travel agency partners

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Travel Partners

Travel agent partners and preferred suppliers.

To give your clients the best experience, and make sure you get rewarded too, it’s important to be partnered with a host agency that has strong industry connections and access to leading travel agent partners.

With KHM Travel Group, you’ll be able to take advantage of these benefits from the day you join. Learn more about our industry connections and supplier relationships from our Vice President of Agent Engagement Bill.

As a part of your setup and enrollment process , we give you the information you need to log into travel agent-only supplier websites and booking engines. This is how you’ll research trips, find pricing, and book travel for your clients. When you get started, we’ll even register you for some of these travel agent-only sites, so don’t have to waste any time before diving in.

In addition to earning more money because of our high sales volume, our personal relationships with our Preferred Suppliers allows our agents to take part in:

• Incentive contests to win prizes and swag
• Invitations to private industry events
• Bonus commission offers
• Special FAM trip opportunities

The Preferred Suppliers below represent the majority of KHM Travel Agents’ bookings. In addition to our 40+ Preferred Suppliers, KHM Travel Agents have access to hundreds of other travel suppliers to ensure they can find a vacation that will truly wow their clients.

In addition to these suppliers, KHM Travel Group is also a member of the following  industry and professional organizations :

• IATAN – The International Airlines Travel Agent Network
• CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association
• ARC – Airlines Reporting Corporation
• Travel Leaders Network – Our Consortia
• TPOC – Travel Professionals of Color
• PATH – Professional Association of Travel Hosts
• ASTA – American Society of Travel Advisors
• Travel A.L.L.I.E.S. Society – Aligned *  Loyal *  Leaders *  Inspire *  Educate *  Support
• Better Business Bureau
• Northern Medina County Chamber Alliance

The Travel Institute

As the provider of the travel industry’s highest level of education, The Travel Institute offers a variety of educational and professional development opportunities including the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program. Through our partnership with The Travel Institute, our agents also have access to special pricing and benefits for all levels of experience.

Additionally, current KHM Travel Group agents can learn more about our partnership with The Travel Institute in the Agent Portal .

Learn more about our programs  here or call our  Membership Team at 1-888-611-1220  with any other questions you may have!

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It’s Your Travel Agency. We Help Make It Better.

#FiercelyForward

Since 1988 we’ve championed for the travel agency owner – making them as indispensable and relevant as ever. Welcome to our story of how an entrepreneur started a business to support other entrepreneurs.

No matter what stage of the game you’re in, we passionately guide you through the cluttered and isolating road of balancing working in your business and on your business.

Let us arm you with the vital tools needed to beat your competition like Profit-generating marketing programs, business building education & events, all-access pass to over 380+ Preferred Suppliers, and 5,000+ strong community of travel advisors that have your back. It’s your brand, business, and identity – let us help you build it so you can move, #FiercelyForward !

Why Become a Rockstar

We know exactly how hard-charging, passionate, and high-energy you are because you’re just like us. From the minute you pick up the phone to partner with us as your Host Travel Agency, you’ll experience the TPI difference. Not only will you get to talk to a human on the phone, but you’ll also receive:

• Unparalleled Support for All Areas of Your Business
• Exclusive Community Relationships with Fellow Go-Getter Rockstars
• Access to Over 380 Preferred Cruise, Land, Air, Tours, and All-Inclusive Suppliers and 1000’s of Others Through Our Already Established Account Relationships
• The Power to Double-Dip Into the Benefits Behind Our Top Ranking With Our Consortia Partner, Signature Travel Group

Where Should You Start?

No matter where you are in building your travel agency business, we’re ready to help you make your entrepreneurial dreams come true.

Brand New to the Biz

You’re a newbie, but that’s okay, we’ve all gotta start somewhere! If you’re new to the Biz, it means you have:

• No Training

New-ish to the Biz

Maybe you don’t have any bookings yet, but you’ve completed industry training and are ready to rock your business. If you’re new-ish, you’ve:

• Received Training
• Have No Sales

Experienced Agent

You know what you’re doing but want to make your travel agency business the best it can be. As an experienced agent, you:

• Are Trained and Ready
• Have Lots of Sales

Let's Get This Party Started

Get in touch.

Call us! Tammy, our Agent Relations Specialist, is ready to talk to you about where to start. She has guided thousands of brand-spankin’-new travel agents toward business success.

Get Your Training On

When you partner with us, you’ve got to get trained first. It’s not like you have to get your PhD, you just have to learn the travel basics. We’ll point you to some great training resources.

Become a Rockstar

Once you’re trained, you’re ready to rock! Our community of Rockstars, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled support ensures your success. Let’s hit the ground running together!

Let’s Have a Chat

We’re just on the other end of the phone line, ready to make you a Rockstar. You won’t talk to a computer, you’ll talk to our awesome Agent Relations Specialist, Tammy.

Choose Your Level

Not into commitment? No biggie. Each of our four levels of membership are month-to-month. You decide. It’s your business, we just help you build it.

As your Host Travel Agency, we give you access to incredible supplier opportunities, more commissions, tons of support, and a community of fellow hard-charging entrepreneurs. Go get it done!

Rockstar Success Stories

I started my career like many others, with big dreams and a passion for travel. I opened my business in 2010 as an independent agent — working on my own trying to take on the world. After finding a mentor in the industry, I was introduced to the idea of host agencies. I worked with several host agencies over the years, but joining TPI in 2012 was the best move for my business.

Steven Gould Goulds Travel

Partnering with the Best in the Biz

5,000+ Rockstars Have Partnered With Us

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MAST works for you! We focus on your needs, your branding, and your growth.

Agent login, mast travel network offers you the benefits and advice you need, find a travel agent near you.

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Why Choose a MAST Travel Advisor?

Saves you money.

MAST Travel Advisors have access  to the myriad of airfares, hotel rates, package tours, and cruise vacations worldwide and are Internet savvy. Accompanied by strong working relationships with travel suppliers, often the best deal lies with the people who know where to look.

Relationships & Clout

Advisors know how to interact with suppliers and have the  proper contacts to get things done.  Advisors have more buying power. Advisors offer value and amenities by providing inclusions or extras at no cost.

Experience & Knowledge

Popular travel destinations.

Search here for an agency that truly fits your unique travel needs!

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Knightly Tours

The mere mention of the destination means something different to every vacationer. When it comes to your dream vacation in Alaska you should work with the independent company that has been creating custom dream vacations for over 5 life5years. What is your idea, an Escorted Vacation, Self-Drive Vacation, or your idea brought to life.

Or Search by Travel Style:

Join MAST Travel Network

MAST works for you! We focus on your needs, your branding, your growth. We supply the tools to fulfill your marketing, networking, and training needs. Our emphasis is on growing your business and increasing your sales. As a MAST member agency, you share in our resources, our growth, and our supplier overrides go back to you!

Exceptional customer service requires skilled professionals. MAST offers a multi-faceted educational program from webinars to regional training to networking events. MAST makes it easy to stay informed and knowledgeable through the endless educational opportunities we offer our members.

Member Owned

MAST Travel Network is a member-owned and member-driven consortium composed of more than 200 travel agencies across the United States & Canada. Through exclusive agreements, partnerships, training, and support, MAST agencies have the tools to deliver an outstanding customer service experience every time.

MAST Preferred Suppliers

MAST Travel Network has relationships with select travel suppliers. These suppliers work with us and our member agencies to provide quality service, education, discounts, and commissions to our members. We have travel suppliers in categories that include:

Cruise Lines

Vacation Packages

Hotels & Resorts

Car Rentals

Air Suppliers

Specialty Suppliers

Tourist Board Partners

What Our Members Say

SOME KIND WORDS FROM OUR RESPECTED MEMBERS

Jennifer Wayland Island Bridal Travel

“ I had been in the industry for over 20 years and owned my own agency for 10 years. All along I had been searching for a consortium that didn’t just offer a lot of bells and whistles, but offered programs that my agency WOULD use and grow with. Then I discovered and joined MAST. Our agency is very active in MAST events, marketing, and programs. They are very beneficial to our success. MAST is all about communicating and working together for everyone’s benefit. All of the MAST staff, including and especially the President, communicate with us as a group and one-on-one as often as we request. “

Jennifer Walker, CTIE, VTA Jennifer Walker Travel

“ I was introduced to MAST by my host agency when we started in travel. When we moved to be an independent agency and host others I did not hesitate to register ourselves to stay. The staff treats each of us as family and have true integrity and honesty. They have wonderful relationships with the vendors, negotiate good commissions as well as provide great service to our agency. They make having close relationships and connections with the vendors as well as between agencies and the consortia itself easy. In addition to all of that, their training, assistance with business planning, marketing and events are top notch. “

Jeni Chaffer Journeys Travel, Inc.

“ Joining MAST is one of the best things to ever happen to my agency. I have been with other consortias where I was no more than a number. I was competing with large host agencies for any recognition not for sales awards but for any acknowledgment or recognition from Suppliers. MAST is respected by BDMs, agencies are acknowledged for what they bring to the table & everyone is treated equally. MAST is agent owned and operated too which makes all aspects from marketing to commission levels to decision making more personalized. “

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Phone: 630-889-9817 [email protected]

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How partnering with other travel businesses can help you drive tour bookings

By Rezdy — 24 Apr 2015

agent bookings   distribution   online bookings   partnerships

Like the world around us, the travel industry is incredibly interconnected – and for a good reason. Successful travel businesses capitalize on this fact by forging mutually beneficial partnerships in tourism with other businesses to reach new customers and drive bookings. It might seem contradictory to partner with the ‘competition’, but in actual fact, it’s an incredibly valuable form of marketing that can also be one of the main types of tourism distribution channels .

Here’s why tour operators and activity providers should focus on networking and developing business partnerships with others who are in the industry.

Why are business partnerships important in the travel industry?

Partnerships are important in all industries, but they play a particularly critical role in the tourism industry.

Business partnerships enable you to seek out new customers that you wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise. They also are a great way to actively support the local economy and other small businesses in the area. A destination in which travel businesses all work together ultimately creates a more tourist-friendly environment. This in turn actively contributes to a thriving tourism scene that is dedicated to enhancing the experience of tourists in the region and attracting more business.

Types of Tourism Partnerships: Examples To Consider

You might be surprised to learn that examples of partnerships in travel and tourism extend far beyond just travel agents. Local strategic partnerships can take almost any form and will ultimately depend on your unique context, personal connections, and business structure.

Here are 7 key travel and tourism partnership examples that every tour and activity business should carefully consider:

Travel agents

Offline agents were the original players in the travel game, making them fantastic travel and tourism partnership examples.

Concierges and retail travel agents used to be the only source of reliable information about a new destination. However, the internet has now changed the industry forever.

Now, concierges and retail agents are used all over the world to help personalize and customize travel itineraries.

By developing mutually-beneficial relationships with concierges and other offline agents, you can ensure that your tours and activities will be recommended to their guests and clients.

They are considered a trusted source of local knowledge, and your bookings will increase when they promote your business.

Online travel agents

When discussing valuable partnerships in the tourism industry examples, it’s impossible to not mention online travel agents. Developing a relationship with online agents, such as Viator or Groupon, is essential when you are a tour and activity operator in the 21st century.

Online travel agents will provide you with the online distribution you need in order to access niche markets, new travelers, and customers you never would have been able to reach prior to the advent of the Internet.

For example, you could design a promotion with the daily deal websites. This promotion would then be targeted to a specific audience that would be interested in booking your services.

It may be an investment to work with these agents and set up your channel management software to support this partnership, but the payoff is worth it when you reach a plethora of potential customers. Online agents to consider working with include online travel agents, daily deal sites, experiential gifting sites, and government tourism sites.

Hotels and hostels

Providing brochures or connecting with hotel concierge agents is a great way to capture last-minute bookings. By doing so, you’ll be able to fill up those vacant spots with a quick turnaround. Hotels are generally interested in partnering with tour companies as it adds value to their guests experience.

Partnerships with hotels and hostels can be both official (such as connecting with a hotel distribution partner ) and informal. A lot of hotels will accept brochures from local tour businesses that they will display to their visitors. Creating a visually-striking brochure is an economical way to improve your marketing efforts. It also puts your business right in front of prospective customers.

Local cafes and restaurants

There are lots of creative ways that tour and activity businesses can partner with local cafes and restaurants. This can include providing coupons and discount codes to travelers or visiting local cafes and restaurants as an advertised component of your tour. Visiting cafes and restaurants can further enhance your tour by providing an authentic experience that showcases local cuisines.

Local businesses

There are numerous kinds of local businesses that tour and activity providers should consider partnering with. Getting out into the local community will inevitably open up new opportunities to partner with small businesses.

Small, independent retailers are a particularly valuable partner for travel businesses offering tours and activities. After all, shopping is an important part of the travel experience. Depending on the tour that you provide, visiting local shops can improve customer satisfaction and help support the area’s economy in the process.

Travel content creators and influencers

In a world that spends an ever-increasing amount of time online, partnering with a social media influencer is particularly valuable for travel businesses as it allows them to showcase their unique selling points to a wide audience. Depending on the influencer, this partnership can simultaneously boost your business’s prestige.

But partnering with travel content creators and influencers offers more than just increasing your visibility. It also provides social media users with a deeper insight into your tour and activity. When managed properly, partnering with influencers can strike intrigue in potential customers as they view the content created by the influencer and envision what it would be like to experience your tour or activity for themselves.

Other tour and activity operators

It may seem counterintuitive to work with other tour and activity operators, but the fact of the matter is, travelers today want to book package deals. It is easier and more convenient to book a package that includes accommodations, meals, and activities for one set price.

By networking with other tour operators whose activities complement yours, you can create a desirable and affordable package for your potential customers. This partnership in tourism helps to reduce your marketing and promotional costs, and also allows you to reach a broader audience.

Someone who is interested in booking an excursion with another activity provider now knows that your company exists and that it offers complementary services that will make their holiday more enjoyable and memorable.

The best business partnerships are mutually beneficial

Travelers today want to be able to instantly book their experiences, as this is both convenient and efficient. By equipping your business with an online booking software that allows customers to self-book at their own pace, you’re leveraging your overall customer experience.

For instance, Rezdy is a travel booking software that actively helps tour and activity businesses maintain valuable business partnerships. Not only will you be able to easily manage all your admin duties from one platform, but most tasks will also now become automated with the help of a booking software like Rezdy.

Through Rezdy, you can invite your travel partners and business connections to resell your tours, excursions, and activities for commission on this unique tour marketplace platform, Rezdy Channel Manager .

Sign up with Rezdy today, and let your business partners know how this booking software will directly benefit them.

If you enjoyed this article – 7 Examples of Partnerships in Tourism and Travel – then make sure to subscribe to the Rezdy newsletter , where you’ll receive up-to-date resources from marketing tools, tour operator tips, business operations advice, and the latest industry news.

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Within minutes of signing up, you will see how special the Mondee Marketplace is. The best part is that it’s easy to get started; the hardest part is narrowing down the places to visit. Start exploring.

Mondee Makes Travel Personal

For Travel Agents, Travel Experts, and Influencers, we offer access to an expansive global inventory, key insights to help you build your business, built-in fraud protection and fintech features, and unprecedented control over your earnings. For Organizations , offering employee or member leisure travel benefits is a great way to build loyalty, give perks, and earn commissions. 
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Our AI travel assistant Abhi can find the best flights in seconds, answer complex questions, suggest itineraries, and connect travelers with local experts to craft personalized travel experiences. Read on to see why Abhi is the all-in-one leisure travel planning and booking solution for your employees, members, or customers!

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The Mondee Marketplace gives you access to an expansive global travel inventory with negotiated rates lower than what’s offered on other popular travel sites. Building on our status as a leading airfare consolidator, we now connect over 65K travel agencies and travel experts with top airlines, hotel and vacation accommodations, cruise lines, and car rentals from around the world to book trips at great fares.

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Our wide-ranging travel partners offer a near-infinite array of travel options for any type of journey. Here are just a few of them:

Our AI and Human Expertise Unite to Create Meaningful, Hyper-Local Travel Experiences

Mondee helps our customers craft truly unique, personalized travel experiences . Our cutting-edge travel tools meet the current and future needs of travel professionals – working harder so you don’t have to!

With our proprietary AI solution, Abhi, we continue to disrupt and transform the travel industry with our specialized data drawn from the knowledge and expertise of Mondee’s 65K+ global travel experts.

We put the information at your fingertips so you can connect with who and what matters most. Mondee unlocks the world.

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

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How to Partner With Fellow Tour Operators & Thrive

By Erick Tomaliwan

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Sometimes, the best partnerships in travel and tourism are just around the corner. Who else has the destination down pat? Other local tour and activity operators, of course.

Like yourself, they know the backroads, watering holes, hidden attractions, and reputable businesses — which means their guests also look to them for advice on where to eat, sleep, and what to do and see.

Wouldn’t it be nice if they recommended your tours as a must-book and vice versa? That’s why we’ve outlined what you need to know about teaming up with them— including:

• Why local strategic partnerships work
• How to partner with tour operators
• Brand collaboration examples to try

Benefits of collaborative marketing for tour operators

Online travel agents (OTAs) tend to get the most attention for partnership marketing — and rightfully so. Thanks to significant budget and resources, they dominate search rankings and online marketing campaigns. With them, it’s possible to promote your offerings on a mass scale.

But here’s the thing, your neighbours can be as good of partners — just in a different way. 

Unlike OTAs who are masters at digital marketing, your fellow tour operators are destination experts . That is to say — they’ve got the inside scoop over data. Naturally, travelers trust their suggestions because they know first-hand what a place uniquely offers. 

Plus, they have something OTAs don’t — in-person interaction. Their guides engage with the guests, getting to know them right down to likes and dislikes. If they bring you up, it’s likely because your tour matches a traveler’s interests. So although they don’t have the same reach, it’s made up ten-fold in credibility.

But there are other benefits of collaborative marketing beyond getting word-of-mouth referrals. Depending on the partnership, you can also:

• Attract more visitors by banding together to promote your destination
• Make bookings on behalf of each other with a low commission rate
• Elevate offerings by pairing two complementary experiences
• Save money on expenses — like sharing the cost of a shuttle service
• Give and receive mentorship from being in the same industry
• Boost your brand’s reputation through co-marketing and association 

Don’t get me wrong; you should still have an OTA marketing strategy . But in-destination bookings are rising, and we’re seeing offline partner bookings follow suit. So if you want to make it on last-minute bucket lists, it’s a good idea to build strong relationships in your tourism community as well. 

How to collaborate with other businesses in travel

Starting a partnership with a tour and activity operator is much different than listing on OTA sites. All you have to do is join Expedia Local Expert or TripAdvisor Experiences, whereas the other takes a bit longer to put into motion. An offline partnership requires an offline connection — laying the groundwork for the relationship first. 

In other words, it’s not something you can jump into on a trial basis. If you change your mind shortly after the handshake, you might come across as flaky, and potentially ruin your chance at future co-marketing opportunities within the community. So, you’ve got to be sure it’s a suitable partnership from the get-go. 

That said, let’s look at the steps for how to approach a business for collaboration, and how to partner with tour operators:

1. Figure out your goal

As you read earlier, there are plenty of ways you can benefit from local partnerships in travel and tourism. But covering everything right off the bat will only overwhelm both parties. So, it’s best to determine one thing to focus on before reaching out. 

Of course, that involves setting a goal — which is good practice for any marketing you do. Ask yourself, what do you hope to gain from this partnership? Is it brand awareness, positive publicity, new customers, unique offerings, or something else?

For whatever you come up with, outline your plan next. How are you going to reach that goal with another operator? Does it only need a few posters in their ticket office, or will it require you to set up a partner account ? 

I suggest starting with small, achievable goals. That way, both of you will get a feel for working together, and if everything goes well, move onto bigger collaborations. And soon, a strategic partnership will be underway. 

2. Find common ground

Once you know what you want out of the partnership, you can figure out what you’re looking for in a partner. Just like dating, it’s best to be selective. Or else, there’s no point in going to all that effort if it’s only meant to be a short-term relationship.

To help you find a suitable match, make a list of deal-breakers and must-haves. The better you stick to this during the search phase, the more likely you’ll end up with a long-lasting partnership. 

Not sure what to put down? Here are some ideas:

• Same target audience: you want their customers to dig your tours and the other way around.
• Similar core values: who you associate with reflects who you are as a business. Don’t ruin your reputation by working with a company that operates in a way you strongly disagree with, nor can get behind. 
• Not a direct competitor: this is common sense unless you’re okay with taking this advice too far, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”
• Similar niche: the pairing should make sense. For example, a kayak tour company goes well with a SUP rental shop. Both are water-sports related. 
• Positive reviews: if their guests are happy, you can be confident in referring your own to them. Plus, it shows they know how to provide a good experience, so their stamp of approval will mean a lot. 
• High customer engagement: check out their social media profiles. Do they post frequently and get a bunch of likes and comments? If so, you’ll see better results from your social media co-marketing strategies.
• Quality content: that said, make sure they do a good job marketing their tours and activities because your brand will be part of future campaigns. 
• Good references: if possible, ask other businesses what it’s like to work with them. Do they follow through with promises? Do they often give pushback to new ideas? Can they be trusted overall?

3. Build a relationship

Not surprisingly, you might be acquainted with the tour and activity operator you want to team up with. After all, they’re in the same location, so you’ve probably run into them a couple a hundred times — whether you know it or not.

But even if you’re on a first-name basis, shared a few conversations, or played against each other in softball, you still need to work up to pitching a partnership agreement. Rather than sending a cold email, it’s better to build rapport over time. That way, they’ll be more comfortable saying yes because they already know and trust you. 

Of course, it can be intimidating to break the ice — especially if you’ve never met them. Luckily, there are easy ways to do this without awkwardly showing up to their ticket office, saying hi out of the blue, and leaving your business card. Although, that also works. 

On LinkedIn, you can add them as a connection, and send a friendly message introducing yourself. If they don’t have a profile, see if they set up a booth at community events or trade shows, and pop over for a quick hello. Or if you really want to show interest, book one of their activities with your family, and tell them you had an amazing time. 

When they officially know who you are, and what your tour company does, ask to go for a coffee. Preface it as a chance to connect over your shared experience of running a tourism business. But for yourself, use it as an opportunity to find out whether they meet your guidelines for a potential partner. 

You might have to meet up for a few coffees, and occasional dinners, before bringing up a collaboration deal. You’ll know when the time is right. 

4. Know your value

Collaborative marketing is a two-way street. That means they have to get something out of it, too. So what do you bring to the table? Whatever you hope to gain from working with them, are you able to provide the same, or something else, in return?

It’s important to know this information beforehand since there’s a good chance they’ll ask. And if they don’t, still work it into the pitch because it will show you’re a valuable partner, and you want what’s best for them, too. But take it easy, you don’t have to spill your entire business plan to them. 

After a little back and forth, you’ll hopefully land on win-win strategy. Just be honest about what you’re looking for — don’t settle out of fear of losing them. Also, stay open to their ideas. Who knows, they might have something better in mind. 

And if you agree on including referral bookings as part of the plan, make sure to look up average tour operator commission rates . That should give you an idea for where to start the negotiation so you can still make a profit when rewarding them for new business. 

5. Nurture the relationship

Like any relationship, you have to put in the time and effort for it to last. So while you move forward with the co-marketing plan, here are some things you can do to keep the partnership alive and well:

• Hold monthly meetings: this allows you to check-in without bugging them daily. Here, you can talk about campaign metrics, what’s going well, and what else you can try together. 
• Keep your end up: if you want them to follow through with their promise, you have to be willing to do the same. Set an example by working hard to carry out what you said you would. 
• Stay in touch: it doesn’t always have to be about bookings. Make a habit of asking how business is going for them and offering advice as needed. 
• Show appreciation: small gestures go along way. Give their team a shareable gift on holidays — like chocolate or baking — and send a thank-you card. 

Ideas for local partnerships in travel and tourism

There are many co-marketing tactics you can try with another tour and activity operator. Since you’re relatively nearby, it’s not too much trouble to quickly meet up, re-evaluate, and swap in something different if one doesn’t work out. So you can be as creative as you want, or keep it simple. It’s up to you.

But as I mentioned before, it’s best to start small and go from there. So if you’re struggling with where to begin, here are some easy-to-implement brand collaboration examples:

1. Host an event or contest

It’s likely you’ll have a couple of experiences that go hand in hand — especially if you fall into a similar category, or take guests to the same areas. Check what items go well together, and create a package anyone can win. Then share the contest on social media to generate buzz, and get access each other’s followers. 

For example, let’s say you offer a guided hike along a coastal trail and they provide an ocean kayaking adventure. Both are exciting on their own, but better if combined. The prize package would be something like kayaking to the trail, having a beach picnic, going on the hike, and kayaking back. 

Another option is to host an event together. With the same example, it’s safe to assume both tour companies care about ocean conservation. As an event then, you could collectively round up the community for a beach clean-up. Not only would this get positive publicity, but it’d also boost brand awareness with the locals. 

2. Offer a special incentive

Most travelers love to save money on trips — hence all the online travel deals. As a co-marketing campaign, you can give guests a discount code to use when booking tours and activities with your partner. Since people are more likely to buy something with a coupon, this will be the extra boost they need to try a different experience. 

3. Display marketing materials

It’s never a bad idea to try out traditional advertising methods as well. By putting up posters on the front desk or keeping a pamphlet holder next to the debit machine, guests can get ideas for things to do while waiting in the lobby. Just make sure your website URL is easy to spot, so they know where to find more information if interested.

4. Let them go for free

If guides are going to promote another tour or activity, they’ll be more convincing if they had the experience themselves. That’s because they can go into detail about where they went, what they saw, what they did, and how they felt. Plus, stories are incredibly effective at persuading someone to make a booking — thanks to the fear of missing out (FOMO). 

To give their guides something to talk about, as well as your own, let each other’s employees go for free. So long as it’s last minute to ensure the tour doesn’t reach full capacity and they take the place of a paying guest. 

5. Mention in emails

With collaborative content marketing, you can go down many different routes — like guest posting, social media shout-outs, video promotions, and much more. But for starters, try signing off thank-you emails with a recommendation. 

Here’s an example: 

Thank you for booking our coastal hiking tour. We hope you had an amazing time and spotted a sea lion or two! If you want to see the cliffs from a different point of view — AKA the ocean — book a kayaking adventure with our friends over at White Caps Tours.  

You can customize and automate the message, so it sends with the right tour. Just remember to include a link or call-to-action button in the email body, and have your partner do the same. 

6. Start a collective

Why partner with one, when you can work as a group? It might be a good idea to  set up a cooperative  of some sort with all of the different tour and activity operators in your area. There are many  benefits of business collectives , including sharing a website, marketing costs, and resources. But the number one benefit is the referral power it can generate when every member agrees to pass the business on  —  which brings us to the next point. 

7. Make bookings for each other

As you can see, there’s a lot you can do with your fellow tour and activity operators — we’ve barely scratched the surface. But the best idea yet is making it possible for either company to book on behalf of the other. 

With partner accounts, both teams can quickly go into a private dashboard and book for guests wanting another incredible experience. Might as well turn those co-marketing campaigns and collaborations into conversions.

Guest what — our booking software supports partner accounts and they’re easy to set up.

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Top Online Travel Agencies to Partner with and Supercharge Bookings

What Is an Online Travel Agent (OTA)?

How does the commission model work with online travel agents, top global online travel agencies, top online travel agencies in apac, top online travel agencies in latin america, top online travel agencies in europe, top online travel agencies in the us, which otas will you partner with.

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” Dalai Lama

The travel and tourism industry is one of those that continually bring innovation into the niche. New trends, such as travel technology , keep shifting the tide and changing the face of the industry as we know it.

As the industry evolves, increasing bookings and marginal profits becomes more challenging. The struggle is real, but there’s also an excellent solution – partnering with online travel agencies (OTAs) .

An online travel agent is a third-party website that sells travel-related services offered by their partners , such as hotels, hostels, airlines, car rental companies, event organizers, and more. It’s a website where people can search for and compare various services and make bookings without an actual travel agent .

While large hotels like Hilton don’t need an agent to help them increase bookings, smaller or independent properties can benefit from an OTA’s online visibility and reach.

Many OTAs also offer paid advertising to their partners to help their websites appear above organic results. Metasearch engines like TripAdvisor use this kind of PPC model as well.

Metasearch engines are comparison sites that focus mainly on customer reviews, helping travelers compare various OTAs, airlines, and other travel providers before booking.

When someone books a room, flight, or other services through an OTA, that service provider pays a certain percentage of the booking’s total value to the OTA . The providers pay the commission after the checkout.

Commission rates vary by location, property type, amenities, and other factors. For instance, big brands usually pay less in commission than independents , as their name helps them negotiate lower fees.

To help you pick the right OTA for your business , we made this comprehensive list of the top online travel agencies worldwide . Its infographic-like style will give you a clear overview of the OTAs’ key aspects and benefits. Let’s dive in.

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There are too many global OTAs to list them all here, but these stand out due to exceptional quality, wide reach, credibility, trust, and first-class support .

1.     Booking.com

Founded as bookings.nl, merged with Bookings Online, and later acquired by Booking Holdings (formerly Priceline Group), Booking.com has become the go-to booking website for all things travel. It’s one of the largest global OTAs that sells tons of activities, tours, vehicle rentals, rooms, and airfare .

It dominates the industry, along with Expedia. According to HotelTechReport , Booking Holdings and Expedia control 95% of the online travel market .

Founded: 1996

Headquarters: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Operating in: 120,000+ destinations in 220+ countries

Listings: 28+ million, including 6.2+ million accommodation units

Commission: 10-15% (15% global average)

Best for: Any accommodation type (hotels, hostels, motels, B&Bs, apartments, vacation homes, cottages, cabins, villas, resorts, boats, luxury tents, etc.), airlines, and companies offering airport taxis, car rentals, and experiences

2.     Expedia

Owned by Expedia Group, Expedia.com offers hotel rooms, vacation rentals, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and activities . It also offers package deals that can include flights, stays, and/or cars.

By partnering with Expedia, travel providers can tap into Expedia Group’s network of over 200 booking websites , including Travelocity, Orbitz, Hotels.com, Wotif, and CarRentals.com.

Headquarters: Seattle, Washington, USA

Operating in: 220+ countries

Listings: 1.8+ million vacation rentals, 590,000+ hotels, 35,000+ activities, 500+ airlines, 175+ car rental companies

Commission: 10-30% (10-15% for big brands; 15-30% for independents)

Best for: Any accommodation type, airlines, car rental companies, cruise lines, and tour operators

3.     Viator

Just like its parent company, TripAdvisor, Viator isn’t an OTA. It partners with OTAs offering travel activities, tours, and attraction tickets , and lets them create a TripAdvisor listing to grow sales.

It offers top-notch experiences, including VIP tours, which is why it’s prized in the industry as one of the best metasearch engines .

Founded: 1997

Headquarters: Needham, Massachusetts, USA

Operating in: 48+ countries

Listings: 345,000 activities, tours, and attraction tickets

Commission: 8%

Best for: Travel companies offering experiences

4.     Hotelbeds

With over 60,000 travel distributors in over 140 markets , Hotelbeds is one of the top B2B travel agents. It has been growing exponentially after acquiring Tourico Holidays and GTA in 2017.

This Spanish OTA offers hotel stays, car hires, flight tickets, attraction tickets, airport transfers, and activities .

Founded: 2001

Headquarters: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Operating in: 185+ countries

Listings: 180,000+ hotels, 24,000+ transfer routes, 18,000+ activities and tickets, 500+ car rental suppliers, 40+ airlines

Commission: 20-30% (23% average)

Best for: Hotels of any size, companies offering travel experiences, airlines, and car rental companies

5.     Hostelworld

Although it specializes in hostels , Hostelworld also promotes hotels and B&Bs . Additionally, it offers airport transfers, car rentals, flight tickets, tours, and activities .

Showcasing over 13 million guest reviews , it aims to help travelers, particularly millennials , find the best deals and experience various cities like locals. It’s especially popular among backpackers.

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Operating in: 178+ countries

Listings: 36,000+

Commission: 10-25% (15% average)

Best for: Hostels and tour operators

6.     Airbnb

Founded in 2008, Airbnb has expanded to offer millions of unique accommodations worldwide.

They revolutionized the way we travel, turning any home into a potential hotel or From single rooms to castles, Airbnb connects travelers with local hosts , offering experiences that go beyond traditional hotels.

Founded : 2008

Headquarters : San Francisco, United States of America

Operating in : 220+ countries and regions

Listings : 5.6+ million listings worldwide

Commission : Hosts typically pay a 3% commission; guests pay a service fee of under 14.2%

Best for : Unique accommodations (private rooms, apartments, houses, unique stays like treehouses and igloos), experiences, long-term stays, and locals wanting to host travelers.

7.     TUI AG

TUI AG, standing for Touristik Union International, is a leading tourism conglomerate, offering a broad spectrum of services from charter flights, hotels and resorts, to cruises and package holidays.

Founded in 1968, TUI has grown to dominate the tourism industry, particularly in Europe , with its comprehensive offerings that cater to every aspect of travelers’ needs, making it a one-stop shop for holiday planning.

Founded : 1968

Headquarters : Hanover, Germany

Operating in : 180+ countries

Listings : Offers around 1,600 travel agencies, 150 aircraft, over 400 hotels and resorts, 16 cruise liners, and many incoming agencies in all major holiday destinations around the globe.

Commission : Varies based on the service

Best for : Package holidays, cruises, hotel and resort stays, airline services, and travel experiences for families, couples, and solo travelers looking for seamless holiday planning and execution.

8.     China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd

Founded as part of the China National Travel Service (HK) Group Corporation, it specializes in providing tax-free shopping experiences, primarily catering to tourists and travelers.

China Tourism Group Duty Free Corp Ltd, commonly referred to as CTG Duty Free, is a state-owned enterprise and the world’s largest duty-free retailer . With its expansive network of outlets, CTG Duty Free plays a pivotal role in China’s tourism and retail sectors, offering a wide range of products from luxury goods to local specialties.

Founded : 1928.

Headquarters : Shanghai, China

Operating in : Mainly in China, with locations at airports, city centers, and tourist destinations.

Listings : Operates hundreds of duty-free shops across China, including some of the world’s largest duty-free malls in Hainan.

Commission : Not applicable in the traditional sense as it operates on a retail model rather than a commission-based model.

Best for : Tourists and international travelers looking for luxury goods, cosmetics, fashion, electronics, and local Chinese products at duty-free prices.

9.     Je t2 PLC

Jet2 PLC is a prominent British low-cost airline offering scheduled and charter flights. Established in 2002, Jet2 has quickly ascended as a favorite among travelers seeking affordable yet reliable travel options within Europe. 

With a strong emphasis on customer service, Jet2 PLC has expanded its reach to include holiday packages through Jet2holidays, providing comprehensive travel solutions that encompass flights, accommodations, and transfers.

Founded : 1983 (rebranded to Jet2.com in 2002)

Headquarters : Leeds, England, United Kingdom

Operating in : Mainly in Europe, serving over 70 destinations

Listings : Operates a fleet of over 100 aircraft

Commission : Not applicable.

Best for : Budget-conscious travelers looking for flights within Europe and holidaymakers seeking package deals that offer value for money without compromising on quality.

10.   Rewe Group

REWE Group is a leading German diversified retail and tourism conglomerate , with operations spanning across Europe. 

Established in 1927, REWE has grown from a cooperative buying group to one of Europe’s largest retailers with an extensive portfolio that includes supermarkets, DIY stores, and a significant presence in the travel and tourism industry through its subsidiary, DER Touristik. 

This diverse presence enables REWE to offer a wide range of products and services, from grocery shopping to vacation planning, catering to the varied needs of consumers.

Founded : 1927

Headquarters : Cologne, Germany

Operating in : Primarily in Europe, with stores and operations in several countries across the continent.

Listings : Operates thousands of supermarkets, discount stores, and travel agencies, along with hotels and holiday destinations under DER Touristik.

Commission : Varies based on the service and product offerings.

Best for : Grocery shoppers, DIY enthusiasts, and travelers looking for comprehensive travel services, including holiday packages, hotel bookings, and tours, particularly in Europe.

The winner: Booking.com

Booking.com takes care of entire vacations seamlessly, which is why most travelers prefer it. It’s excellent for all accommodation properties and other travel providers, and its commission rates are generally lower than the other OTAs’.

The Asia-Pacific region boasts of various OTAs with top-quality services and low commission rates .

1.       Agoda

Owned by Agoda Company, a subsidiary of Booking Holdings , Agoda is a major player in APAC with growing connections in Europe and the US.

It offers hotel accommodation, vacation rentals, apartments, villas, and bungalows . It also provides flights, airport transfers, car hire, and activities , but those rely on metasearch to find the right OTAs for such services.

Founded: 1998

Headquarters: Singapore

Operating in: 65+ countries

Listings: 2.5+ million

Commission: 15%

Best for: Hotels, especially in Asia

2.     Trip.com

Trip.com is the largest OTA in China that went through many acquisitions over the years. Expedia owned it at one point before Trip.com Group (formerly CTrip) acquired it in 2017.

This Chinese OTA specializes in hotels but also provides fights, car rentals, train tickets, activities, tours, and attraction tickets .

Headquarters: Shanghai, China

Operating in: 200+ countries

Listings: 1.2+ million hotels, of which 700,000+ are international

Commission: 4% average (up to 19%)

Best for: Hotels

3.     MakeMyTrip

MakeMyTrip is a large OTA in India that provides hotel rooms, flight tickets, train tickets, bus tickets, and holiday packages .

It leverages AI, machine learning, and big data , enabling it to increase its partners’ bookings. It has been one of the most innovative OTAs in India from its humble beginnings.

Founded: 2000

Headquarters: Gurugram, India

Operating in: 180+ countries

Listings: 460,000+

Commission: 15.5% average

4.     Klook Travel

Klook Travel is a smaller APAC player than the previous three, but it’s a relatively new company.

Still, it has grown into a popular OTA in China, offering a wealth of travel experiences, transportation options, and hotel bookings . We believe it’ll play with the big guys in the near future. It certainly has what it takes.

Founded: 2014

Headquarters: Hong Kong, China

Operating in: 400+ destinations in 28+ countries

Listings: 40,000+ accommodation units, 100,000+ activities

Commission: 15-25%

Best for: Hotels and tour operators

5.     Veltra

Veltra is a tour operator company that deserves a spot on this list because of its extraordinary offers. It partners with tour operators that offer fun things to do around the globe , including cultural events, sightseeing tours, spa getaways, and many other activities.

Founded: 1991

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Operating in: 78+ countries

Listings: 13,000+ tours and 6,000+ activities

Commission: 8-10%

Best for: Tour operators

The winner: Trip.com

Trip.com wins this race because of its wide reach, a plethora of different offers, and some of the lowest commission rates for participating partners.

There are fewer OTAs in the LATAM market than in the rest of the world, and most of them have a narrower reach. These are the most popular.

1.     Despegar

Despegar is the largest OTA in Latin America that serves the entire region and then some. It has been growing in popularity in recent years, so we might see it expand to more markets. Expedia owns a portion of its shares , so it’s sure to keep growing.

It specializes in hotels and flights but also provides vacation rentals, car rentals, activities, and packages.

Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Operating in: 50+ countries

Listings: 500+ airlines, 520,000+ accommodation options, including 150,000+ hotels

Commission: 19% average

Best for: Hotels and airlines

2.     BestDay.com

Offering its services to countries in America, Asia, and Europe, BestDay.com is becoming more popular worldwide, especially since Despegar acquired it recently .

It’s the largest OTA in Mexico that also offers bookings for hotels, flights, car rentals, tours, activities, and vacation packages . Additionally, it provides airport transfers at the convenience of its travelers.

Founded: 1984

Headquarters: Cancún, Mexico

Listings: 230,000+ hotels, 70+ airlines

Commission: N/A

3.     PriceTravel

PriceTravel specializes in hotel and flight bookings and offers packages and tours as well. It provides bookings of some of the top destinations in Mexico, the US, the Dominican Republic, and the Caribbean .

We especially love it because it promotes social responsibility and human and environmental well-being.

Operating in: 30+ countries

Listings: 249,000+ hotels and 500+ airlines

4.     Tiquetes Baratos

Tiquetes Baratos (lit. cheap tickets) is owned by PriceTravel and has the same connections. It’s primarily a flight OTA and provides hotel bookings, airport transfers, car rentals, package deals, bus tickets, cruises, and tours.

Apart from excellent offers at competitive prices, it stands out because of its personalized services , which include weekly emails with prominent recommendations.

Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Bogotá, Colombia

Best for: Airlines and hotels

5.     Almundo

Almundo may not be as big as Despegar, but it’s just as popular in Argentina and the rest of LATAM. CVC Corp.’s Avantrip acquired it recently , which seems quite promising for Almundo’s future growth.

Almundo is an OTA with some of the lowest commission rates , and it offers bookings for hotels, flights, car rentals, packages, activities, and even travel insurance .

Founded: 1992

Operating in: 18+ countries

Listings: 100,000+ hotels

Commission: 2-7%

The winner: Despegar

All of these OTAs specialize in hotels and flights and offer additional travel services, but Despegar is the obvious winner. It may have higher commission rates, but its high-quality services and wide reach make the fees worth paying.

The European market doesn’t have a shortage of high-quality OTAs . Apart from Booking.com , Hostelworld , and Hotelbeds , there are plenty more that you could consider for a partner. Here are some of the best.

1.       Atrápalo

Atrápalo, or Catch It, is a widely-favored OTA that offers airfare, hotels, car rentals, train tickets, event tickets, cruises, and packages .

It was always focused on European travelers, but it recently started expanding into Latin America. It provides its partners with Atrápalo Extranet , a feature-rich platform with tools for boosting their ranking and improving profitability.

Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Operating in: 13+ countries

Listings: N/A

2.     On the Beach

On the Beach is a metasearch platform that helps travelers find hotels, flight tickets, and airport transfers provided by OTAs.

We decided to include it here because It’s massively popular in the UK, especially among Britons looking to book a package holiday.

Founded: 2004

Headquarters: Manchester, England, the UK

Operating in: N/A

3.     eDreams

eDreams is one of the largest OTAs in Europe . It’s part of eDreams ODIGEO Group that operates in more than 46 countries worldwide.

It provides hotels, airfare, flight + hotel packages, vacation rentals, activities, car rentals, and airport transfers.

Operating in: 40+ countries

Listings: 1.1+ million accommodation units, 665+ airlines

Commission: 20% average

4.     Skyscanner

Acquired by Trip.com Group in 2017, UK-based Skyscanner is a metasearch platform that offers services from over 1,200 travel providers.

Dedicated to simplifying travel, it offers only the most essential services – flight tickets, hotels, and car rentals . It’s focused on sustainable travel and makes bookings a breeze.

Founded: 2003

Headquarters: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Listings: 1.8+ million hotels

5.       Kiwi.com

According to Deloitte, Kiwi.com is the fifth fastest-growing tech company in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa . It’s one of the most innovative metasearch engines that offers flights, hotels, trains, and car rentals .

Thanks to partnerships with Booking.com and Rentalcars.com , it offers travel providers excellent opportunities to improve sales.

Founded: 2012

Headquarters: Brno, Czech Republic

Commission: 3%

Best for: Airlines

The winner: eDreams

Most of these OTAs haven’t disclosed their commission rates, countries of operation, and the number of listings. Still, we believe eDreams might be the best to partner with, as it’s part of the world-renowned eDreams ODIGEO Group , which offers numerous benefits.

Apart from Expedia , the US travel market is rich with many other high-quality online travel agencies. Most of those below are part of Expedia Group.

1.     Getaroom

Founded by Dave Litman and Bob Diener, the former CEO and President at Hotels.com, respectively, Getaroom is a big player in the US that’s great for finding special deals .

It’s a unique OTA that offers hotel bookings , but with a twist. While people can book rooms without an agent, they can also call a toll-free number to get discounts or other best-value offers .

Headquarters: Dallas, Texas

Listings: 130,000+ hotels

Best for: Hotels and independent boutique properties

2.     Travelocity

Ever since Travelocity was acquired by Expedia Group in 2015, it has become a household name globally. Avid travelers keep flocking to it for cheap hotel deals and other discounted offers.

Travelocity specializes in hotels and all-inclusive resorts , but its services also include flights, cars, vacation packages, cruises, and various experiences .

Operating in: 70+ countries

Listings: 50,000+ hotels, 700+ airlines, and 50+ car rental suppliers

Commission: 15% average

Best for: Hotels and resorts

3.     Hotels.com

Also part of Expedia Group , Hotels.com focuses on deals on hotels and vacation rentals . Its partners are major hotel chains, self-catering properties, and independent hotels .

It also provides car rentals, airfare, and vacation packages .

Listings: 325,000+ hotels in 19,000+ locations

4.     Hotwire

Yet another Expedia Group company , Hotwire, has partnered with Hotels.com and offers the same deals – flights, hotels, cars, and vacation packages .

The site is a bit quirky in that it uses opaque pricing , meaning it hides hotel names . Travelers can see the names only after they make a booking. As Hotwire states on the website, it does so to help customers “score 4-star hotels at 2-star prices.”

Headquarters: San Francisco, California

Best for: Four-star hotels and resorts

5.     Orbitz

Owned by Orbitz Worldwide, a subsidiary of Expedia Group , Orbitz is yet another big OTA in the US travel market, especially in North America. It offers hotel deals, airfare, vacation rentals, car rentals, packages, activities, and cruises .

Orbitz also serves as a metasearch engine . Its Vacation Value Finder feature helps travelers secure the best deals from other OTAs.

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois

Listings: 500,000+ hotels, 455+ airlines, 25+ car rental suppliers, and 18+ cruise lines

The winner: Travelocity

It’s hard to single out just one of all these massive OTAs, especially since most are Expedia Group companies. All of them provide first-class services to both their partners and customers.

However, Travelocity stands out because it’s more intuitive and provides travelers with useful content for booking the best adventures. That also helps its participating travel providers increase sales. Hotels.com offers the lowest commission rates , so it may be the first choice for many hotels.

After reading about all of these exceptional online travel agencies, choosing one may seem even more challenging than before. That’s why we highly recommend you bookmark this page and read through all of it again while spending time checking out what each of the agencies offers to its partners.

The best part? You don’t have to pick only one. You can promote your services on as many sites as you want, as long as you can afford all the commissions. The same goes for picking a travel host agency .

Don’t hesitate to reach out to any of those OTAs for more information , especially if there is information missing from this list, such as certain agencies’ commission rates. You can discover them only by contacting the OTAs. Each of them will gladly share that information and discuss all the possibilities of partnering with them .

If you need help with increasing your booking profits , feel free to get in touch with our team. Our cutting-edge technology that leverages AI, machine learning, and big data uses price-prediction algorithms that can unlock a whole new world of hidden revenue opportunities .

Contact us anytime for more information or to request a demo .

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Ido, graduated from the College of Management Academic Studies, is Hotelmize Sales Operations Manager. He has a demonstrated history of working in the Sales & Marketing industry, and is paving his path in the Travel & Tourism industry. His skills in Negotiation, Interpersonal Relations, Team Management, Customer Service, and Sales Management, makes him a strong Sales Manager and a team player in the Travel Industry

Mize is the leading hotel booking optimization solution in the world. With over 170 partners using our fintech products, Mize creates new extra profit for the hotel booking industry using its fully automated proprietary technology and has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue across its suite of products for its partners. Mize was founded in 2016 with its headquarters in Tel Aviv and offices worldwide.

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Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path adventures, and get you out of any jam. Especially if you know who to use.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

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New York's 'The Travel Agency' Opens Third Cannabis Shop, This Time Near Rockefeller Central & Grand Central Station

Zinger key points.

• The Travel Agency opens its third dispensary on iconic Fifth Avenue, NYC.
• Partnership highlights commitment to community, social equity in cannabis industry.

New York's legal cannabis retail brand,  The Travel Agency: A Cannabis Store, will open its third branded and licensed dispensary this Wednesday, May 8 at 9 a.m. ET, making it the first legal recreational cannabis shop on Fifth Avenue in the heart of New York's most famous shopping district between Rockefeller Center and the iconic Grand Central Terminal, said co-founders Paul Yau and Arana Hankin-Biggers .

"Our vision for The Travel Agency is to deliver a unique and elevated cannabis experience to New Yorkers, and through our partnerships with CAURD licensees we've also been able to deliver on this promise at scale and support social equity," said Yau in a press release shared with Benzinga.

Continuing their commitment to supporting community and social equity in the cannabis industry, The Travel Agency is partnering with Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licensee Chris T. Concannon, the founder of Terrapin Greens LLC. Concannon's path to licensure reflects the transformative power of cannabis legalization. He was arrested for cannabis possession in his early 20s and later became a serial entrepreneur. Concannon is the founder and owner of a successful family business in the financial printing industry, which he started in 1996.

"The Travel Agency Fifth Avenue will be inclusive to all, including New Yorkers who frequent the area, but also to tourists visiting the greatest city on Earth. Whether you're a cannabis enthusiast, or it's your first encounter with the plant, we want our customers to know that they will have a personalized experience that caters to their needs," Concannon said.

Centrally located at 587 Fifth Avenue between 47th Street and 48th Street, the dispensary is located next door to H&M's flagship store and across the street from Lululemon and Sephora . The 3,300 square foot immersive space was designed by award-winning firm Leong Leong and will transport customers to a far-off destination by simply walking through the door. 

New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple can expect the same premium experience that has made The Travel Agency branded dispensaries a favorite, say co-founders.

Since first opening its doors in February 2023 , The Travel Agency branded dispensaries have become the go-to destination for all cannabis consumers, from the canna-curious to seasoned connoisseurs. The brand's commitment to excellence has been recognized by the industry, with three prestigious Clio Awards for Retail Design, Brand Design and Public Relations. The brand has also garnered significant media attention, featured in national outlets like The New York Times, The Daily Show, Benzinga, People Magazine, Time Out New York, PAPER, ABC News, Design Milk and Metropolis.

"It's an incredible honor for us to partner and bring legal adult-use cannabis to one of the most iconic blocks in New York City," said Hankin-Biggers. "We are equally proud that across our three branded dispensaries we have been able to employ more than 200 people, providing good paying jobs, benefits, and opportunities for advancement in this exciting, burgeoning industry."

Now Read:  ‘Better Than Football' Says Ricky Williams As He And Jim McMahon Advocate For Cannabis Reform On CNN

Photo: Courtesy of The Travel Agency

© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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The Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference is coming to Florida

The  Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference  is returning to Florida, in a new venue in Hollywood, on April 16 and 17, 2024. The two-day event at  The Diplomat Beach Resort  will be a chance for entrepreneurs, both large and small, to network, learn and grow. Renowned for its trendsetting abilities and influence on the future of cannabis, mark your calendars – this conference is the go-to event of the year for the cannabis world.

Get your tickets now on  bzcannabis.com  – Prices will increase very soon!

Best Hotels Near Electrostal History and Art Museum, Elektrostal

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Former A3 President Brian Cho Launches Arise Artists Agency, Joined By Former A3 Agents

EXCLUSIVE : Former A3 Artists Agency Partner and President Brian Cho has started Arise Artists Agency, with former A3 agents Ashley Partington, Abbie Waters and Nic Frascino joining the newly launched company. The news comes a month and a half after the abrupt shutdown of A3 Artists Agency last month.  

"I am thrilled to embark on an exciting new venture with the introduction of our new company,” said Cho, Arise Artists Agency’s CEO. “As we navigate the dynamic landscape of our industry, our goal is to expand our agency into a comprehensive full-service provider, prioritizing an “artists first” approach. We look forward to welcoming many new members to our agency in the near future."

Partington will head the Commercial, Branding & Celebrity Endorsement Division, while Waters will Head the Voiceover Division with Frascino joining to cover Animation, Commercials and Video Games. Frascino also will work in voiceover.

The plan is for Arise to expand into other areas. There has been an open invitation to A3 agents, left without a home by the sudden agency shutdown, to join the new company. Many of them have since found other jobs.

An agent in the commercial space for over 17 years, Partington has worked with actors, celebrities, influencers, and athletes on a number of notable campaigns, including World Series of Poker with Jason Alexander and Fan Duel with Carl Weathers. 

Waters has had a career spanning over two decades in the fields of acting, music, casting, and talent representation. 

More from Deadline

• Longtime A3 Agent Sharon Paz Transitions To Management, Launching Paz Talent
• CESD Hires Former A3 Partner Domina Holbeck & Agent Sloane Fitzgerald To Bolster Agency's Emerging Talent Division

THE 10 CLOSEST Hotels to Electrostal History and Art Museum

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15 men brought to military enlistment office after mass brawl in Moscow Oblast

Local security forces brought 15 men to a military enlistment office after a mass brawl at a warehouse of the Russian Wildberries company in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast on Feb. 8, Russian Telegram channel Shot reported .

29 people were also taken to police stations. Among the arrested were citizens of Kyrgyzstan.

A mass brawl involving over 100 employees and security personnel broke out at the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal on Dec. 8.

Read also: Moscow recruits ‘construction brigades’ from Russian students, Ukraine says

We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron !

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine

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Gaza latest: Israel's use of weapons provided by US likely violated international law, report by Biden govt finds

The Biden administration says Israel likely violated international law with US-provided weapons. Earlier, Israel's ambassador to the UN used a paper shredder to shred the UN charter on stage at the UN General Assembly.

Saturday 11 May 2024 04:47, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• US report says Israel's use of arms likely violated international law
• Israeli ambassador to United Nations shreds 'copy of UN charter'
• UN General Assembly backs Palestinian bid for full membership
• Mark Stone analysis: Who voted with Israel at the UN and why were most Pacific Island nations?
• Netanyahu says Israelis will fight with 'fingernails' after Biden weapons warning - but Rafah decision unclear
• Israeli war cabinet 'approves expanded Rafah operation'
• Alistair Bunkall analysis: Biden's reputation is on the line if Netanyahu defies him
• Listen to the Daily above and tap here to follow wherever you get your podcasts
• Live reporting by Lauren Russell and (earlier) Richard Williams

Firefighters are battling a large blaze in Kiryat Shmona, a city in northern Israel, after 35 rockets were fired by Lebanon's Hezbollah, according to The Times of Israel.

The news site cited the Israel Fire and Rescue Services as saying 10 firefighting teams were at the scene.

Video posted on social media appeared to show the fire on what looked like the side of a hill.

No casualties or injuries have been reported. 

A report by the US government has said that Israel's use of US-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law.

In the findings of a state department report - known as the national security memorandum - the Biden administration said it has found "reasonable" evidence to conclude that its ally had breached international law.

But it added it was unable to link specific US weapons to individual Israeli strikes. 

The report said: "Given Israel's significant reliance on US-made defence articles, it is reasonable to assess that defence articles have been used by Israeli security forces since 7 October in instances inconsistent with its international humanitarian law obligations or with established best practices for mitigating civilian harm."

It added that while Israel has the knowledge, experience and tools to implement the "best practices for mitigating civilian harm in its military operations" evidence from the ground - including high levels of civilian casualties - raise "substantial questions whether the IDF is using them effectively in all cases".

Turning to the issue of aid getting into Gaza, the US government report said it does not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or restricting the transport or delivery of aid. 

Crucially, the report stops short of saying that Israel has violated the terms under which it is able to use US weapons to carry out its offensive in Gaza.

By Mark Stone , US correspondent 

A huge majority of the world's nations voted with the Palestinians at the United Nations today.

But who were the nine countries that voted against the Palestinian quest for membership, rights and privileges at the UN, and why?

The current Israeli government is firmly against a Palestinian state in every sense.

Different iterations of Israeli governments over the years have oscillated on 'two states', but after the 7 October Hamas attacks the Israeli position cemented - no two states, no Palestinian state.

Broadly, they do not distinguish between the extremism of Hamas and the moderate nature of other Palestinian political factions like the Fatah-run Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. It's the crux of deadlock.

So who else? 

The United States

They stand behind Israel despite significant tension now between President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

America is committed to a two-state solution but argues that it begins with a ceasefire and that the formation of a Palestinian state comes much further down the line.

Speaking after the vote, White House spokesman John Kirby said: "We continue to believe in the promise of a two-state solution and an independent state for the Palestinian people. 

"That's something that President Biden remains fully and firmly committed to. We also believe that the best way to do that is through direct negotiations with the parties and not through a vote at the UN of this kind, so that's why we voted no."

As always with geopolitics, relationships are so often symbiotic; they are all about mutual benefit even when, ostensibly, the relationship might seem incongruous.

The eastern-European EU member voted with Israel and against the Palestinians.

Don't assume that hard-right Hungarian Prime Minister Orban's hatred of Hungarian-born Jewish-US billionaire George Soros is a reflection of his views on Israel despite the anti-Soros narrative often being seen as antisemitic.

Antisemitism has haunted the right of politics in Hungary since the Second World War when half a million Jewish Hungarians were murdered. Yet Orban and Netanyahu have a close, longstanding relationship.

Israel and Hungary are aligned by mutual interests. 

Orban admires the way Netanyahu's ethos of building strength out of a small nation-state and the two leaders found mutual interest in standing up to liberal democratic headwinds.

Orban's fallout with the EU has aligned with Netanyahu's assessment that Europe is increasingly anti-Israel.

The Soros-hatred also aligns with Netanyahu in that the conspiracy is that Soros is somehow seeking to 'Islamise' Judeo-Christian Europe with his pro-immigration stance.

Argentina's vote is driven by new populist President Javier Milei who has pledged unwavering support for Netanyahu and has vowed to move Argentina's embassy to Jerusalem. 

Milei has said he plans to convert to Judaism.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic also voted with Israel in line with a strongly pro-Israel stance underlined repeatedly since 7 October.

There is a strong historical bond between Czech leaders and the Zionist movement which helped cement the Jewish State which strengthened after the fall of Communism in 1989. 

As a new democracy, the Czech Republic bonded with a young democracy in Israel. In recent years, economic ties have flourished.

Pacific Island Nations

The rest, curiously maybe, are all Pacific Island nations: Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru and Palau.

The reason for their support is simple: straightforward soft power.

The small developing nations all enjoy generous Israeli aid from the government and from Israeli charities. 

The understanding is that, in return, they will always support Israel at international bodies of which they are members.

Israel insists that its motivation is predominantly humanitarian, but officials are up front to that it's also about positioning Israel in a better light.

Israel uses its considerable expertise in many arenas deftly.

At natural disasters, for example, Israeli rescue crews are often among the first on the ground. 

This targeted soft power diplomacy has helped Israel to secure votes, but also abstentions in its favour among many other nations too.

On this vote though, on Palestine, global opinion was overwhelmingly against Israel.

Israel's entry for Eurovision 2024, Eden Golan, has become one of the favourites among bookies to win this year's contest.

The 20-year-old singer climbed to second favourite from ninth after the semi-final, according to Eurovision World, a website that compiles betting odds from 15 of Europe's biggest bookmakers. 

It said Israel is seen as having a 22% chance of winning, behind Croatia's Baby Lasagna who was seen having a 41% chance.

It comes despite more than 10,000 people gathering in the host Swedish city of Malmo to stage a non-violent protest against Israel's participation in Saturday's final.

While the results of the two semi-finals are decided by viewers, in the final, audience votes will make up only half of the result, while juries of five music professionals in each participating country will make up the other half.

Earlier, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations appeared on stage at a meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Whilst on stage in New York he shredded "a copy of the UN charter" - which was, in reality, three pieces of paper.

His actions came moments before the 193-member world body approved a resolution, giving Palestine new "rights and privileges" within the agency. 

Watch the full moment below. 

A first of its kind report by the US government is expected to conclude that Israel has not violated the terms of its use of US weapons, according to sources cited by the Associated Press. 

The report - known as the national security memorandum - was pushed by President Joe Biden's Democrats in Congress.

When agreed to back in February, defence and state departments were tasked to conduct "an assessment of any credible reports or allegations that such defence articles and, defence services, have been used in a manner not consistent with international law, including international humanitarian law".

They were also obliged to tell Congress if they thought Israel has acted to "arbitrarily to deny, restrict, or otherwise impede, directly or indirectly," delivery of any US-supported humanitarian aid into Gaza for starving civilians there.

It follows the US pausing a shipment of 3,500 bombs heading for Israel over concern they would be used in an offensive on Rafah.

The conclusions of the memorandum are expected to be sharply critical of Israel, but will not state that Israel violated terms of weapons agreements between the two countries. 

A senior Biden administration official said the full report is expected to be released later today, but declined to comment on its conclusions.

Palestinians in Rafah are still preparing to evacuate the eastern parts of the city amid the threat of an Israeli ground offensive. 

The United Nations estimates around 110,000 Palestinians have already fled in search of safety. 

In the latest pictures from the city, a tent camp where people are currently living is seen. 

In one of the images, people appear to have started to make piles of their belongings as they get ready to evacuate. 

South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to order additional emergency measures against Israel over its attacks on the city of Rafah, the United Nations top court has said. 

It is part of the ongoing case brought by South Africa in January which accuses Israel of acts of genocide against Palestinians . 

The court - which is located in The Hague in the Netherlands - ordered Israel at the beginning of the year to take all measures within its power to prevent genocide.

South Africa wanted the ICJ to implement provisional measures on Israel which would "immediately suspend military operations in and against Gaza" - but the ICJ stopped short of that.

Any decision to impose provisional measures will be "hugely problematic" for the Israeli offensive, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed will continue until all hostages are returned and Hamas is destroyed.

Within the last few hours, the United Nations General Assembly has backed a bid put forward by Palestine for it to become a full agency member.

The vote passed by 143 votes to nine but 25 countries - including the UK - abstained.

In a post on X, the UK at the UN explained why it took the decision to abstain. 

"We are abstaining on this resolution because we believe that the first step towards achieving this goal is resolving the immediate crisis in Gaza," it said.

It said the fastest way to end the conflict is to secure a deal which releases all hostages and allows for a pause in fighting. 

The statement added that the UK remains firmly committed to a two-state solution and recognising a Palestinian state, including in the UN, and should be part of the process to achieving a sustainable ceasefire. 

The US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood gave similar reasons as to why America voted against the bid, saying its vote does not reflect opposition to Palestinian statehood.

"Instead, it is an acknowledgement that statehood will only come from a process that involves direct negotiations between the parties," he said.

What happens next?

For Palestine to become a full UN member, the 15-member UN Security Council will have to vote, and pass, the application.

At the last security council vote in March - which demanded a ceasefire in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan - the US abstained.

The 14 other council members - including Russia, China and the UK - voted in favour.

For now, it remains unclear if or when the security council will vote on Palestine's membership bid.

Hamas has said it will hold talks with leaders of what it called "Palestinian resistance factions" to reconsider its negotiation strategy. 

It said the discussions need to be held due to Benjamin Netanyahu's behaviour, Israeli attacks on places in Rafah and the occupation of the city's border crossing with Egypt.

"Netanyahu and his government are using the negotiations as a cover to attack Rafah and occupy the crossing, and continue the war of extermination against our people, and they bear full responsibility for obstructing reaching an agreement," the statement said. 

Earlier this week, Hamas said they expressed agreement over a ceasefire deal following a phone call with Qatar's prime minister and Egypt's intelligence minister.

Israel later put an end to this, saying it would not accept the deal in its current form, a decision Hamas said today had brought things "back to square one". 

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