Through the Digital Empowerment Initiative, OTAs across the globe can now benefit from their own website, mobile applications, corporate booking tool and B2B platform.

For some travel agencies out there, keeping up with today’s technology can be an uphill battle. They may want to provide a certain level of service much like the big players in the industry – with their own websites, personalised content and booking engine – but unfortunately cannot due to technology limitations.

TPConnects, a cloud-based travel booking and distribution tool for airlines, travel agencies, OTAs and tour operators, plans to change all this with the extension of its ‘Digital Empowerment Initiative’ globally, following the project’s success in India.

“We want to help create global opportunities for travel agencies everywhere” – Mahmoud Ward, TPConnects

The initiative is an offer from the company that will provide travel agencies with their own websites, mobile apps – and even more impressive to customers – their own corporate booking tool and B2B platform, which will keep agents up-to-date with the latest industry tech. All these will be powered by TPConnects’ NDC standard internet booking engine including a payment gateway.

There will be no upfront charges (just a nominal per passenger transaction fee) and TPConnects will provide any technical support required. Although unlike WordPress or Facebook which comes for free, agencies or OTAs must register first and choose from a variety of services.

Mahmoud Ward, chief growth officer of TPConnects, who has been passionate about the project, said: “The response we have had from over 10,000 agents in India has been extraordinary. It’s clear that travel agents want to provide this level of service, so we have extended this initiative worldwide. We want to help create global opportunities for travel agencies everywhere, providing them with the technology they need to compete, not just locally but on a global scale.”

As travellers, of course, we want better customer service when booking. TPConnects’ B2B and B2C platform will provide access to rich content, with a focus on providing a more personalised experience. Travellers can have their preferences recognised when shopping via the agent’s or OTA’s site in the same way they are available on an airline’s website.

The Digital Empowerment Initiative has been extended globally following the success of the TAAI Connect project in India, launched earlier this year through TPConnects’ partnership with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).

Travel agencies who wish to have their own website and mobile application with the booking engine are required to register at tpconnects.com or email marketing@tpconnects.com.