It may be nearly three years since the pandemic transformed the travel landscape, but for many travel agencies and TMCs the market remains exceptionally challenging. 

In fact, for some firms the pressure is the highest it’s ever been. Challenges from post-Covid consumer wariness, the economic climate and increased schedule changes have been exacerbated by an ongoing shortage of talented individuals. 

This maelstrom of issues has led to an operation pinchpoint for many travel firms, who are now turning to technology and focusing on products and processes that can satisfy customers’ new needs and give them renewed confidence in the travel experience. It has become essential to make travel as easy as possible for customers. 

While it’s key to act quickly to efficiently manage the new, unpredictable world of travel, the winners will be those who take a long-term view to optimising their processes and systems. Sabre has been helping forward-thinking travel agencies achieve efficiency and productivity for decades and is committed to “making the future real” for its customers. 

So where should travel agencies start? The answer lies with personalisation and automation, which Sabre claims can save an average of 20 minutes of time on each booking, increasing efficiency by 20%. Here’s how: 

1. Pioneering personalisation 

Travellers are used to receiving a highly tailored experience when shopping, and they expect the same from their travel experiences. Travel agencies need to provide offers that are flexible, focus on a client’s specific preferences and provide increased value every step of the way.

This is where Sabre can help. Thinking beyond simple air and lodging bookings, Sabre has created a flexible, open platform for its partners, which delivers the broadest choice of market-aligned, bookable content. 

This next-generation technology is powered by machine learning, enabling travel agencies to create, sell and service intelligent, traveller-centric experiences. They provide the right offer, to the right customer, at the right time and price. Revenue is maximised, complexities are reduced and operational efficiency is improved, all while delivering an improved customer experience.

2. Innovative automation 

Automating processes saves valuable time and allows travel agencies and TMCs to eliminate up to 70% of irksome manual tasks that don’t generate revenue. Wins can be found by implementing effective dynamic pricing strategies, tracking customers’ actions during the booking process, and setting up quality control for reservations and policy compliance.

It’s become a necessity for those who want to remain competitive in a fast-changing market. And with the right tools, the gains that can be reaped from automation are huge. Sabre found booking times are completed on average 25% faster thanks to automated tasks. Firms can reduce operating costs and elevate the customer experience far above modern retail standards.

However, automation doesn’t work for every company, and it relies on businesses being ready. To implement a successful automation programme, Sabre believes travel providers need a reliable technology partner to examine their current business processes and provide the most suitable automation tools. Then comes further testing and gradual implementation. This collaboration will maximise the benefits that automation will have on the travel business, and its success.