travel agency collaboration

Partnerships Are Essential to Growth in the Travel Industry

Connect Worldwide Contributor

The ability to reach audiences, attract awareness, excite interest, and convert it into action can be a significant challenge—particularly in the age of competition for tourism dollars strengthening around the world.

Today the most successful companies build bridges, and the selection of strategic partners with whom to collaborate is becoming more and more important.

Partnership is usually defined as a voluntary collaborative agreement between two or more parties in which all participants agree to work together to achieve a common purpose or undertake a specific task and to share risks, responsibilities, resources, competencies and benefits. Partnerships are what enable many travel companies to grow . By sharing with others, hotel companies, airlines, cruise lines, destinations and car rental companies can direct resources and capabilities to revenue improvement projects and growth ambitions.

At Connect Worldwide, we believe that meaningful partnerships are the foundation for success. Partnerships are what enable our company and our clients to make continuous improvements. Through these strategic partnerships, we can direct resources and capabilities to generate revenue for our clients.

Connect Worldwide maximizes your destination’s tourism budget by building strategic partnerships and combining marketing efforts into one coherent voice. A like-minded partnership approach to marketing provides greater strength, unity, and leveraged results, which will more effectively market the destination together when compared to individual efforts. We go beyond the traditional partner selection and bring in potential partners from other industries to maximize impact and sustainability.

Connect Worldwide successfully partners with companies such as Choice Hotels , Royal Resorts, Paradores Hoteles, Utell, Las Vegas, Houston, etc. for the development of tourism and hotel revenue and is looking for additional representation partnerships. Recent travel industry partnership examples are Marriott and Cosmopolitan Resort Las Vegas, Pegasus and HP, Southwest and Volaris, Vacation.com and Tauck, Disney and Alamo, United and Air Canada, and British Airways and Iberia.

When two parties leverage their assets, resources, expertise, client base etc. for the mutual benefit of both, partnering results in synergies.  Contact us to learn more.

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How to Partner With Fellow Tour Operators & Thrive

By Kyla Steeves

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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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How to Partner With Other Agencies and Build a Collaborative Relationship

Updated: August 02, 2022

Published: August 18, 2014

Remember the first time you were placed into a group project at school? You were so excited to work alongside your friends, hear their ideas, share the work, and present together. You learned things from them you didn’t know, you figured out how to divide and conquer, you understood that collaborating well would indeed get you that “A.” You also learned that maybe everyone was not as thrilled as you about the prospect of working together. You found out that some people were really best at getting everyone else to do their work. But hey, you’re a grown-up now. A grown-up at an agency where the stakes are higher, your reputation is on the line, and it is the client who will decide your “grade.”

More frequently than ever you will be in a “group project” situation. Why? Marketers are looking for best-in-class solutions with a range of capabilities. One-stop shops continue to be ideal for many projects, but sometimes it is the ability to tap into multiple sources of expertise that is the successful answer.

Collaboration between multiple agencies isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Along the way there may be a few bumps; overlapping capabilities, different financial goals, and even egos can make collaboration and integration a full time job on its own. But, with the right goals, approach, clear accountabilities and willing partners, it can be done – and done well. Our agency has both led and collaborated with many integrated agency teams, so we have a unique perspective on what it takes to foster collaboration.

Here are some questions to ask yourself and a guide for “playing well with others.”

What’s the ultimate goal of collaboration among agencies?

Aligning all agency partners to delivering the ultimate business objective is the most important aspect of collaboration. Knowing and having a common goal unifies an integrated team more powerfully than anything else and drives accountability across the team. This ensures each agency partner thinks and works beyond results specific to their discipline, in service of the broader business objective.

And interestingly, when all partners are working to achieve a common result, we’ve repeatedly found that the egos diminish and the best thinking and solutions emerge.

Why would you want multiple agencies instead of an “all in one?”

To get the best.

While most agencies do have a wide variety of services that often meet all of client’s needs, the more likely fact is that we are expert in a few things and growing in everything else. Hiring agencies that are best-in-class in their given discipline and integrating them with other best-in-class partners actually makes collaboration easier and smoother. We often take a “best idea wins” approach when working with our clients’ integrated partner agencies to building CXM strategies, knowing that we might not execute our winning ideas if they fall outside our swim lane.

What’s the best approach as a client to foster agency collaboration?

Determine who quarterback is, and make sure all partners are aware.

All of the integrated partner agency relationships we’ve seen fall into one of two models:

• Client plays the quarterback
• Lead agency plays the quarterback

Of course there are pros and cons with both models, so to determine which model is best for your organization, you need to consider a few factors:

Your internal resource capacity

Playing quarterback is a job all on its own, especially if there are more than two agency partners. Project kickoffs, weekly status meetings, integrated execution, post-campaign analysis, and optimization all require coordination on strategic and tactical levels. This can be extremely time consuming.

Your internal department structure

The structure of your team will help determine if the client team or the lead agency should play quarterback. If your team is heavily centralized and integrated, rather than decentralized and organized into autonomous units, then playing quarterback for all your agency partners will likely come as second nature. If you have autonomous disciplines, who have likely each hired their specialist, best-in-class agency on their own terms, it might be best to have a “lead” agency play quarterback as they often have a broad understanding of each agency partner’s perspective.

Your organization’s past experience playing quarterback

This is fairly straightforward, but if you and your team have never integrated multiple partner agencies in the past, then it’s probably best to identify one “lead” partner agency with a track record of past experience, and task them with playing quarterback for all the agency partners.

Your desired level of control

Clearly this is much more subjective and specific to your organization. It requires an honest assessment and self-awareness of your comfort level relinquishing control to a lead agency, or not. And it also requires genuine trust in the agency you ask to play quarterback. Enabling these two elements helps ensure that tasking one of your agency partners to play quarterback will last for the long run.

Regardless of the approach you use to foster collaboration, there are three key qualities to look for in all of your agency partners. These should feel like they are core to the DNA and day-to-day operations of each agency:

• Your agency partners should live for, and be focused on, the best ideas that drive results — regardless who came up with them.
• Self-awareness of key strengths and the role each plays on the integrated team.
• Works with other agency partners proactively without client direction/mandate to collaborate, come up with big ideas, and execute them.

Like any relationship, fostering collaboration among multiple agencies requires effort, open communication, clear goals, and metrics — and clear direction. But the effort always pays off big and produces results. Just like that “A” you got on the group project in school. And who knows, you might have some fun along the way and form long, deep relationships with both clients and other partner agencies that lead to great work year after year.

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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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Collaboration Thrives in Travel & Tourism

The travel and tourism industry was indisputably one of the hardest hit during the past two years. Staying in business meant being innovative, flexible and responsive to change. To be successful, it also meant a willingness to collaborate, sometimes with a perceived competitor. Connecting and embracing collaboration with others in the industry, despite being in lockdown, ultimately allowed many travel professionals to stay afloat during the most challenging of times.

Blending knowledge, experiences, and sometimes budgets, can result in outcomes that far exceed the results from working in silos. The travel, tourism and hospitality industry may still have years before returning to its pre-pandemic level of travel. But these travel professionals have used innovative collaboration models to propel them forward during recovery.

Making Industry Connections

Travel Alliance Partners, LLC (TAP) is in its 21st year of connecting tour operators, destinations, attractions and corporate service providers. During a time of economic decline, founder Serge Talbot, President of Talbot Tours, recognized the need for tour operators to collaborate. Putting aside the natural competitiveness among companies, TAP developed a model with tour operators buying and selling from one another. This created significant buying power as a company. A buying power of a combined $75 million in annual sales. This buying power then led to discount and rebate agreements with hotels, insurance providers, cruise lines and more. The competitors not only grew their own businesses, but, reaped rewards with additional revenue in the form of rebates.

New collaboration opportunities developed as the TAP tour operators elevated the value of suppliers to  their success. Recognizing suppliers (destinations and attractions) as integral to creating inspiring itineraries, TAP created an annual travel conference called TAP Dance. This innovative conference brought new travel ideas to the tour operators and resulted in more visitors to the destinations. It solidified the TAP collaboration model emphasizing the importance of these relationships. Now you can even catch suppliers and TAP Tour Operators hosting TAP travel webinars together. 

The next obvious collaboration for TAP was with travel buyers. TAP developed a program where travel buyers from across the country could sell TAP travel product on their own website; ultimately giving the travel buyer the opportunity to expand their own product portfolio.

The TAP model of collaboration helped tour operators, suppliers and travel buyers weather the pandemic and prepare them for pent-up demand.

Local Communities Collaborate

Traditionally, tourism entities and community economic development organizations have existed in silos. Exceptions to that are becoming more prevalent as more people recognize the value of collaboration. Annette Rummel, CEO at Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau, is a master at building partnerships. Annette recognized the value in collaboration and with her colleagues created the Great Lakes Bay Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau from three county CVBs. Along with that, she created a model detailing how her regional CVB aligns with the regional chamber of commerce. Each of the regional CVBs still maintains control over tourism development while the regional CVB focuses on marketing initiatives. This approach resulted in each county saving 85% in overhead costs. Annette’s key advice for those interested in collaboration: be proactive; don’t wait for invitations.

Hear more of Annette’s story in her Destination on the Left podcast episode, Building Successful Partnerships.  

Dynamic Destinations Collaborate

One of the key criteria for identifying a successful collaboration is typically commonality . Todd Stallbaumer, Consumer and Trade Marketing Direction for Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, participates in a collaborative group. He and several industry colleagues call their group Dynamic Destinations. These creative travel professionals collaborate based on commonality in the usual areas that come to mind with tourism. It formed from an unlikely grouping of DMOs and attractions at the onset of the pandemic. This group met daily on Zoom to stay connected, share challenges and collaborate on working through ideas and developing solutions.

This group of about six remain and have now attended travel shows together as an entity, cross-marketing one other. They have found a way to complement their competition. By identifying ways these Dynamic Destinations are different and stand out; and not necessarily better, they create a different experience. These six destinations would traditionally not have tours that would include one another in one trip. They’ve found that if they can get a visitor to any of the destinations, they can refer them to one of the other five for these common factors:

• They are close to a bigger competitor or name geographically. For example, the proximity of Maryland to Washington, D.C.
• The destination is often a value-added destination to a larger attraction or city.
• In all cases, traveler feedback for these destinations is that the experience far exceeds the expectations.

They hold group virtual sales calls using the rationale that some areas may have better partnerships with certain tour companies. All six participate on the call to talk about their destinations. They found that tour planners love getting ideas for six diverse destinations in just 30 minutes.

Tips for Successful Collaborations:

• Leave egos out of the group
• Establish expectations up-front
• Be proactive in seeking collaboration partners, don’t wait to be invited
• Identify a communication strategy that is effective for all involved
• Look for connection beyond the obvious commonality

Get more tips for successful collaborations when you take this 1-question quiz .

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Collaboration Toolkit

Our first research study confirmed that collaboration is a constant in the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. It is not a matter of if, but when and how, organizations will collaborate together. Our latest study reveals how organizations are putting collaboration into operation and how they are setting up systems and processes so that collaboration becomes a strategic part of the organization.

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Collaboration of Agents and Suppliers

In the competitive travel industry, successful destinations rely on collaboration between agents and suppliers. This collaboration plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional travel experiences, attracting more visitors, and driving destination success. By working together, agents and suppliers can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to create a seamless and unforgettable journey for travellers.

In this comprehensive article, we will explore the power of collaboration between agents and suppliers in the travel industry. We will delve into the benefits, challenges, and best practices for effective collaboration. By understanding the importance of this partnership, travel businesses can unlock new opportunities, enhance customer satisfaction, and achieve long-term success. So, let’s embark on this exciting journey of collaboration and discover how it drives destination success!

Collaboration is the key to unlocking the true potential of the travel industry. When agents and suppliers join forces, they can create a synergy that results in exceptional travel experiences. This collaboration involves sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise to design and deliver seamless travel itineraries that leave a lasting impression on customers.

Travel agents act as the bridge between travellers and suppliers. They are experts in understanding customer preferences, curating personalized itineraries, and managing logistics. On the other hand, suppliers, including hotels, airlines, tour operators, and transportation companies, provide the essential services and products needed to fulfil these itineraries.

By collaborating effectively, agents and suppliers can align their efforts, streamline operations, and enhance the overall customer experience. Let’s dive deeper into the various aspects of collaboration and how they contribute to destination success.

The Benefits of Collaboration in the Travel Industry

Collaboration between agents and suppliers brings forth a multitude of benefits that drive destination success. Let’s explore some of the key advantages this partnership offers:

Enhanced Customer Experiences :

By working together, agents and suppliers can create seamless travel experiences that exceed customer expectations. Agents gain access to a wide range of quality suppliers, allowing them to offer diverse options and tailor-made itineraries to their clients’ needs. This collaboration ensures that every aspect of the journey, from accommodation to transportation and activities, aligns with the traveller’s preferences.

Expanded Product Offerings :

Suppliers rely on agents to promote their products and services effectively. By collaborating, suppliers can tap into the agents’ expertise and extensive customer base, reaching a larger audience. This partnership allows suppliers to showcase their offerings and stand out in a highly competitive market.

Cost and Resource Optimization :

Collaboration enables agents and suppliers to pool their resources, reducing costs and increasing efficiency. Agents can negotiate better rates and exclusive deals with suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing for their customers. Suppliers, in turn, benefit from the increased business volume generated by agents.

Market Insights and Trends :

Agents are well-connected with customers and have valuable insights into their preferences and travel trends. By collaborating, suppliers gain access to these market insights, enabling them to align their offerings with the latest trends and customer demands. This knowledge helps suppliers stay competitive and adapt to changing market dynamics.

Trust and Reputation Building :

When agents and suppliers collaborate, they form a network of trusted partners. This collaboration builds trust and credibility among customers, who can rely on the combined expertise and reputation of both the agent and supplier. Trust is a fundamental element in customer satisfaction and loyalty, leading to destination success.

Streamlined Operations :

Collaboration between agents and suppliers streamlines the travel booking process and operational workflows. Seamless communication and coordination between both parties ensure efficient delivery of services, reducing errors and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

Challenges in Collaboration and How to Overcome Them

While collaboration brings numerous benefits, it also presents certain challenges that need to be addressed. By proactively tackling these challenges, agents and suppliers can strengthen their collaboration and achieve greater success. Let’s explore some common challenges and effective strategies to overcome them:

Communication and Information Sharing :

Effective collaboration requires open and transparent communication between agents and suppliers. However, differences in communication styles, time zones, and language barriers can hinder this process. To overcome this challenge, utilizing collaboration tools, establishing regular communication channels, and promoting cultural understanding are essential.

Maintaining Mutual Goals and Expectations :

Agents and suppliers should align their goals and expectations to ensure a mutually beneficial collaboration. Clear communication of expectations, defining key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular performance reviews help maintain a shared vision and drive success.

Managing Competition :

Collaboration between agents and suppliers sometimes involves navigating a competitive landscape. Suppliers may have agreements with multiple agents, and agents may have access to various suppliers. Balancing competition with cooperation requires trust, effective conflict resolution, and maintaining clear boundaries and agreements.

Technology Integration :

Integrating different technology platforms and systems used by agents and suppliers can be a challenge. Compatibility issues and data synchronization can hamper the seamless flow of information. Investing in technology solutions that streamline processes and promote integration can help overcome these challenges.

Building Long-Term Relationships :

Collaboration thrives on strong, long-term relationships. Agents and suppliers should invest time and effort in building trust, fostering regular communication, and nurturing the partnership. Regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and mutual support contribute to a strong collaborative foundation.

Ensuring Compliance and Quality :

Agents must ensure that the suppliers they collaborate with meet the necessary legal and quality standards. Regular audits, certifications and ongoing monitoring help maintain compliance and ensure consistent quality across the entire travel experience.

By addressing these challenges head-on, agents and suppliers can foster a collaborative environment that maximizes the benefits and minimizes the obstacles, leading to destination success.

Collaboration between agents and suppliers benefits travellers by providing them with personalized travel experiences, access to a wide range of quality products and services, competitive pricing, and seamless coordination throughout their journey. This collaboration ensures that travellers’ preferences and needs are met, leading to enhanced satisfaction and memorable experiences.

Travel agents act as intermediaries between travellers and suppliers. They leverage their expertise and relationships with suppliers to curate tailored travel itineraries. Agents handle the logistics, accommodation, transportation, and activities, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable travel experience for their clients. They also negotiate with suppliers to secure the best deals and exclusive offers for travellers.

Suppliers benefit from collaborating with agents by gaining access to a larger customer base, increased visibility and promotion of their offerings, and enhanced market insights. Agents act as valuable distribution channels for suppliers, showcasing their products and services to a wider audience. This collaboration helps suppliers expand their reach, build brand reputation, and drive business growth.

Successful collaboration between agents and suppliers requires effective communication, mutual understanding, shared goals, and trust. Clear and open lines of communication, regular feedback, and collaboration tools facilitate seamless coordination. Both parties should have a shared vision and work towards common goals, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship.

Overcoming competition and conflicts in collaboration involves maintaining clear boundaries, open communication, and effective conflict-resolution strategies. Establishing agreements, defining roles and responsibilities, and emphasizing the importance of the partnership over individual competition contribute to harmonious collaboration.

To collaborate effectively, agents and suppliers should: >Establish clear and open lines of communication >Share information, market insights, and trends >Define mutual goals and expectations >Invest in technology solutions for seamless integration >Regularly review performance and provide feedback >Foster long-term relationships and trust >Ensure compliance and quality standards are met

Collaboration between agents and suppliers is the cornerstone of destination success in the travel industry. By working together, agents and suppliers can deliver exceptional customer experiences, expand product offerings, optimize resources, and build trust and reputation. Overcoming challenges, aligning goals, and adopting effective collaboration strategies are crucial for achieving long-term success. As the travel industry continues to evolve, the power of collaboration remains a driving force that unlocks new opportunities and elevates the travel experiences of customers worldwide.

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Exploring Actionable Steps to Boost Your Travel Agency Growth through Strategic Collaboration with a Host Agency

Introduction

Stepping into the world of travel can be an exciting yet challenging conquest. With the thrill of exploring new places and culture comes the responsibility of creating a seamless experience for your clients. If you're a travel agent, attaining and sustaining growth in your agency requires a strategic plan and calculated steps. It's here that a host agency, like Gateway Travel, can make a significant difference.

Understanding the Role of Host Agencies

Host agencies are essentially larger organizations that offer support and resources to independent travel agents or agencies. They help you manage your logistical tasks and administrative needs, which allows you to focus fully on growing your agency and cater to your client's specific needs.

Why Choose a Host Agency?

If you're an independent travel agent or a smaller agency, collaborating with a host agency has its own set of incredible benefits. These collaborations can provide you with better commissions, expert training, advanced technology, marketing support, and, most importantly, a strong network of industry connections that can aid in your overall agency's growth.

Actionable Steps towards Travel Agency Growth

Let’s explore some of the potential ways Gateway Travel, as a host agency, can help you amplify your agency's growth:

1. Enhanced Commissions

With your strategic collaboration with Gateway Travel, you get the opportunity to have higher commission rates without the stress of having to build connections with suppliers. This is a win-win situation – you get more commission for your bookings, thus leading to increased profit margins and growth.

2. Expert Training

The travel industry is constantly evolving and to stay ahead of the game, you need constant and updated training. A host agency can provide frequent training sessions and workshops to guide you through the latest trends, strategies, and technologies in the travel industry.

3. Advanced Technology

In an era fueled by cutting-edge technology, capitalizing on advanced software and applications can significantly streamline your operations. A host agency provides you with access to these resources, thus helping you enhance your service offerings and elevate your client experience.

4. Marketing Support

In this competitive industry, having a robust marketing strategy can separate the leaders from the followers. Host agencies have a specialized marketing team that provides relevant and effective marketing support. From creative collateral to social media strategy, they cover it all to ensure your agency is out there, reaching the right audience.

5. Networking Opportunities

The sheer number of connections you can make through a host agency is invaluable. These connections can help you access better rates, services, itineraries that you might not be able to offer on your own. This, in turn, helps in retaining your clients and enhancing your reputation in the industry.

Navigating Success with Gateway Travel

Stepping onto a strategic collaboration with our host agency, Gateway Travel, is your ticket to unlocking a world of immense potential. With our comprehensive support system, advanced tools, stellar marketing strategies, and a host of other benefits , we aim to not just help you grow your travel agency, but also redefine success.

Gateway Travel, with its honorable reputation in the industry and dedication to its partnered agencies, proves to be a promising choice in your journey to achieve robust growth and prosperity.

Through time, with the right steps and strategies, your travel agency will flourish. The road to growth is never trouble-free. However, a strategic collaboration with a reliable host agency is one step that holds the potential to transform your courses into success. So, set out on your exploration, take actionable steps towards your growth, and let Gateway Travel accompany you on this exciting journey!

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Collaborative tourism: what are collaborative travel relationships?

Unlike the relationships forged by capitalism, collaborative tourism offers new ways of producing, helping, sharing and saving.

Jan 27, 2024

What is a sharing economy?

According to Investopedia , the sharing economy is an economic model defined as a peer-to-peer based activity of acquiring, providing, or sharing access to goods and services that is often facilitated by a community-based on-line platform .

Sharing economies can consist consists of exchanges that are not necessarily financial but still advantageous for both sides involved.

An example of a sharing economy would be offering a ride in exchange for help paying with gas. Both the passenger and the driver save money on the costs of their trips. Rental bikes are also a good example.

This new way of exchanging goods and services has given rise to the  collaborative tourism movement , which aims to change the idea that traveling is just for a few privileged people. 

Doing a work exchange allows you to trade work for accommodation around the world. This is an easy way to travel on a budget and cut the costs of a trip, as well as have an immersive, authentic travel experience.

What is collaborative tourism?

Collaborative tourism is the built on the principle of exchange . Traveling by exchanging skills for accommodation and other advantages is the most common example of collaborative tourism.

The concept is simple: you work abroad , volunteer in a social impact program , or help an eco project  and in return, you get free accommodation. Some hosts offer other benefits such as meals, laundry, bicycles, yoga classes, and more.

How do collaborative relationships work?

Collaborative relationships allow people to exchange goods or services without necessarily involving money , often while helping others. This type of relationship is based on empathy and contributes to the development of others and our evolution as a whole.

In short, collaborative relationships are team-based!

At  Worldpackers , collaborative relationships work as follows: the host — be it a hostel, NGO, sustainable community, or any other kind of project — needs someone to help with simple tasks, and the traveler needs a place to stay for some time without spending a lot of money. 

Done! Perfect match! The host has someone to help and the traveler has a free place to stay!

It is important to remember that a collaborative tourism trip has no connection with labor or paid, contracted relationships . When it comes to an employment relationship, it is necessary to have a contract, an agreement about wage and working hours, and depending on the country, a specific (work) visa.

In a collaborative relationship  there is no employment contract, the hours are no more than 30 per week and the connection between host and volunteer is one of friendship, not that of boss and employee.

Why is Worldpackers more than just a low-cost travel alternative?

Being able to travel without paying for accommodation is definitely an advantage, especially if we consider that lodging is one of the highest costs in a  traveler's budget . 

But the collaborative relationship between travelers and hosts is not just about saving money .

Advantages go beyond saving money while traveling since there is also the opportunity to evolve as a person and broaden your horizons. 

The Worldpackers travel experience allows you to meet people from all over the world, learn a language naturally while traveling , develop new skills, get to know a destination like a local , and fully immerse in the culture .

I hope this article has helped you better understand collaborative relationships , collaborative tourism , and how Worldpackers can help  you explore this new way of traveling, sharing, and evolving.

If you have any questions, let us know in the comments!

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Luiza Delanieze

Jornalista e passarinho! Viajar, conhecer novas culturas e me conectar com novas pessoas e experiências é o que me move!

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Write here your questions and greetings to the author

Jan 15, 2019

Can i get the time to hanging out while staying there?!

Luiza (Author)

Feb 06, 2019

Sure! You only work a few hours per week. :)

May 19, 2023

Thank you, Luiza. useful information, keep it up.. Love & peace

Sep 30, 2023

Collaborative tourism embraces innovative travel relationships where tourists engage directly with locals, fostering authentic cultural exchanges. It transforms traditional dynamics, turning travelers into active participants and hosts into ambassadors. Imagine a scenario where tourists collaborate with locals to curate personalized experiences, akin to hiring a magician to hire unveil hidden wonders. These relationships redefine travel, creating meaningful connections and unforgettable memories, shaping a new era of tourism rooted in shared experiences and mutual understanding.

Jan 16, 2024

I want to Travel with honest girl

More about this topic

How to volunteer abroad using Worldpackers

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As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

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With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Efficient Social Media Client Collaboration With SocialPilot

The effectiveness of your client collaboration defines the success of the project. Better client collaboration leads to fruitful ideas, getting things done faster, and growth for both parties.

The global business process outsourcing industry has a projected phenomenal compound annual growth rate of 9.4% annually until 2030. Client collaboration is familiar in the business world, as it has been the go-to solution for flexible and cost-efficient services. Companies often collaborate with other agencies for marketing projects, IT solutions, audits, etc.

Whether it is a long-term or short-term relationship, agency collaboration can be challenging. The issues of poor communication, unclear goals, distrust, and poor feedback are prevalent, especially in fast-moving industries. However, you can clear the hurdles by implementing a result-driven strategy, as outlined in this article.

These strategies range from establishing clear communication channels to building trust and addressing challenges promptly. They are simple enough to implement for small or large businesses. With that in mind, let’s review what this collaboration entails before hitting the road with strategies.

Understanding Client Collaboration and Agency Collaboration

At its core, client and agency collaboration is about symbiosis – two entities working together for mutual benefit . On one end, we have the client, seeking to leverage external expertise to reach their goals, and on the other, the providing agency, keen on applying their skills and resources to assist the client. Let’s delve a little deeper into these terms:

Client Collaboration:

When a company partners with a client, it steps into a collaborative relationship where each party’s roles and responsibilities are defined with the sole purpose of achieving the client’s objectives. The duration of this collaboration can vary – it could be a short-term project or a long-lasting partnership.

Let’s take social media management as an example. As businesses scramble to keep pace with the rapid evolution of social media, they often seek the help of external experts. This is where client collaboration comes in – a company hires a social media management team to apply their specific skill set and experience in this fast-growing field.

Agency Collaboration:

This type of collaboration is more akin to a partnership, often involving multiple agencies working together, pooling their resources and expertise. The objective could be to foster innovation or tackle a challenging problem.

An excellent example of this is the collaboration between Pepsi and Peeps . In 2021, beverage giant PepsiCo and iconic marshmallow brand Peeps collaborated to produce a limited-edition marshmallow cola for the spring season. The partnership combined Pepsi’s beverage expertise with Peeps’ beloved flavor, creating a unique product that excited their consumer base. The collaboration was a hit, leading to its renewal in 2023.

This exemplifies how brands can innovate through collaboration, leveraging each other’s strengths to offer unique experiences to their customers.

Importance of Collaboration

Collaborations are not formed arbitrarily. If a company has the in-house resources to reach its goals, it typically won’t seek external help. Collaborations are born out of a need for specific expertise or resources. The hiring company not only benefits from the specialized knowledge of the hired team but also their unique approach to problem-solving .

Sometimes, collaborations are formed to augment an existing team. For instance, a company with a small IT team might collaborate with an IT agency to develop a new website. The possibilities are wide-ranging, from creating social media templates to implementing high-end IT solutions.

Cost-effectiveness is another key advantage of collaboration. Setting up an in-house team with the necessary equipment for a project can be more expensive than outsourcing it, especially for long-term projects.

In addition, collaborations can enhance team engagement. Forbes reported a 64% higher retention rate for tasks accomplished through collaborations. Participants also reported lower levels of fatigue and stress.

Key Elements of Successful Client and Agency Collaboration

A successful collaboration goes beyond a signed contract and handshakes. Certain elements need to be in place for the collaboration to truly bear fruit:

• Clear Scope Success begins when both parties understand the goals of the project. That means having a clear scope of what needs to be done and the extent of execution. The client often sets the scope, but the agency can advise based on the project.
• Clear Communication Regardless of how comprehensive the written terms are, verbal communication remains paramount. Regular team meetings keep both parties in the loop, fostering understanding.
• Regular Reporting Reports show progress but can also highlight challenges. Agencies must keep the clients updated with the latest developments in the project. This helps the clients identify if the gain is in the right direction and on schedule.
• Trust Micromanaging signals a lack of trust in the agency’s ability to deliver. Building trust is essential for a smooth and successful collaboration. For instance, if a client wants to expand their social media presence, they need to trust the agency’s understanding of social media algorithms and strategies. Trust enables the client to step back and let the agency do what they do best – in this case, boost the client’s online presence.

Interesting read: 12 Crucial Social Media Metrics to Track In 2023

8 Strategies for Successful Client Collaboration and Agency Collaboration

While we strive to cover as much ground as possible, these strategies are not do-it-alls. Some things might be specific to your type of collaboration. View these strategies as stepping stones to build upon.

1. Establish Clear Communication Channels

In any collaboration, it’s not just about talking, it’s about making sure what’s said is understood. Clear and effective communication is pivotal in ensuring all parties involved understand their roles, the project’s goals, and the progress being made.

Clear communication can be achieved by setting up routine team meetings, creating dedicated channels for project discussions, and making sure everyone knows who they should report to . Regular updates and check-ins can help prevent misunderstandings and keep the project moving in the right direction. It’s also important to establish a culture where everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions and concerns.

2. Set Clear Goals and Expectations

Clear and well defined goals and expectations are vital for collaboration successfully. They provide the project”s roadmap, outline what needs to be achieved, by whom, and when.

Everyone involved should understand the project’s objectives and their individual roles and responsibilities in achieving them. This involves defining work scope for each participant, preventing confusion, and ensuring there’s no overlap of duties.

Additionally, goals should must be clear but also realistic, measurable, and aligned with the overall strategy of the organizations involved . As the project progresses, these goals may need to be adjusted in response to new challenges, opportunities, or changing circumstances.

This is a natural part of the collaboration process and should not be viewed negatively. Instead, it’s crucial to communicate these changes effectively to all parties involved, ensuring everyone remains on the same page and adjusts their expectations accordingly. Regular check-ins and progress reviews can help ensure that everyone stays aligned and that the project remains on track .

3. Foster Transparency and Trust

Trust and transparency are the cornerstones of any successful collaboration. Both elements involve honesty, open communication, and a commitment to meeting obligations. Trust is built when all parties demonstrate reliability, consistently fulfilling their responsibilities, and delivering on their promises . It’s about creating a safe environment where everyone can depend on each other to do their part.

Transparency involves being open about everything – resources, progress, challenges, successes, and failures. It requires sharing relevant information in a timely and accurate manner, which in turn helps to build trust . All parties should have a clear understanding of where the project stands at any given time and what resources are available.

However, trust can be fragile, and any form of scandal or mistrust can be detrimental to the collaboration, as exemplified by the breakdown in the relationship between Home Depot and Richards Group followed by the latter’s racist remarks.

Therefore, maintaining transparency and fostering trust should be a continual effort throughout the collaboration. Regular, honest communication, meeting commitments, and acting with integrity are all key to nurturing and preserving trust.

4. Utilize Collaboration Tools and Software

Leveraging the right collaboration tools and software is crucial for efficient and effective teamwork . These tools, distinct from communication channels like email or chat apps, facilitate task management, file sharing, and project tracking. Tools like Asana, Trello, and Basecamp are excellent for managing tasks and workflows, keeping everyone updated on project progress, and ensuring deadlines are met.

Automation tools like Zapier and IFTTT can also be employed to streamline repetitive tasks, freeing up time for more strategic work. For file sharing and storage, cloud-based services like Google Drive and Dropbox provide secure, accessible spaces for team members to access necessary documents and information.

For projects specific to social media management, tools like SocialPilot can be a game-changer.

The tool not only allows for easy team member onboarding and role assignments but also provides features for secure analytics sharing, a content calendar for strategy planning, and a streamlined approval process. For businesses needing more customized solutions, white-label options can provide the necessary flexibility.

Additionally, with the ‘ Collaborate on Drafts ‘ update , teams can seamlessly work together on content creation in real-time, ensuring ideas are shared, refined, and implemented efficiently.

5. Encourage Feedback and Iteration

Feedback is the lifeblood of any successful project, providing valuable insights into what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change . In a client-agency collaboration, both sides should feel comfortable providing and receiving feedback. This two-way communication loop allows for continuous improvement and alignment with project goals.

Iteration, the process of refining and improving solutions based on feedback, is particularly critical in areas like IT and product development . The collaboration between Xiaomi and Leica Camera is a perfect example of this.

Their partnership resulted in multiple software iterations and new hardware for the Xiaomi 13 Ultra, indicating a healthy feedback and iteration cycle that led to improved product offerings.

In essence, fostering a culture of feedback and iterative development not only enhances the final product or solution but also strengthens the collaborative relationship by promoting open communication and shared learning.

6. Establish a Positive Collaborative Culture

Cultivating a positive culture within a client collaboration and agency collaboration is fundamental. A positive collaborative culture is one where team members are enthusiastic, motivated, and feel a genuine sense of belonging and purpose . It’s an environment that fosters mutual respect, open communication, and shared responsibility.

Creating such a culture requires deliberate effort. It involves setting the tone for collaboration from the get-go, encouraging team members to share ideas freely, respecting diverse viewpoints, and celebrating milestones and successes together . It also means addressing conflicts or issues constructively and promptly to maintain trust and rapport among the team.

The importance of a positive culture is evident in the case of Ye and Gap’s partnership . Their collaboration ended in 2022 due to Gap’s failure to sell Yeezy products in its namesake stores. Despite Gap’s hope that the partnership would help revive its declining standing in the fashion industry, the lack of a supportive and positive culture led to its dissolution.

Interesting read: 8 Ways to Nail Social Media Collaboration Within Your Marketing Team

7. Ensure Accountability and Responsibility

In any collaborative effort, maintaining a clear sense of accountability and responsibility is paramount. Each party involved should understand their roles and be ready to fulfill their obligations in a timely and efficient manner . This involves setting clear expectations, assigning tasks thoughtfully, and tracking progress regularly.

A shining example of this is the collaboration between Apple and IBM in 2014. The two tech giants came together, each with distinct responsibilities, to to bring IBM’s big data and analytics capabilities to iPhone and iPad, leading to successful outcomes.

8. Address Challenges Promptly

Challenges and roadblocks are inevitable in any project, but it’s how you respond that makes a difference. Addressing issues promptly and constructively can prevent minor hiccups from escalating into major problems. It’s essential to maintain an open dialogue, encourage problem-solving attitudes, and provide support to overcome challenges.

In the dynamic and interconnected world of business, client and agency collaboration is more than a necessity; it’s a strategic tool.

When executed properly, it unlocks innovation, optimizes resource use, and drives growth. This requires clear communication, defined goals, transparency, the right tools, feedback mechanisms, a positive culture, accountability, and prompt problem-solving. The journey may be challenging, but the rewards are worth it.

So, embrace collaboration, nurture it with the right strategies, and reap the benefits of a successful partnership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who sets goals in client collaboration?

The client establishes the goals of the project. However, the agency can refine the goals and milestones based on its experience in the field.

Which tools are used in client and agency collaboration?

Asana, Trello, SocialPilot, and Basecamp are famous management tools for team collaboration. Also, Google Drive and Dropbox can be used for cloud storage and file sharing.

How often should clients receive reports in agency collaboration?

There is no fixed frequency. The key is to establish an adequate, but not manageable, schedule. Even so, the client ultimately decides how often it should be updated.

What happens if one party defaults in client collaboration?

If one party defaults on their obligations, the partnership or contract can be terminated. The consequences of default depend on the specific terms outlined in the agreement and can range from financial penalties to legal action.

Why do I need client collaboration?

Partnerships can be necessary for company growth, as they prove your ability to deliver short-term and long-term projects. Also, it allows you to outsource aspects outside your expertise.

About the Author

With his knowledge of marketing and business strategy, love for staying ahead of the curve, and ability to execute effective marketing solutions, Andrew Maffetone created BlueTuskr , a team of specialized experts dedicated to the growth and success of e-commerce sellers.

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In the attempt to shape the future of global travel industry, our company joined efforts with key travel industry players, entering together into strategic partnerships, with the goal of sharing further our know-how, expertise and visionary thinking with our worldwide customers. These global partnerships will allow all the parties involved to fully support the core components of travel agencies in a collaborative environment and with integrated tools and strategies.

Amadeus Partnership

dcs plus and Amadeus have joined together in a partnership back in 2006. As strategic partners, Amadeus and dcs plus aim to enter new markets with combined offers and strategies, helping the travel industry players improve their overall business by providing solutions suitable for their needs.

Sabre Partnership

The partnership between dcs plus and Sabre demonstrates how travel industry expertise and knowledge in the travel technology field can combine to create exciting and innovative opportunities having the potential to improve the business operations of our mutual customers.

Travelport Partnership

This is a strategic partnership for our joint customers, allowing us to better serve and support their individual projects. Our common goal is to deliver innovation through collaboration in a challenging and dynamic travel environment.

Lufthansa Direct Connect

dcs plus is one of the first companies that became a Direct Connect Technology Partner of the Lufthansa Group; thus, dcs plus technology connects directly with the Lufthansa Group Inventory, providing users with access to the exclusive offers of all the group's airlines: Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and SWISS.

Emirates Direct Connect

dcs plus has developed a new Direct Connect option in IRIX booking system, providing the travel agencies with direct access to Emirates’ inventory.  Through this new NDC compliant communication link, more than 350,000 travel professionals in over 45 markets can benefit of a flexible and transparent access to Emirate’s full content, including schedules, fares, availability, special offers and ancillary services.  

Hotelbeds Partnership

We're pleased to extend our collaboration through our Preferred Partner Program with our longstanding partners from Hotelbeds, with whom we've maintained a strong partnership for more than a decade. dcs plus & Hotelbeds blend of technology and travel content solutions serve as a reliable support for growth, enabling our mutual customers to unlock their full potential while experiencing a completely optimized experience.

WebBeds Partnership

Our strong partnership, which spans over a decade, has been a cornerstone of our success. Building upon the global alliance between dcs plus and WebBeds, our goal is to elevate our current collaboration to the status of a preferred partnership. This move is driven by our commitment to enhancing the value we offer to our shared customer base.

Go Global Partnership

We are happy to announce extending our collaboration through this program with our partners from Go Global Travel.  with whom we are engaged in a strong partnership for over a decade. Given the global partnership between dcs plus and Go Global Travel, our objective is to extend our current collaboration into a preferred partnership, with the aim of providing added value to our shared customer base.

TBO Partnership

In the light of the dcs plus global - TBO strong partnership, we aim to expand our current collaboration into a preferred partnership, with the goal of delivering enhanced value to our shared customer base by delivering cutting-edge technology and content solutions.

Radius Travel 

dcs plus has partnered up with Radius Travel in order to bring next-generation technology into Radius Travel’s top-class services delivery. dcs plus has been certified with MEF 3.0 Radius CERTIFICATION for technology and communication, and, as a natural step forward, a tech-based partnership has now been opened.

GlobalStar Travel Management 

dcs plus has partnered with GlobalStar Travel Management to empower travel agencies from the network with complete travel technology, from mid-back office system, to travel content aggregation and distribution, corporate self booking tools and B2C platform.

Lufthansa City Center Partnership

dcs plus has partnered up with Hotelmize in order to offer customers better and  more complete search experience in travel booking. Hotelmize is an AI-drive n Trave l techn ology company that allows travel companies to increase their profits by optimizing their purchasing rates post-booking.

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Supercharging Digital Transformation for Travel Agencies and Professionals

RateHawk + Skift

December 20th, 2023 at 10:00 AM EST

For travel agencies to navigate the next evolution of business-to-business travel booking, they need a forward-thinking technology partner that knows how to balance digital innovation with human expertise — especially in an industry known for its resistance to change.

This sponsored content was created in collaboration with a Skift partner.

The travel industry has been in recovery mode for the past few years, with overall global performance finally returning to 2019 levels in 2023 . Driven by a global wave of digital adoption, the online travel sector is growing even more quickly — according to Skift Research , online bookings will reach $666 billion by 2024, 26 percent above 2019 levels.

Although the worst days of the Covid-19 pandemic may be over, several challenges remain — including lingering supply chain issues, erratic fluctuations in demand, economic uncertainty, and new expectations around flexibility and safety. For the online travel sector, fragmented distribution is another persistent challenge, especially in Europe, where the underlying hotel supply is much less branded than in the U.S.

“To thrive in this unpredictable environment, travel agencies and travel management companies (TMCs) need to rethink their operations, reinvent their approach to digital transformation, and stay abreast of shifts in customer preferences, emerging destinations, and changes in industry regulations,” said Felix Shpilman, CEO of Emerging Travel Group, a Dubai-based company that has developed into a major global incremental distribution channel for hotels and chains.

Launched in 2010, Emerging Travel sources inventory to its own platforms — a collection of brands tailored to different audiences, including business-to-consumer users, travel professionals, and corporate travelers — as well as to other companies through API connections. Built for a business-to-business audience, its RateHawk brand is known for its robust technology platform that serves travel agencies and TMCs with user-friendly booking tools.

SkiftX spoke with Shpilman about the challenges facing travel agencies and professionals, the importance of balancing automation with the human touch, and how RateHawk differentiates itself through intuitive user-experience (UX) and user-interface (UI) design, combined with an extensive inventory of accommodations from numerous suppliers.

Navigating the Complexities of Today’s Booking Landscape

While the specific needs of leisure and business travel agencies, TMCs, and travel professionals looking for API booking solutions may be different, “they all earn a living through selling travel and deriving income from booking fees or commissions,” Shpilman said. “They need to continue surfacing relevant booking options with their customers in order to maintain profit margins.”

Surfacing relevant booking options with customers means managing constant fluctuations in pricing, promotions, and availability with real-time updates and synchronization across platforms. The evolving nature of travel preferences and the need for personalized experiences add to this complexity. The core challenge is that agents earn a modest percentage of the massive profits generated by the travel industry — and even before the disruptions caused by the pandemic, leisure travel agencies faced intense competition from business-to-consumer services that focused on discounting.

“Agents cannot compete with business-to-consumer services because of how the structure of the market works at face value,” Shpilman said. “The oligopolistic structure of airline companies further limits agents’ margins, particularly in the business travel segment. On the other hand, no business-to-consumer service has successfully replaced the role of leisure travel agents worldwide.”

This hyper-competitive landscape, coupled with the high cost of travel purchases, poses an enduring obstacle, but agencies should remember that customers will book wherever it’s most profitable and wherever they get the best service. Agencies can level up and provide outstanding service if they have the right digital tools in place.

How Technology Empowers Travel Agents and Professionals

Balancing human-to-human interaction with scaled-up technology services is a delicate act and a common problem across sectors today. In the travel industry, the human touch provided by travel agents remains indispensable, particularly in offering personalized assistance to clients.

There are concerns that a tech-first experience may remove the personal interaction that makes travel special — however, advanced technology can actually enhance the human touch. For example, generative artificial intelligence (AI) can concisely summarize conversations to reduce the time agents and managers spend taking and reviewing notes or sharing context when transferring contacts.

In other words, to paraphrase the sentiment expressed at Skift Global Forum in September , we’re not going to be replaced by AI — we’re going to be replaced by people who know how to use AI. Technology can evolve the role of travel agents, helping them compete with business-to-consumer services and freeing them up to make better and faster decisions.

“I don’t see a world where technology completely replaces the expertise of human travel agents,” Shpilman said. “Automated solutions powered by AI and machine learning will continue to improve, but AI will serve as a co-pilot, helping travelers book more easily and assisting agents to make better proposals. It’s a co-pilot on both sides of the transaction.”

Shpilman’s vision of a future where technology complements — rather than replaces — the expertise of travel agents aligns with the platform’s commitment to building functional and easy-to-use products for travel professionals.

“When we started building our business-to-business products in 2014, most travel agencies were still using text-based global distribution systems (GDS) to make travel bookings,” Shpilman said. “We saw a huge opportunity to reinvent the user interface and add the modern functionality agents need, so we applied our business-to-consumer knowledge toward improving the design and coupled it with an extensive inventory of accommodations from 220 active, optimized supplier connections. Combining this incredible under-the-hood tech with a beautiful platform interface is where RateHawk’s magic comes from.”

The RateHawk platform includes many innovative features that help travel agents conduct business more efficiently, including a Selection Tool designed to enhance service quality and client engagement by simplifying hotel selection and offering customizable templates, seamless booking processes, and branding options. Another feature, pay-by-link , allows agents to process payments directly with clients’ cards or via remote payment links, simplifying transactions and enabling business in various environments.

“These products are in high demand among travel agents, and we are constantly iterating and developing new tools to meet their needs,” Shpilman said.

RateHawk’s Rebranding Strategy and Future Outlook

Product innovation and differentiation, combined with overwhelming scale, can be a winning formula for success in the online travel sector. At World Travel Market in November, RateHawk announced a major rebranding initiative that encompasses an updated corporate identity, strategic reimagining, and the unveiling of a new logo.

“When RateHawk began as a startup, we lacked the budget and clarity to define our role in the business-to-business booking ecosystem,” Shpilman said. “Now, as we scale into new markets, this rebranding reflects how we see travel agents as unsung superheroes, overcoming challenges, navigating change, and exceeding expectations. We see ourselves as the agent’s friend and partner, and we wanted to communicate that more clearly.”

Looking ahead to an even more hyper-digitized and automated world, Shpilman believes travel will continue to be an expensive and complex purchase that requires human expertise and that there will always be a need for building functional tools that accommodate travel agents’ evolving needs.

“The travel tech sector is booming, but it hasn’t always been viewed as particularly glamorous,” Shpilman said. “But the development of digital technologies is reshaping the industry and making it more appealing. I love that I get to interview and hire a lot of young people around the world and get them excited about this dynamic industry — because we’re living in an immensely exciting time.”

Learn more about RateHawk’s business-to-business travel booking capabilities.

This content was created collaboratively by RateHawk and Skift’s branded content studio, SkiftX .

Have a confidential tip for Skift? Get in touch

Tags: booking , digital transformation , online travel agencies , ratehawk , SkiftX Showcase: Technology , travel tech , travel technology

TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY

Envoyage Group Center for Travel Advisors just launched after rebranding

The Silicon Review 22 April, 2024

Envoyage members, comprising travel advisors and agency owners, enjoy the autonomy to manage their businesses according to their preferences

Two months ago, Flight Centre Travel Group’s Independent division, a worldwide network encompassing over 1,500 independent travel advisors and agencies across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia , and New Zealand, announced its global rebranding as Envoyage. Presently, the company has introduced a new Envoyage Group Center to further bolster support for travel advisors engaged in group travel sales. Prior to the rebranding, each country's travel divisions within the global company operated under their own brands. Envoyage has unified all these brands under one name, extending outreach to independent travel advisors and agencies through a fresh visual identity reflecting the group’s global community, technology, and comprehensive product marketplace.

The name Envoyage amalgamates the ideas of connection through "envoy" and "travel" through "voyage." The bridge depicted in the logo symbolizes the growth journey that travel agents and travelers alike can embark on under the brand. The new brand emphasizes nurturing the substantial potential in the independent travel sector, which has seen rapid growth within the company in recent years. Christina Pedroni, executive vice president and general manager for Envoyage’s U.S. business, expressed enthusiasm for the launch of Envoyage in the United States, emphasizing the company’s commitment to empowering travel professionals with the tools and support necessary for success.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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