency?
The travel agency that advised the customer and sold the trip largely disappears from view during the journey.
During their holiday, the customer opens the app from TUI, Corendon or another supplier. There, they mainly see:
- the tour operator’s logo;
- the tour operator’s services;
- the tour operator’s excursions;
- communications from the tour operator.
As a result, the digital relationship during the trip mainly belongs to the supplier.
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Does a tour operator app show the entire trip?
Not necessarily. A trip may consist of different elements that do not all fall within a single tour operator’s offering.
- a flight from supplier A;
- a hotel from tour operator B;
- a hire car;
- a second hotel;
- activities booked independently;
- restaurant reservations;
- train connections;
- the travel agency’s own recommendations.
An app from a single tour operator is primarily designed for the elements included in its own offering. An independent travel agency, by contrast, looks at the trip as a whole.
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Will a tour operator app also recommend local events?
A tour operator can of course display local information, but its app is primarily linked to its own travel product and commercial ecosystem.
An independent travel agency can offer much broader advice. Is there an interesting local festival, market, exhibition or special event taking place during the stay? That can be valuable to the customer, even if the travel agency or tour operator does not earn anything from it.
The difference lies in the starting point: what can we sell, or what could make this customer’s trip better?
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Why can an independent travel agency combine different suppliers more effectively?
An independent travel agency is not limited to the app or offering of a single supplier. For a tailor-made trip, it can combine different elements.
- flights;
- different hotels;
- hire cars;
- transfers;
- excursions;
- its own activities;
- local recommendations.
This creates a single trip that does not necessarily fit within one tour operator’s digital ecosystem.
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Does your own travel app replace the tour operator app?
No, the two can exist alongside each other. A customer may still use the tour operator’s app for certain elements.
A travel agency’s app has a different purpose: bringing the entire trip together from the customer’s perspective. The tour operator app covers its product, while the travel agency’s app covers the trip.
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What is the difference between a tour operator app and TravelAppBuilder?
A tour operator app starts with the tour operator’s products. TravelAppBuilder starts with the specific trip booked by the customer.
With TravelAppBuilder, an independent travel agency can, among other things:
- bring different travel components together;
- keep its own agency visible;
- provide practical travel information;
- add its own recommendations;
- continue supporting the customer during the trip.
This gives the traveller not just a collection of bookings, but one central travel app.
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The key question: who manages the product and who supports the trip?
Tour operator apps are good at what they are designed to do: supporting their tour operator’s products. That is not the same as supporting a customer throughout their entire trip.
That is where the opportunity lies for independent travel agencies. The tour operator manages its product. You support the trip.
