The last two years have been very positive for travel agents as we have seen a re-emergence of many travellers once again looking to use a travel agent to handle their travel plans, as the internet gets more cluttered and overwhelming with information. This new trend has the travel industry for agents booming, and many are once again looking at the profession of being a travel specialist as a viable career option. However, travel agents cannot do the same thing they did back in the early 2000’s that almost caused a complete eradication of the travel agent career. To think that these multi-billion dollar companies are just going to sit back and lose billions to travel agents without trying to do something about it would be completely naive. Like us, they too are very aware of the trends and we best believe that they will do whatever necessary to keep the business. Also, there are non-travel tech gorillas that are now trying to get their piece of the 7 Trillion dollar industry. As travel agents, to ensure that you stay ahead of the game and remain valuable and relevant to potential clients, you need to be acutely aware of whom the different technology players are and how it can affect your business. Here are five things you travel agents will need to do to continue keeping up with or stay ahead of technology.
Get Familiar
Getting yourself familiar with travel technology and the latest trends in the travel industry will be the most important thing you will have to do. You need to know what’s already out there and how it’s being received by consumers, as well as, you will need to find out what’s coming and how it could impact the industry and ultimately your travel business. Artificial intelligence will play a pivotal role in every single consumer industry in 2017 and beyond. There are billions of people sharing their entire lives on the Internet daily, and companies are using this data to create algorithms that can personalize information sent to these potential buyers, based on what they are sharing about themselves. While technology may never be able to completely replace the customer service and flexibility a live person can provide in a buyers experience, it would be unwise and potentially detrimental to your business to completely ignore the elements of these new developments that consumers may be able to benefit from.
Integrate It
Resist technology, and you are most likely fighting a losing battle. Embrace it and integrate it into your business and you will increase your overall value and efficiency. Many of these mobile and web applications have information about your potential buyer that you don’t know. When a customer comes to you, in addition to your personal knowledge of the product, knowing very personal information about your potential client will only help you to serve that client better. By using the different social media platforms to research your customers, you will gain access to the same information that these algorithms are using. These apps can also be very useful research tools when putting packages together. As much as you think we know about a product, there is always something else or something new that you may not be aware of. Technology is now a big part of our personal and daily business lives. Your competitors will be using it, and if you wish to stay competitive, you will need to do the same.
Know The Strength And Weaknesses
Every piece of technology has incredible value in some areas and is extremely limited in others. Study the various consumer travel applications and know what they offer, how customers can benefit from these offerings, while also arming yourself with all the information you can about the shortcomings of these apps. A lot of the client leads you to get will come to you before or after doing some of their own research, using one or several of these platforms. You need to know what they are seeing so you can find your competitive angle. Knowledge will be your most powerful tool in your battle against technology, and the more you know, the better prepared you will be.
Find More Niches
The big companies like to go after the masses. They need to make billions of dollars to return a profit. The algorithms they create are usually tailored to customers looking to purchase the more standardized travel experiences. Not only because of the size or the market segment, but simplicity is way easier to program. As an individual travel agent, you do not need to make billions to be successful. You can find success by serving a very small market niche that caters to a particular set of clients. One way to stay ahead of technology is by continuing to find and learn about small travel niches that customers can’t find on the major online booking platforms. By doing this, you will always find your place and success in the travel market regardless of what these apps is doing.
Focus On The Human Elements
A Human being brings certain elements that technology will never be able to replace. These human elements mean something to many buyers and by using them in your marketing and overall approach to your business; you will always win over those clients that still prefer to connect with a person. Focus on relationships, service, and flexibility. No matter how much money these companies have to invest in databases, data mining and programming, they will never be able to turn an app into a person. This is why in 2017 and beyond, it will become even more important for your to connect with you clients on a personal level and establish that trust and loyalty. Pick up the phone to talk to them, send a thank you card, say happy birthday and help them solve complicated and unique travel problems. You will always beat the internet when it comes to clients looking for that human touch.
