Virtually engaging agents
Expedia TAAP will conduct a webinar for the travel trade on February 26, 2021 at 11:30 am, aimed at educating agents and tour operators on its offerings and also to ‘help put money in their pockets’. Ramesh Marwah, Group CEO & Director, Dex Group, India G
Please tell us about the upcoming webinar of Expedia TAAP. As GSA for Expedia Travel Agents Affiliate Programme (ETAAP) in India, it is part of our on-going endeavour to reach out to our trade partners. With an all-round improvement in travellers’ confidence, this indeed is the best time to re-connect with the industry. Through the webinar, we would like to apprise travel advisors - our partners in trade - on updates, developments and opportunities at ETAAP that will benefit them via volumes and growth. Also, we will share how increasing access to ETAAP’s inventory will help ‘put more money in the pockets’ of our partners.
How was 2020 for Expedia TAAP and what is the outlook for 2021?
Year 2020 has been very challenging for the entire industry globally, and we are no exception. However, things did start improving in Q4, which registered a 300%+ growth over the previous quarter in 2020. We are very optimistic that this trend will continue, and our bookings will be back to pre-COVID numbers by Q3 or Q4 this year.
How have products and services been innovated on?
To help traveller’s confidence, we are ensuring that our suppliers
clearly display advisories related to travel restrictions; quarantine rules; social distancing measures; hand sanitiser, gloves and masks; and contactless check-in and check-out at their properties. We provide flexible cancellation policies that allow our partners to cancel or amend bookings with ease, ensure back-up and on-ground services to travel agents pre and post booking. Also, we display the hygiene level of each hotel in our search results, so that travellers can make an informed choice.
What can your partners look forward to?
Expedia has made package rates available to all its partners earlier available only to agents above Silver Category
ETAAP will continue to offer opportunities for travel advisors to revive their business and earnings. Expedia has made package rates available to all its partners earlier available only to agents above Silver Category. This is being done to help our agents earn up to an average 20% discount on accommodation.