{"id":826,"date":"2019-05-20T09:31:05","date_gmt":"2019-05-20T09:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.indifi.com\/?p=826"},"modified":"2020-07-18T14:51:34","modified_gmt":"2020-07-18T14:51:34","slug":"5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Must-Dos For Travel Agents To Win The Race Against OTA Platforms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"460\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.indifi.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/5-Must-Dos-for-Travel-Agents-to-Win-the-Race-against-OTA-Platforms-460x300.jpg\" alt=\"5 Must-Dos for Travel Agents to Win the Race against OTA Platforms.jpg\" class=\"wp-image-827\"\/><figcaption><em>5 Must-Dos for Travel Agents to Win the Race against OTA Platforms.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite online travel agencies dominating the market today, there\u2019s another surprising yet strong contender in the race for market share. We are speaking about traditional travel agencies and independent travel agents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no arguing the fact that the last few years have been anything but tumultuous for traditional travel agents. The tech-savvy travelers of today began using OTAs to book their travel independently. However, recent data shows that there\u2019s a huge reversal of this trend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button aligncenter\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/travel-agency-financing-online-india\">Apply Loan For Travel Agency<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>According to an industry report, the number of people using traditional travel agents rose from 12% in 2013 to 19% in 2016. These numbers are predicted to grow as travel agencies refine their offerings, and travelers seek new experiences and services not provided by OTAs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a travel agent, you can compete and win the stiff competition offered by OTAs, if you know what to do and when to do. Here are a few ways you can make your travel agency thrive in the era of online bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#5_Must-Dos_For_Travel_Agents_To_Win_The_Race_Against_OTA_Platforms\" title=\"5 Must-Dos For Travel Agents To Win The Race Against OTA Platforms\">5 Must-Dos For Travel Agents To Win The Race Against OTA Platforms<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#1_Target_A_Particular_Niche\" title=\"1. Target A Particular Niche\">1. Target A Particular Niche<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#2_Provide_Customers_With_The_Best_Value_For_Their_Money\" title=\"2. Provide Customers With The Best Value For Their Money\">2. Provide Customers With The Best Value For Their Money<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#3_Upgrade_Your_Website_And_Work_On_SEO\" title=\"3. Upgrade Your Website And Work On SEO\">3. Upgrade Your Website And Work On SEO<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#4_Engage_With_Your_Target_Audience_Using_Blogs_And_Social_Networks\" title=\"4. Engage With Your Target Audience Using Blogs And Social Networks\">4. Engage With Your Target Audience Using Blogs And Social Networks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#5_Offer_Value-Added_Services_Like_Personalization_Unique_Experiences_And_more\" title=\"5. Offer Value-Added Services Like Personalization, Unique Experiences And more\">5. Offer Value-Added Services Like Personalization, Unique Experiences And more<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/5-must-dos-win-travel-agents-vs-ota\/#Innovate_And_Update_Your_Offerings_To_Stand_Out_From_OTAs\" title=\"Innovate And Update Your Offerings To Stand Out From OTAs\">Innovate And Update Your Offerings To Stand Out From OTAs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Must-Dos_For_Travel_Agents_To_Win_The_Race_Against_OTA_Platforms\"><\/span>5 Must-Dos For Travel Agents To Win The Race Against OTA Platforms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Target_A_Particular_Niche\"><\/span><strong>1.<\/strong> Target A Particular Niche<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Industry reports show that there is an increase in the demand for niche experiences. For instance, retired travellers prefer all-included luxury cruises, pilgrimage tours, while young families are on the lookout for family-friendly destinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Start by identifying your target audience and divide them into various niches. Then, refine and update your services to cater to the needs of various niche audiences. Here are a few audience niches that you can target: Millennials, corporate travelers, luxury travelers, solo travelers, female travelers, young families, senior travelers, pet-friendly travels and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Also Read:  <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.indifi.com\/the-top-5-trends-for-travel-agencies-to-implement-in-2019\/\">The Top 5 Trends for Travel Agencies To Implement In 2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Provide_Customers_With_The_Best_Value_For_Their_Money\"><\/span>2. Provide Customers With The Best Value For Their Money<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Though customers today can book several aspects of their travel itinerary on their own (hotels, flights, car rentals, activities, experiences), they are finding that it\u2019s often cheaper to use a travel agent. Travel agents can do all these \u2013 faster, better and most importantly cheaper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to market research by the ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), it was found that travelers were able to save an average of $452 per trip when they used a travel agent. So, make sure to highlight the savings you provide customers, in all your marketing efforts and increase your clientele.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Upgrade_Your_Website_And_Work_On_SEO\"><\/span>3. Upgrade Your Website And Work On SEO<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your website is the starting point for all client interactions. So, start by having a user-friendly, responsive and fast website. Include high-quality professional photographs and add proper functionality to make it easy to use and appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have got your website sorted out, the next step is to work on SEO. SEO techniques boost your organic rankings helping your agency get found online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.indifi.com\/5-reasons-for-travel-agencies-to-seek-business-loans\/\">5 Reasons For Travel Agencies To Seek Business Loans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Engage_With_Your_Target_Audience_Using_Blogs_And_Social_Networks\"><\/span>4. Engage With Your Target Audience Using Blogs And Social Networks<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Irrespective of whether your clients are planning their next vacation or just dreaming about it, they would love to read more about travel experiences, tourist hotspots, unique vacation spots and more. Create a blog and update with regular content related to the travel industry. You can even invite your previous customers to share their travel experiences on your blog via guest posts. Use your social media channels to provide customers with regular, relevant travel content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, you establish your brand as an authority in travel, getting your clients (existing and future) to trust you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Offer_Value-Added_Services_Like_Personalization_Unique_Experiences_And_more\"><\/span>5. Offer Value-Added Services Like Personalization, Unique Experiences And more<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Today\u2019s travellers want to venture off the beaten track. The majority of travellers today are no longer interested in visiting regular crowded tourist spots. They are looking for new and unique experiences not available elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To stand out from OTAs, refine your offering to provide customers with unique experiences. Local cooking classes, traditional handcraft making, food tours of local markets, guided walking tours \u2013 are some ways to attract customers with innovative experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-vivid-green-cyan-color\">Also Read:<a href=\"https:\/\/blog.indifi.com\/ai-the-next-big-game-changer-in-the-hospitality-industry-3f4e1b910fe0\/\">AI\u200a\u2014\u200aThe Next Big Game Changer In The Hospitality Industry\ufeff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Innovate_And_Update_Your_Offerings_To_Stand_Out_From_OTAs\"><\/span>Innovate And Update Your Offerings To Stand Out From OTAs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>To thrive in the era of stiff competition from OTAs, you need to refine and upgrade your services and offerings constantly. Renovate your premises, expand your presence, hire additional staff, implement the latest technology \u2013 to retain existing clients and win new clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a lack of funds is what\u2019s holding you back, then check out specialized<a href=\"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/travel-agency-financing-online-india\"> business loans for travel agencies<\/a> from digital lenders like Indifi. Easy availability, quick funding, and flexible repayment \u2013 use these loans to race ahead of your competition.<br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Despite online travel agencies dominating the market today, there\u2019s another surprising yet strong contender in the race for market share. We are speaking about traditional travel agencies and independent travel agents. There\u2019s no arguing the fact that the last few years have been anything but tumultuous for traditional travel agents. The tech-savvy travelers of today [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[187],"tags":[39,40,41],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/826"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=826"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/826\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3549,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/826\/revisions\/3549"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indifi.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}