From vetting supplier partners to choosing the right host agency or consortium, wading through the near-endless options for training and education, understanding your legal liabilities, developing your business and so much more, let's face it ... there's a lot to figure out.
So we've put together a starting list of 9 key tools and resources that all travel agents need to succeed., from travel management tools, to a powerful booking platform, and day-to-day resources. This naturally, not the only thing you'll need to get started, but it's our mission to provide an ongoing series of articles that help you navigate the competitive world of travel.
Make sure to bookmark this page and check our Resources Pages regularly for more useful guidance.
Alternatively, to jump-start your success, register your agency with Bedsonline today to maximise your earning potential, and work with a trusted travel partner, the first choice for thousands of agents around the world.
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One that puts you in control of your earnings.
A reliable travel booking platform is essential for effective operation and revenue generation! This essential piece of travel agent software enhances the client experience, encouraging repeat business, and helping you earn more.
This is where the Bedsonline Booking Engine comes in.
As a powerful and intuitive booking platform for travel agents, the Bedsonline Booking Engine offers flexibility to curate the travel experiences that your clients want.
and much more!
We built this tool based on our decades of experience understanding what it takes for agents to succeed in this ever-evolving industry. See how the Booking Engine is what you’re missing today!
A good customer relationship management (CRM) system is also crucial to consolidate client information, make tracking bookings and payments easier, and provide insights into traveler preferences, fostering customer loyalty.
Having this data at your fingertips gives you useful insights into each of your customers’ travel habits, interests and trip preferences, which in turn allows you to deliver more bespoke customer experience, the more history they build up with you as a traveller.
An itinerary management tool can streamline travel planning! A dedicated itinerary management tool lets you collate your travel planning, with simple itinerary management for your clients, automated quotes, proposals and more.
Of course, as a comprehensive platform, the Bedsonline Booking Engine is also the go-to booking platform for thousands of our agent partners all over the world, to curate tailored itineraries!
With its seamless cross-selling features, it’s easy for agents to combine accommodation with in-destination activities, experiences and even transfers and car hire, to offer itineraries that suit each clients’ unique needs.
Regardless of whether you’re working as an independent agent, or for a large-size business with many colleagues, you need to be as organised as possible. An online calendar-based tool allows you to more easily schedule and manage your appointments, including calls, consultations or demos.
You need a recommendation tool which offers bespoke travel and experience recommendations for your business, using:
For growth and booking opportunities specific to your needs, current market, and customer behaviours. Because we believe in empowering your success!
Look no further than Bedsonline! Your B2B travel marketplace, who:
But more than that, you need a travel partner you can trust. This is also where we come in.
Working with an experienced travel partner stands you in great stead in the industry, thanks to:
Discover more about why travel agents need a travel partner like Bedsonline here!
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Using dependable accounting software makes the process seamless and allows you to spend time on what matters – your clients.
When it comes to which travel agent tools for accounting you should choose, focus on tools that offer: detailed reports, easy-to-implement templates for better financial management, and ideally, software that integrates with your booking and payment platforms.
A few great accounting software providers include:
A travel marketing plan helps you to define the expectations for your business, understand your competitors, keep up with industry trends, reach the right customers at the right time, plan for growth, and more!
Discover our marketing plan for travel agencies: initial steps guide here for some key insights into the first stages of creating a marketing plan for your travel agency!
Benefit from timely, seasonal campaigns on a regular basis with Bedsonline – all you need to do is communicate these offers to your clients. Which is easily done thanks to our custom flyer tool integrated into our Booking Engine.
And when it comes to creating social media posts that generate awareness and engagement, there is naturally no ‘one-size-fits-all' recommendation – but taking a look through our guide on travel social media posts for engagement is a great place to start!
Being a travel agent is based in customer service as much as it is part entrepreneurial skills for homeworkers, as well as offer consultancy services to your clients, developing B2B business relationships with suppliers, and management responsibilities for agents who look after teams.
It’s a multi-faceted role, but from communicating with your clients effectively to understanding the shifting needs of travellers in new eras of travel to keep up to date with what today’s travellers want, making sure you level up your basic skills is key.
Your unique relationships with these businesses will shape your everyday work, from the amazing deals you can secure to the trustworthy suppliers who will help you exceed your clients' expectations.
Make sure to engage with initial and ongoing training to learn how to use their systems, and properly take advantage of their benefits. Be sure you choose to work with entities that offer exceptional customer care and tech support – as well as training for any new services or updates that come out!
However, when you work with a trusted travel partner – like Bedsonline – half of the work is done for you, with a global portfolio of 23,000+ in-destination activities and experiences, all offered by qualified providers.
When trips and experiences don't go as planned, it's important to have a safety net in place. That's where Errors and Omissions Insurance comes in! With this type of insurance, travel agents can have peace of mind knowing they are legally protected if something goes awry for their clients while they're away.
E&O insurance, also known as professional liability insurance, is a crucial protection for companies and professionals against claims of inadequate work or negligent actions.
If you’re not registered with a host agency, this is a key qualification to have! And if you’re looking to register for a host agency, then make sure to evaluate what credentials they have to pick the right host travel agency for you. Quite often, working with a travel partner also opens opportunities to further your education and gain qualifications!
Of course, this is by no means an exhaustive list, but a starting point from which you can grow your arsenal of tools and resources designed for travel management, marketing and more. Keep an eye on our Resources Page for more articles and resources of our own, designed to decode the travel industry and offer helpful advice for agents at all stages in their journey.
To take your business to the next level, register your travel agency for free today and begin your journey with a trusted travel partner like us at Bedsonline, the preferred partner of thousands of agents worldwide! Or, log in to your account to see what opportunities await.
Discover our Booking Engine today and see how it offers every tool you need as an agent in one platform!
And much more!
