TripAdvisor is offering a helping hand to agents, announcing the launch of its new booking platform, the Travel Agent Program (TAP).
Agents can book directly through Viator, gaining direct and immediate access to the world’s largest selection of more than 70,000 commissionable tours and attractions, including TripAdvisor and Viator’s VIP, Exclusive and Skip the Line products.
Both host agencies and independent agents can register on TAP, and since testing began last month, thousands of agents have created accounts and booked experiences for their clients directly through Viator.
Viator Head of Growth Ben Drew said, “While most platforms cater to the end-user or traveler, we’ve designed TAP specifically for travel agents and their businesses.”
“For the first time, agents will have direct access to the world’s largest collection of attractions and tours, and we’re working to make their booking experience seamless.”
“We’ll collect and incorporate feedback from early adopters as we continue to evolve the program and, ultimately, help agents around the world grow their businesses,” he added.
According to TripAdvisor, the feedback from agents on the platform has so far been positive.
TZell Travel Group Long Island Manager Ellen Klein said, “We’re glad that Viator understands and appreciates the value of travel agents.”
“We recently signed up for the Viator Travel Agent Program and we’re very happy with it – it makes bookings easier and more profitable for us,” she added.
TAP offers a competitive commission rate and caters to a global travel agent audience, allowing for multiple currencies, along with monthly reporting for easy performance analysis.
Agents will also have access to a resource centre with helpful tips and content, including agent training, product knowledge development and destination guides to increase industry knowledge and in turn, their bottom lines.
Agents can now join the program without any fees or restrictions to book as an individual, a host agency, or member of host agency and receive direct commission from Viator, without third-party payment distribution.
