5 minute read
A travel plugin can power up your travel website, adding clever features and tools to elevate your customers’ search and booking experience. And the best part, you don’t need to write a single line of code…
Sounds great doesn’t it. In this blog, we’ll get the lowdown on travel plugins and find out exactly why they are an essential piece of technology for today’s travel providers.
What Is A Travel Plugin?
A travel plugin is a smart little software add-on or extension that enhances the functionality of a travel website, browser or app. You can choose from lots of different types of travel plugin, each doing the job a little differently, but all with the same objective in mind – to enhance the features within a travel website.
It may be that your site needs a boost on the booking front – a travel plugin for booking can achieve just that. By adding a layer of smooth functionality to your booking page, clients can select dates, choose options and make reservations all in one place.
Or maybe you need a little help with tour management. Choosing a plugin to overlay the tour management process can organize, simplify, and create different packages and itineraries for your customers easily.
Travel plugins can be used for a variety of purposes, such as adding new options, improving performance, enhancing security or integrating with third-party services.
Enhance User Experience
Streamline Booking Process
Add Travel-Specific Features
How Do Travel Plugins Work?
A travel plugin is software that adds specific functionality to an existing program or web browser. It is designed to extend an application’s capabilities without actually changing the code. Travel plugins work by integrating with a host application through an API (Application Programming Interface). After the travel plugin software has been installed, users will typically see a new menu or options they can select from.
Types of Travel Plugin
There are many different types of travel plugins available. Travel plugins are designed to meet the needs of individual travel providers, and they can often be built around those needs by selecting different options to be incorporated.
Choosing the right travel plugin for your website or travel blog can mean the difference between a good user experience or a great user experience. A huge array of plugins are available, each performing a slightly different task or combination of tasks. So, what does your agency need from a travel plugin? The first thing to do is establish just that – what do you want your travel plugin to do?
Choose What Tasks To Give Your Travel Plugin
The best way to choose a travel plugin is to identify your objectives and consider what you need to improve on. Once you have a clear plan of what you want to achieve from a travel plugin, you can hit the market and explore the array of options available. Ask yourself some goal-identifying questions to help the process.
- Does the plugin handle tour bookings, accommodation, transport and other travel options?
- Does the plugin integrate with your existing payment gateways?
- Is the plugin designed to be used on mobile applications as well as browsers?
- How user-friendly is the interface?
- Does the plugin allow multilingual functionality?
- Does this solution offer pricing flexibility?
- How much does it cost, and is it a subscription-based fee or a one-off charge?
- Does the plugin create itineraries automatically?
- What level of customization does the plugin offer?
- What customer support is there?
- Is the software updated regularly?
- Will the plugin integrate with my API software?
There’s a lot to consider, but getting it right can really elevate your tour agency.
How A Travel Plugin Can Help
As a tour operator, one of the most important benefits of a travel plugin is the positive effect on customer experience. Through automated travel booking and streamlined website functionality, visitors to your site can conduct their travel transactions easily and in good time. Their efficient processing of travel arrangements will also reduce the time you spend on booking tasks, allowing you to offer deals and competitive prices. Software and technology is key in the travel industry. Check out the latest IT travel solutions in our handy Travel Agent Tools blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all plugins safe?
No. Installing third-party software always carries risk, but there are things you can do to ensure the plugin you’re downloading is genuine. Always buy from a reputable company, and research reviews and customer testimonials.
How do I install a travel plugin?
While the method of installing travel plugin software will vary depending on the developer, most will follow a similar route of downloading the software and following the instructions.
What is a travel booking tool?
A travel booking tool is an online platform that simplifies the process of arranging travel. It will often include a search and booking facility and a payment gateway.
Do all browsers support plugins?
Some browsers do not support plugins due to inherent security risks. Always check the compatibility of a travel plugin before you decide to purchase it.
