In the past, when travel companies wanted to expand their online business, they had to either build a solution from scratch with the help of a software development company or purchase an existing product from another company.
However, today we have travel APIs that make things much more manageable. These APIs retrieve and process data collected by CRM systems and allow developers to connect to that data. An API acts as a control panel that links different software components without requiring direct code manipulation. Instead of creating software components from scratch, companies can license third-party software products through travel APIs, which is a more efficient and faster approach. Today’s article will discuss how the travel API integration works.
So, how does travel API integration work?
Let’s take the example of Tripadvisor, which is not just a website with travel content but a platform that allows visitors to read reviews, check prices, and book services in one place. Tripadvisor has a vast database of over 200 million reviews and is a trusted source for millions of travelers. It collaborates with hotels, restaurants, and attractions, collecting essential data such as location, name, address, and price and updating it in real time.
To achieve this, Tripadvisor travel API integration services rely on a hotel booking API. Partners of Tripadvisor, such as online travel agents, hotel chains, and individual hoteliers, provide their prices to the platform. When users enter their booking dates into the Tripadvisor search box, the website queries the Channel Partner API, and Tripadvisor partners supply the current prices.
Some vendors also provide a hotel search API that allows direct access to their services. With an integrated payment gateway API, travelers can make secure payments using their credit card, debit card, or e-wallet.
Now, let’s explore the main benefits of travel APIs:
- Increase traffic to your app and website: By exchanging data between the two, you can share various listings of flights, hotels, events, taxi services, and more from multiple APIs obtained from different companies. This integration can significantly boost your app and website’s traffic.
- Save time: APIs provided by different companies enable developers to easily add flights, hotels, car rentals, and other services to their applications. This eliminates the need to gather the entire inventory separately, saving considerable time.
- Simplify implementation: Implementing a travel API is a straightforward process. It is the backbone of any online travel agency, allowing them to integrate hotel and flight booking APIs and third-party APIs into their websites.
- Retain customers: API integration ensures that when customers search to book a hotel or flight on your travel site, they won’t be redirected to another location. With airline API integration, flight booking API integration, and more, your travel agent will only charge the payment, which helps in customer retention.
- Enable dynamic packaging: travel API integration services assist in active packaging, where a service provider shows packages for flights, hotels, cars, and other benefits with flexible pricing. You can easily integrate a dynamic package based on your specific needs, and any changes can be made quickly to ensure your travel business continues to grow.
- Improved booking experience: Booking APIs are becoming more user-friendly for third parties and customers. This trend has led to more partners directly collaborating with brands, reducing the reliance on traditional tracking methods through affiliate networks and tracking service providers.
Now, let’s talk about the different types of travel APIs.
Global distribution system (GDS) APIs
These are travel data aggregators serving booking websites and online travel agencies (OTAs). They provide necessary data and enable reservations for hotel rooms, flights, car rentals, train tickets, cruises, ferries, and more. GDS APIs allow resellers to connect to a single API instead of interacting with
Hotel Reservations
Regarding hotel reservations, there are several providers to choose from. The most prominent players in the market are Booking.com and Expedia, but other providers like Jack Travel, Orbitz, Hotwire, and Agoda offer inventory in specific locations or cater to particular niches. By connecting to their APIs, you can easily access information about available rooms, make bookings, and even handle cancellations.
Car Rentals
For car rentals, most APIs allow you to create packages that include car rentals, flights, and hotels. Many vendors specialize in car rentals and offer APIs allowing you to access inventory from fleets or major car rental brands.
Tips for Travel API Integration
Choose a Reliable Supplier
Before integrating a travel API, it’s crucial to research and selects a reliable supplier of travel API integration services that suits your travel agency’s needs regarding availability, geography, rates, and requirements. Some suppliers may offer a broader range of hotels and better rates in your desired area. If you plan to sell hotels, flights, and car rentals, choose a supplier that provides all three services or integrates multiple suppliers.
Read and Sign API Documentation
Once you’ve chosen a supplier, you must sign an API contract. The provider may offer multiple APIs for different modules, so ensure the contract covers all the modules you plan to use. Review the API documentation provided by the supplier, which contains technical details such as parameters, rules, and services.
API Documentation Assessment and Development
Your technology partner will examine the API documentation to assess its technical feasibility for integration into your booking system. They will determine if the API is ready to be deployed or if any changes or new connectors are necessary. Each API requires a separate connector and mapping so multiple APIs will require numerous connectors.
Pay Attention to Certification and Integration
After the API documentation assessment, your technology partner will work on obtaining a certificate from the vendor. This certification process typically takes a couple of weeks for existing connections and about a month for new ones. Once certified, the supplier will provide you with credentials to access their online channels and start making bookings.
Post Integration Considerations
Once the travel API integration services are complete and your website is live, your customers can see real-time data for the integrated modules. It’s essential to monitor the search responsiveness of your travel API integration. Factors such as the architecture of your booking engine, server location, and the number of integrated APIs can affect search speed. Vendor response time is also crucial, as it varies among suppliers.
What to Look for in a Service Provider for API Integration
Before choosing a service provider for API integration, consider the following factors:
- Comprehensive API Integration Support: Ensure that the provider offers comprehensive support for API integration and provides relevant documentation to facilitate the process. Lack of proper documentation can cause delays and challenges during implementation.
- Competitive Ticket Prices: While a provider may offer lower API integration costs, it’s essential to consider their ticket prices. Opting for a cheaper integration may result in higher ticket prices, leading to later regrets.
Ready-Made Portal vs. Custom Development
Determine if the provider offers a ready-made portal or if you must build it from scratch. A ready-made portal can be more cost-effective, but custom development may be better if you have specific requirements and want to maintain the balance.
Terms of these business models will help you navigate potential challenges and ensure a smooth integration process.
By considering these factors and following the integration tips, you can make informed decisions and successfully integrate travel APIs into your systems. This will enable your travel agency to provide a seamless booking experience to your customers, offering a wide range of options for hotels, flights, car rentals, and more.
Remember to prioritize reliability, comprehensive documentation, competitive pricing, ready-made solutions, or custom development availability. Understanding your chosen supplier’s capabilities and supporting your desired business model will contribute to successful API integration.
Conclusion
In conclusion, travel APIs have revolutionized how travel companies expand online businesses. Instead of building solutions from scratch or purchasing existing products, APIs provide a more efficient and faster approach. These APIs retrieve and process data, allowing developers to connect to a vast range of travel-related information.
Travel API integration works by linking different software components without direct code manipulation. This integration enables travel agencies to offer comprehensive listings of flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, increasing website traffic and saving time in gathering inventory.
The benefits of travel APIs are numerous. They simplify implementation, retain customers by offering a seamless booking experience, enable dynamic packaging, and enhance the overall booking experience. By integrating travel APIs, companies can streamline operations, offer a more comprehensive range of options, and provide an exceptional booking experience for their customers.
When choosing a service provider for API integration, it’s essential to consider factors such as comprehensive support, competitive pricing, and the availability of ready-made portals or custom development options. By carefully considering these factors and following integration tips, travel agencies can successfully integrate travel APIs into their systems and enhance their online travel business.
In conclusion, travel APIs have transformed the travel industry by providing efficient and seamless connectivity, empowering travel agencies to offer comprehensive services, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.