Ai Video: Using APIs to monetize trip experience beyond flights

First Published on 17th July, 2017

Travel e-commerce players, including airlines, hotels, intermediaries etc. are finding ways to connect and access inventory and sales systems via application programming interfaces (APIs). Increasing the average order value or targeting a traveller’s wallet via ancillary offerings is one area that is resulting in interesting initiatives. 

OTAs and even hotels and airlines etc. among suppliers, have access to a substantial base of travellers. Importantly they are the ones with an intent to travel. So how can these organisations scale up their revenues, propelled by APIs?

“There is an opportunity for airlines to personalise the trip based on valuable information they already have about passengers (age, destination, leisure or business etc.), especially related to their respective trips,” says travel technology provider BeMyGuest’s CEO Clement Wong. Referring to the company’s expertise in  excursions, activities and day tours, he said that each and every product is on meta-tag, whether it’s suitable for a small family or a romantic getaway or an adventurous trip etc. “We are able to provide of all this information within the API,” he said. “We help airlines and hotels monetize the post flight booking or post hotel booking phase/ customers.

In terms of efficiency that APIs bring in, Wong mentioned that hotels and airlines aren’t keen on integrating with multiple APIs. “That’s the last thing they want to do. Travel suppliers can integrate, but that’s not the most efficient use of their time,” he said. “What they are good at is selling to customers, the base they have, so why not focus on offering them the best flight experience, better hotel stay or local excursions. Our role is to streamline connectivity, rather than suppliers working on 10-20 connections for the content related to excursions, activities and day tours.”

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