Digitalization, demanding customers, and never-ending competition – these are the cornerstones of the modern business environment, which make every participant push the limits of improvement and perfection. The tourist industry makes no exception.
The travel sector has reached its prime benefiting both the service providers and the tourists. Yet, the other side of the coin is a constant need for improvement. A tourist-of-today doesn’t simply want to book the tickets and accommodation, but requires a convenient and unified environment (website/aggregator), which provides all the trip-related services from one place.
How is it possible to connect all the points of tourist services in one place, with instant updates of available resources? Many issues can be addressed with one single solution – a travel API. Let’s see how it works.
What Is Travel API?
API (Application Programming Interface) is an intermediary software that provides data retrieval from numerous accounts to a centralized platform and right to the users.
A travel API is a data aggregator that collects information about hotel reservations, airline tickets, rental services, transportation, and other related services, allowing travelers to book all the prerequisites from a single point of access instead of communicating with different websites.
The most common users of travel APIs:
- Travel agencies, as they need to work with volumes of travel-related data, which is always accessed through a single platform.
- Hotels, as they offer their guests a variety of activities (entertainment options) or transportation to book for a more comfortable stay.
- Airlines provide information about the flights and further commodities (accommodation, transportation), etc.
- Airports deal with flight information like boarding passes, gates, maps, booking, rentals, etc.
Put simply, the usage of travel API turns a single-service website into a travel-related hub with easily accessible services.
What Are The Benefits Of Travel API?
1.Streamlined data flow
The major advantage of travel API is the access it provides to an array of travel-focused services, and the ability to reflect on their dynamic changes. Once the customers book the spots, seats, or rooms, the system will instantly update the available options. Real-time visibility makes all the operations cost- and time-efficient.
2.Customer-friendly approach
Customers are extremely demanding, especially when considering time and comfort. With the APIs being implemented into the booking system, they get consolidated information from a single platform. Hence, instead of researching numerous sources and wasting time, they are offered a more efficient and time-saving solution with an end-to-end reservation flow.
3.‘Time to market’ speed increase
The usage of API significantly decreases the development and deployment time, as the integration of new applications doesn’t require a new code written from scratch. As a result, the functionality of the system gets extended without significant changes to its initial code.
4.Unlimited scalability
With the introduction of APIs, travel platforms can add as many travel solutions as they need, extending their range of services. Thus, every startup can grow into a well-established travel company, which can address any demand of the customer.
5.Profitability
API-enhanced travel websites can provide their customers with all the necessary services within a unified space. It improves the level of customer engagement and retention, allowing the core platform to get better monetization and traffic.
Moreover, all the information flow and updates are performed automatically without the need to hire new employees.
How To Choose The Travel API?
There are quite a few solutions to consider, thus, it is important to opt for the one addressing all the needs.
Travel APIs share the same functionality, yet target different segments of travel-related data. Therefore, it is important to define the range of services to connect to (rentals, flights, accommodation, entertainment) and choose the APIs appropriately.
The value of the API service is its speed of data transition. When choosing the API provider, it’s important to ensure the accuracy of the information, and its instant update, as the delays lead to financial losses, booking disruption, and dissatisfied clients.
Before integrating travel APIs, it’s important to ensure their safety and efficiency with the websites already running them.
The efficiency of API and its integration is fully dependent on the skillset of the developers. Therefore, study the company’s profiles and learn their cases to get an idea of an overall performance.
The Final Thoughts
Travel APIs introduce a new level of efficiency to the travel industry. Once the travel-related website implements the API into its system, it turns into a comprehensive directory with all the tools and services the tourist might require. The websites propelled with API software create an all-inclusive environment, which elevates the customer experience, stimulates customer retention, and thus, improves business profitability.
If you are looking for a way to keep up with the competition in the travel industry, it is the right time to check on the API service and reap all the benefits it offers.
