Group travel planners – it’s time to get your heads in the cloud.
Only 53% of tour operators planning multi-day trips use some “dedicated technology platform for their tour core business.” The rest use a mishmash of CRMs, email, Excel, or even file drawers to manage operations.
For many of us, this is how business is done. It always has been. However, the world is rapidly changing, and our businesses must keep pace. As the past 16 months have shown, the status quo just isn’t going to cut it.
Let’s break it down…
4 Areas of Operation
Group travel planners operate in four main areas – marketing and sales, operations, accounting and HR, and supplier management and relations.
Typically, these areas are segmented. Marketing and sales are typically done on a shoestring budget or not at all. We pay exorbitant monthly server fees to host programs for accounting and HR as well as operations.
Our teams also spend countless hours managing vendors. We pore through trade show business cards and pricing sheets, updating antiquated CRMs with alarming frequency.
WHAT IF…. there was a way to streamline your operations?
IMAGINE THAT…. you could save money by eliminating server fees and subscription programs?
SUPPOSE… you could reduce the amount of time spent on supplier management?
That’s Where the Cloud Comes In
Current technology allows tour planners to maximize efficiency through cloud-based software and service.
Using cloud-based technology allows you to structure your business in a way that benefits you, your customers, and your bottom line.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing is the delivery of different services through the Internet rather than a proprietary hard drive or local storage device. These resources include tools and applications like data storage, servers, databases, networking, and software.
As long as you can access the web, you can access your data on any device.
Benefits of Cloud-Based Technology for Travel Planners
Shifting your business to cloud-based technology offers a host of benefits:
- increased productivity
- online payments and registration
- fast and efficient
- easy access to documents and itineraries
- safe
- budget-friendly
Moving to a cloud-based planning platform is one of the simplest ways to make your group travel business more effective. It allows you to connect each of those four segments seamlessly and with less expense.
Did We Pique Your Interest?
When you’re ready to ditch the drawers and find out more, do your homework. Look for a system that is built for group travel planners and integrates with your current programs. Be sure it’s flexible enough to meet your specific needs.
Most importantly, research your cost savings. It’s astonishing how much you can save when you eliminate monthly server payments, planning subscriptions, or host fees.
Start with Group Travel Odyssey
Group Travel Odyssey (GTO) is a chaos mitigation tool that consolidates human resources, marketing, sales, tour operations, tour accounting, supplier management, and on the road management in one convenient, easy-to-use package.
GTO isn’t just software. It’s a community working together to solve the pain points of group travel.
Spend More Time with Clients, NOT on Supplier Updates
Everyone wants to improve and grow client relations, and GTO has a secret weapon to help you succeed!
GTO gives you access to the most current supplier data with professionally researched updates and pricing. The GTO team does the time-intensive work of collecting information, allowing you to focus on your customers.
Imagine… you may never have to look through that pile of business cards again!
Related Reading: Why Join the GE Travel Tribe
Travel planners, it’s time to get your heads IN the cloud. Take advantage of the latest technology to save time, money, and resources. The future of group travel planning is here – and it’s going to make your job a whole lot easier!
