FCM Travel’s Post

❄ Travel agents start the year strong with Expedia TAAP January sale ❄ Agents unlock discounted rates on thousands of hotels in trending destinations   To kick off the year, Expedia Group has announced its 2024 January Expedia TAAP sales event, having negotiated at least 25% off thousands of hotels globally. This special offer applies to bookings made from January 3 to January 31, 2024, and are valid for travel until August 31, 2024.*   Expedia TAAP works with over 100,000 travel agents globally, offering a wide-ranging inventory that includes more than three million properties, 220,000 activities, 120 car rentals, and 500 airlines. Travel agents benefit from a suite of Expedia Group technology and tools, such as a Virtual Agent for self-service, quick information retrieval, and booking modifications, as well as Live Agent Chat, connecting them with experienced agents for detailed assistance and decision-making support. This January sale is the ideal opportunity for travel agents to drive bookings, boost sales, and earn commission at the start of the year. They can even take advantage of free eye-catching marketing assets designed to grab the customer’s attention. *terms and conditions apply #expediagroup #expediataap #discovertheworldswitzerland  #discovertheworld

TBO Tek Ltd Subscribe IPO Note PRICE RANGE : Rs. 875 - Rs. 920 Leading Global Travel Distribution Platform TBO Tek Ltd (TTL) is a B2B travel distribution platform that simplifies travel bookings for suppliers (hotels, airlines, car rentals, etc.) and buyers (travel agencies, independent travel advisors) through their two-sided technology platform. Founded in 2006, they operate in over 100 countries, offering a wide range of travel inventory, multi-currency support, and streamlining transactions between buyers and suppliers on their platform. The company has an established market position in the airline ticketing segment and the hotel segment. It currently services over 20,000 travel agents and has tie-ups with more than 7 lakh hotels across the globe The global travel market is projected to grow to $2.6 trillion by 2027 from $1.9 trillion in 2023, with an 8.2% CAGR. Factors driving this growth include flexible work options, staycations, social media impact on travel discovery, and rising incomes in emerging economies. TTL's platform boasts a high buyer retention rate, with 37% of buyers onboarded in FY17 continuing to transact with TTL in FY23, alongside a growing share of wallet indicated by the GTV per buyer of FY17 increasing by 5.3x in FY23. The company's revenue surged from ₹142cr in FY21 to ₹1,065cr in FY23, marking a CAGR of 174% and highlighting a strong market presence and customer base expansion. In FY23, TTL has shown robust financial growth, with its Profit After Tax (PAT) increasing by 340% YoY to Rs 148.5cr, while revenue from operations surged by 120% to Rs 1,064.6cr compared to the previous year. At the upper price band of ₹920, TTL is available at a P/E ratio of 49x (based on FY24 EPS annualized), which seems to be reasonably priced. Given robust recovery in travel and tourism industry worldwide, TTL is strategically positioned to bridge the gap in a fragmented market along with organic and inorganic growth strategies. The Company has an asset light business model with a scalable platform and strong financials, we assign a "Subscribe" rating on a long-term basis.

The recent acquisition of Direct Travel by investors led by Steve Singh, as commented on in this Company Dime article, further illuminates concerns we have for the industry. I cover those here in my Op-ed for The Beat: https://lnkd.in/dxjbz2jx This Company Dime article quotes an industry insider saying, “They are very much in the middle of the supplier economics game. So to say they're not earning money on share-based agreements or GDS incentive fees doesn't mean they are a neutral technology in the same way a Concur Travel might be much more neutral.” This move by purchasers of Direct Travel, who also own Spotnana, exemplifies the very trend I highlighted: the party trusted to present search results for travel is now the same party incentivized by suppliers to potentially bias those results. As an industry, we need to both prepare to pay more for services to reduce pressure on this potential conflict, and simultaneously demand transparency. At Bid Logic Solutions, we are committed to working with our customers to navigate these evolving challenges with integrity. Our goal is to ensure that managed travel programs remain a trusted and valuable tool for organizations worldwide. To do this we will continue to advocate for reasonable compensation for service and technology providers, while demanding greater transparency across the supplier ecosystem. https://lnkd.in/gnB42SPP

How Small Travel Decisions Can Make or Break Your Plans! Emphasising the importance of using experienced professionals and businesses, especially when it comes to critical matters like travel arrangements. We would like to illustrate how seemingly small decisions, like booking through an online portal versus a specialized service, can have significant consequences. Recently we had booked business class tickets for a client who was travelling to USA. The value of the ticket was close to INR 500,000/-. The client chose to book one ticket through an online portal, while booking the other through us. Unfortunately the clients travel plans changed and they had to cancel their tour.   Here is where the difference comes into the picture. The ticket booked on the online portal was fully non refundable !!! My client lost INR 500,000/- ! Ticket booked by us was refundable. Here are some key points 1. Value of Expertise: Just as you trust professionals like accountants, carpenters, plumbers, and designers for their expertise, the same principle applies to travel agents. Their experience and knowledge can help navigate complex situations and ensure the best outcomes for clients. 2.Understanding Terms and Conditions: It's crucial for consumers to carefully read and understand the terms and conditions, especially when booking through online portals. The difference in refund policies between the online portal and your service illustrates this point clearly. 3.Customer Service: Smaller companies often prioritize customer satisfaction more than larger online portals. A single negative review can significantly impact their reputation, prompting them to go above and beyond to rectify any issues and ensure a positive experience for their clients. 4.Awareness of Risks: While online portals may offer convenience and seemingly lower prices, there are inherent risks involved, such as non-refundable bookings or unfavorable terms. Trusting experts can mitigate these risks and provide peace of mind. Our insights serve as a reminder to consumers to weigh the pros and cons carefully before making decisions, especially when it comes to high-value transactions like travel bookings. #TravelSmart #ExpertiseMatters #travelagent #travelers #consultingsolutions #skillsmatter #travelindustry

SUNRATE Launches New White Paper for Travel Intermediaries at Travel Tech Asia 2024 #B2BTravelPayments #CrossBorderPayments #TravelTech #PaymentSolutions #RegulatoryCompliance #FinancialSecurity #WhitePaperInsights

𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙞𝙩 𝙤𝙣 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣𝙚𝙧? Let’s do the maths on this. As travel business owners or travel agents maximising profits is key to our success. You will often see us harping on about the fact that as a PTS member, our platform allows you to keep 100% of your profits/commission, as opposed to giving a hefty chunk away to whatever consortia or company you are working with currently. So, let’s give you an example of a typical booking. To simplify things, let's use an accommodation-only booking for a family of 4 to a value of £5000. Let’s base it on the fact that the supplier is offering you a 15% commission on that booking. Most consortia or companies will probably take around 10-40% of your profit, so in this example, we will say 30% you will have to pay them. £5000 x 15% = £750 profit. £750 x 30% = £225. This you will have to minus from your profits on the booking leaving you with £525 plus and other fees you may incur. At PTS we do not take a percentage of your commission. You would pay small transaction fees when money goes in and out of trust. So, a £5000 booking made with PTS would be – £750 (commission on your booking) The transaction fee would work out for this booking £37.26 giving you a total profit cost to you of £712.74. This will allow you to earn £187.74 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 on the booking as a PTS member. Let’s say you did 10 of these bookings a year. That would work out at £1877.40 extra in profit to you. Whether you are booking flights and accommodation separately (dynamic packaging), a third-party tour operator booking, or an accommodation-only booking, the same principle will work, the increase in profit over a month or year will leave you with a huge increase in profits for your business. No brainer, right? For more information about how PTS can help you grow your business and increase your profit margins, why not contact one of our friendly team today at 0207 190 9988 or email ask@protectedtrustservices.com #travel #travelagents #travelentrepeneur #travelbusiness #entrepenuer #pts

I’m very pleased to announce our Annual Results for the 12 months ended 31 October 2023 (“FY23”) as well as a trading update for the first six months of the new financial year (‘H124’, being the period from November 1st 2023 to 30th April 2024). FY23 was another record year for Travel Counsellors as we delivered growth and strategic progress for the future across the business. This positive outcome is once again a firm demonstration of the strength of our strategy, tech platform and people, underpinned by the record number of customers who trusted Travel Counsellors with their leisure and corporate travel needs. Our strong momentum has continued into the first six months of the current financial year with strong further double digit TTV growth. These results are a reflection of the hard work, commitment and care shown across the Travel Counsellors community during the year. The dedication and relentless customer focus of our community, which comprises both our own employed support team and our growing network of more than 2,000 Travel Counsellors, in combination with the strengths of our size, buying power, tech and asset-light business model, has enabled the company to further capitalise on the continued growth in the global travel market. Despite our transformational growth trajectory, maintaining our five-star Trustpilot rating is a strong testament to our customer-first culture that runs through everything we do as well as the investments we continue to make in our outstanding technology platform that is central to the world-class service delivered by our growing network of Travel Counsellors. We were delighted to welcome over 300 new travel entrepreneurs into our community over the past 12 months. I am extremely confident that underpinned by continuous investment in developing our proprietary technology we are exceptionally well placed to further build on our significant growth over the coming years. We are focused on continuing to disrupt the travel market through superb, personalised service and our scalable, relevant, and differentiated business model. #travelcounsellors #community #growth #travelindustrynews #travel https://lnkd.in/erUUe9jA

For both aspiring and established travel agents, the primary objective that guides their operations is the maximization of profits. However, the challenge lies in attaining this goal without compromising the quality of service provided or the satisfaction of clients. In this context, we aim to introduce advanced strategies that have the potential to significantly enhance profit margins while concurrently optimizing the overall operations of your travel agency. Navigating the competitive landscape of the travel industry requires a nuanced approach to profitability. This involves adopting innovative strategies that go beyond conventional methods, addressing the delicate balance between financial success and client satisfaction. The insights shared in this discourse delve into advanced techniques tailored for travel agents, offering a roadmap to not only augment profit margins but also streamline the operational efficiency of your agency. From leveraging cutting-edge technologies to implementing data-driven decision-making processes, these strategies aim to propel your travel agency towards a realm where financial success harmoniously coexists with exceptional service quality. As you delve into these advanced strategies, envision a transformative journey where your travel agency achieves new heights of profitability without compromising the core values of customer satisfaction. The principles shared in this discourse are designed to empower you, whether you are embarking on a new venture or seeking ways to refine existing operations. By embracing these advanced strategies, you position your travel agency on a trajectory that fuses financial success with elevated service standards, ensuring a robust and sustainable presence in the dynamic and competitive landscape of the travel industry. Keep on reading: https://lnkd.in/grbCYhrA #TravelBlog #Blog #GatewayTravelAgents #GatewayTravel #TravelAgents #TravelHost

FCM Travel's parent company, Flight Centre Travel Group, delivered its fiscal half-year financial results statement (July 2023-December 2024), indicating its corporate brands are experiencing tremendous growth, especially the North American corporate division. Flight Centre Travel Group, The Americas President Charlene Leiss comments, "On the FCM side, we’ve continued to focus on our work on productive operations as we look to digitalize our operating model to help lower costs and grow income. Our commitment to improving our productive operations will not only enhance our service offering, but also optimize efficiency and increase scalability." Read more about these results here: https://okt.to/xB9SUL #FCMTravel #FCTG #FlightCentreTravelGroup #BusinessTravel #CorporateTravel #TTV #HalfYearResults #TravelMarket #FinancialResults

Are you a CFO or Travel booker facing pressure to reduce travel spend and hooked on watching the data and applying endless pressure to your TMC for rate audits and justification of providing the lowest fares? You're doing it ALL wrong. You'll reduce your budget quickly by using an agent who considers all factors around why you're trying to reduce that budget and actually knows what they are doing. Forget the big corporate TMC's and platforms that push you to an online solution, they know you're too busy to really put focus on a 5% budget reduction. If you're booking important execs whose trips running smoothly can make or break an investment meeting, use a TMC who CARE about that element. I'll share something I added to a pitch recently; Securing Optimal Rates: We have directly negotiated rates with many of the top airlines which offer flexible rules that can come in handy if you have clients that change plans, or your schedule becomes clogged and you need to change your travel schedule. We’re members of the Advantage Travel Partnership (group buying) which allows us to compete with even the largest TMC’s on bottom line cost. This said most of the savings are made in the booking process with our team being sharp and ‘on-it’, we strategically hold seats and lock in rates as we quote, This proactive measure means we can secure accommodations and flights at their most favourable prices, avoiding last-minute surcharges that can impact your budget. 😍 #team #businesstravel #executiveassistant Your Travel Corporate