What will the post-lockdown travel industry look like?

Few industries have been hit as hard as the travel sector during this pandemic. It’s impossible to predict exactly how travel will look as the world, slowly and unevenly, emerges from lockdown. Face masks and hand gel for travelers are the obvious, outward signs of the ‘new normal’, but the whole sector is undergoing much more fundamental changes.

With so much uncertainty, travel companies need to be constantly alert and always ready to adapt to new risks and opportunities. Lockdown rules may ease only to be followed by new spikes and more restrictions. Travelers’ demands and expectations are also evolving.

COVID-19 is accelerating the shift to digital

Business planning in this environment is incredibly difficult to navigate. The shift to more digital business models was evident before COVID-19 hit but now this trend will accelerate. Travel companies will need to embrace powerful and agile travel management technology to secure, adapt and grow their business models.

We launched TravelOperations because we saw an opportunity take the latest Microsoft Dynamics 365 technology and add all the functionality needed to run a successful travel agency. We’re 100% focused on the travel industry. But, as a Microsoft Partner, we also have deep technical understanding of implementing and making the most of the business opportunities technology can bring to the travel world.

Reducing the cost, risk and implementation time of digitalization

Our combination of expertise in business applications and industry knowledge means we can help travel companies reduce the cost, risk and time of implementing new technology. We ensure travel companies enjoy the efficiency gains of a fully integrated mid and back office, where workflows, such as bookings, invoices and fees, are fully automated. We’re also 100% Microsoft Cloud based, so you don’t have to worry about managing servers or data security, even if you’re working from home or on the move.

Unlocking efficiency gains AND new opportunities

There has never been a more important time for the travel sector to embrace the greater efficiencies modern technology brings to mid and back office operations. But, our platform provides many more, and much bigger, opportunities to rebuild and reshape your travel business. By adding travel functionality to Microsoft’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, our platform integrates all the travel and financial information your agents need to provide fully bespoke customer services.

We ensure you have robust customer data, such as their preferred airlines, hotels and restaurants. That means you can add value with personalized offers, incentives and a level of customer care impossible to replicate elsewhere. Most importantly, for travel companies trying to navigate an increasingly uncertain world, a modern platform has the flexibility to help future-proof your business.

No-one can be certain what changes COVID-19 will mean for travel agents. You may, for example, need to incorporate health certificates, highlight current quarantine rules or include deep cleaning fees in your systems. Whatever this ‘new normal’ may throw at you, implementing a modern, flexible platform makes it easier to react. You can quickly scale your business up or down, adapt to new conditions and explore new markets or business lines.

Our biggest challenge yet

In the coming months our industry faces its biggest ever challenge. We’re here to help you reduce the costs and risks of automating your mid and back office. We can also help you unlock your vision of a more competitive and customer focused business.