Owning and operating a travel company successfully is far more difficult than the naked eye can see. A lot goes on behind the hosting and the organising of tour packages. There is so much one has to put into the enterprise – an entire administration apparatus, swift communication channels, and arduous business-related miscellaneous errands.
To be able to do all this well continuously is the only way you will see any credible return in the form of greater revenue flow into your agency. To achieve such an outcome, you will require the correct tour operator software in your arsenal.
It does not matter if you are busy upgrading your setup from a legacy system or looking forward to making the long-time pending transition from archaic manual operations. Even if you are considering your primary buy as the owner and operator of your novel travel business, you will do yourself a great service by studying the features of tour operator software you are willing to tap in.
What does Tour Operator Software do?
In the simplest of terms, tour operator software belongs to a family of computer software that enables travel agents to optimise and manage certain elements of their business. Usually, these software programmes cover a wide range of online solutions directly related to the chief tasks of a travel website.
From enabling potential customers to finalising bookings to tackling tedious back-office activities, tour operator software is extremely important for the smooth functioning of a travel enterprise.
Some of the central functions that tour operator software performs are as follows:
- They help in the upload and storage of customer-related information
- They enable the formation of travel itineraries
- This software makes online bookings possible
- They also ease the process of generating online purchases of travel services
- The software bridges the gap between the travel company and the client by removing intermediaries
- Travel operators get to see a clearer picture of where their finances stand in the long term
- The software supports the better management of bookings
- They can deal with back-office assignments at a faster and more efficient rate
- Tour operator software is adept at solving monotonous affairs
- They are also more suited to make healthy decisions adhering to data-based management procedures
- One of the highlights of tour operator software is that they are masters of ensuring higher ratios of customer satisfaction
- Being wholly computer generated, this software makes almost zero errors in the operational part of the business
In unison, all these aspects come together to create an environment that is highly conducive to the growth of your travel business.
We understand that not everyone in the highly competitive travel and tourism sector is wary of the pros and cons of buying tour operator software. To make things easier for all and sundry, we have made a list of ten vital questions that each one of you out there about making that critical purchase should know inside out.
Having a working knowledge of tour operator software will give you that edge over many others who are going from pillar to post seeking the best software for their travel agency.
Is a Demo Available?
Before making any crucial buying decision, always make sure that the tour operator software you are interested in has a demo option available or not. These days almost all software sellers provide free demonstrations to interested parties on request.
By choosing to go through a demo, you will be able to see first-hand how the software works, and if it will be a good choice for your outfit. So, make use of this novelty before taking a well-thought-out call.
How Many Features does the Platform Offer?
You must know about all the major features and prospects of the tour operator software before making any commitment to the seller. As there exist all sorts of software in the market, you must get an inside-out understanding of the software you are willing to bring in as the backbone of your whole enterprise.
Does a Free Version of the Software Exist?
Taking the plunge and purchasing a tour operator software that will eventually run the entire show in your office is a big step. Before doling out the cash, inquire as to whether the selected software has a free version. If the answer is positive, you can take a closer look at that.
Although free versions usually come with less number of features, they are still a good bet. Getting your hand on a free version and then doing a test run of the same will be a great idea. In case you are satisfied with the results, you can always go ahead and get the paid version.
How User-Friendly is the Software?
One more plus point in going for either a demo or a free version is that you will be able to test first-hand how easy the software is to use. You have to remember that there will be all sorts of clients visiting your system daily.
If your website becomes a place where searching for travel offers and packages gets tough for the not-so-tech-savvy people, chances are you will start losing potential clients. Hence, the tour operator software you are thinking of buying should also be easy to comprehend.
How Well is the Customer Service?
The rating of the software will also depend on how efficient of a customer service setup the seller has. Once you have purchased the product, you should not be facing any hurdles while trying to make contact with the customer support network of the software company. This is where you will be served well if you do some homework on the kind of customer support the software company is known to provide its customers.
Things to note down will include the time slots and availability of the customer support team, routes of communication when making attempts to reach out, and the presence of dedicated support teams in case of emergencies.
What Sort of Reviews has the Software Received?
One of the best avenues in getting a glimpse of what a product or service is worth is to check for the reviews associated with it. Online reviews have become a very powerful tool for gauging how well a product fares with customers.
When a person buys and then uses a product, they routinely put up reviews on public platforms such as Google for other people’s perusal. Past users can give a hands-on view of the pros and cons of a product, and that gives future buyers a solid opportunity to make better choices.
What do Client Testimonials say about the Product?
In a manner very similar to reviews, when you go through client testimonials, you get an unadulterated view of what previous users of the tour operator software have thought about the product. Testimonials can be a great way to get to know about the software’s potentialities and the scope of its real-world applications.
In case you come across a testimonial explaining in detail a case study related to the software, consider that an even better outcome for your search.
Is the Onboarding Process Comprehensive?
The process of transitioning from one business software to an entirely new one can be a daunting task for any travel operating outlet. You will hope that the change takes place effortlessly. To see to it that that happens, a robust onboarding support system becomes crucial.
How is the Software Priced?
Before making the purchase, make it a point that you know well how the software is priced. The most important thing to know will be whether the product is priced every month or if it needs a one-time annual down payment. Since the market gives several options to choose from, you need to ensure you know exactly how you will pay for what you are buying.
What are Your Future Plans?
The final question that is a must before your purchase will be to have a clear vision of where you see your company heading into the future. This is primarily because you should invest your money in a product that will securely aid you in your future business plans. A tour operator software enabling constant support during business expansion is the ideal companion in the long haul.
Pathfndr is a greatly regarded travel operating system that is powered by the latest advancement in Artificial Intelligence (AI). If you are wondering where to begin searching for the ideal tour operator software, then your search ends right here. Visit the Pathfndr website today and check out the friendly subscription offers that we have for you. Using the Pathfndr web portal you can build your travel site from scratch.
By joining hands with Pathfndr, you will be armoured to take on the expectations of contemporary tourists, who want nothing less than the best. Since clients will always want a first-rate online experience while going through your travel website, having Pathfndr by your side will take the pressure off of you. With Pathfndr, you will coolly deliver perfect online correspondence with your potential clients, and keep them for the long run.