teldar travel agents

• CZECH REPUBLIC
• NETHERLANDS
• SWITZERLAND
• UNITED KINGDOM
• OTHER COUNTRY
• DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
• UNITED STATES
• CONGO, REPUBLIC OF THE (CONGO / BRAZZAVILLE)
• COTE D'IVOIRE (IVORY COAST)
• EQUATORIAL GUINEA
• SOUTH AFRICA
• UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
• CHINA, REPUBLIC OF (TAIWAN)
• KOREA, REPUBLIC OF (SOUTH KOREA)
• MYANMAR (BURMA)
• NEW ZEALAND
• PHILIPPINES
• SAUDI ARABIA

THE LARGEST ACCOMMODATION CHOICE

Smart search, verify that a booking is confirmed, the gekko group (part of accorhotels group), the most advanced technology, the input field can be forecasted, modify a booking, apart from the cancellation with no charge, book various segments in only one file, cancel a segment in a multi-segment file, searching according to a city, cancel a booking, the most intuitve platform, searching according to a point, give out a voucher / exchanging coupon, the most complete platform, dynamic filtering, geolocalization of the results on a map, the displayed prices.

For assistance completing the registration form or any query regarding Teldar please contact:

[email protected]

Please wait, we are processing your form

About cookies and similar technologies:

Cookies are small data files that allow a website or a mobile app to collect and store a range of data on your desktop computer, laptop or mobile device.

Cookies help us to provide important features and functionality on our websites and mobile apps, and we use them to improve your customer experience

We measure and analyze the number of pages viewed, the number of visits, the activity of the visitors as well as their frequency of return.

A cookie does not allow us to identify the user, it records information relating to the navigation of the visitor's computer on our site (the pages visited, the date and time of the visit, etc.) that we will be able to read in future consultations.

The data collected by cookies are solely and strictly for internal use and are never transmitted to third parties.

The user can at any time disable the cookies stored on their terminal by selecting the appropriate parameters in the browser.

This deactivation may prevent access to certain features of the website.

The cookies we use:

- Technical cookies: These cookies allow the user to browse the site and are essential for the optimal functioning of the website. If the user decides to disable them, some features of the site may be inaccessible.

- Statistical cookies: These cookies allow us to study the behavior of users on the website (including the number of visits, the number of pages viewed, the activity of visitors), using the analysis tool Google Analytics.

The management of cookies

The links below explains the process for blocking cookies on Chrome, Firefox, Safari & Internet Explorer browsers

FIREFOX:  https://support.mozilla.org/en/kb/empecher-sites-register-preferences#w_block-cookies-of-single-site

CHROME:  https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95647?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

INTERNET EXPLORER:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17442/windows-internet-explorer-delete-manage-cookies

SAFARI:  https://support.apple.com/kb/ph21411?locale=en_CA

Changes to our Notice:

This Notice replaces all previous versions. We may change the Notice at any time so please check it regularly on our website(s) for any updates.

If the changes are significant, we will provide a prominent notice on our website(s) including, if we believe it is appropriate, electronic notification of Cookie Notice changes.

iSell, Internet Booking Engine

iSell is our award-winning internet booking engine , which can be tailored to meet the needs of travel agents and operators worldwide.

Designed exclusively for the travel industry, iSell allows travel sellers to search for and book travel options and packages that align with their customers’ preferences.

With iSell, you gain access to a comprehensive platform where flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and ancillary products can be effortlessly searched and booked in a single transaction. No more juggling multiple systems. iSell seamlessly integrates an intuitive CRM system, empowering you to handle customer management and inquiries from a centralized location with ease. Alternatively, connect with your preferred CRM system for streamlined efficiency.

iSell is meticulously designed with flexibility and security as top priorities. Our modular product can be customized to meet your business needs, providing a tailored solution. Experience the peace of mind with a web-based platform, ensuring every aspect of your business operates securely online, 24/7. Even remote staff can access the system effortlessly, eliminating the need for costly and complex network solutions.

Unlock the potential of iSell and revolutionize your booking experience today.

Revitalize Your Business with iSell

Supercharge your business with iSell, our flagship and award-winning product . It’s like having your own personal travel genie! As an advanced booking engine, iSell gives travel sellers like you the incredible power to create customized holidays that perfectly match your customers’ dreams.

Designed exclusively for the leisure travel industry, iSell transforms the way you sell travel products, making everything super-efficient. No more switching between different systems and getting overwhelmed. With iSell, you get access to a single, user-friendly platform where you can effortlessly search and book flights, hotels, cruises, and even extras like car rentals and attraction tickets, all in one go.

But that’s not all! iSell also comes with a handy CRM system built right in. This means you can effortlessly manage your customers and handle inquiries from one central hub, making your life so much easier.

Get ready to unlock the full potential of your business with iSell and watch your sales soar to new heights. It’s time to say goodbye to the old way of doing things and embrace a world of seamless travel booking at your fingertips.

Experience the transformative power of iSell and propel your business to new heights of success.

Flight Dynamic Packaging Technology

Experience one of the most comprehensive flight search solutions available in the market, offering unparalleled flexibility and an extensive range of suppliers. With our advanced technology, you have the option to connect to suppliers’ live APIs, providing real-time pricing and availability, or utilize our extensive cache of flight data for flexible and detailed searches. Enhance your capabilities further by integrating our Supplytek product, allowing you to manage your own flight inventory seamlessly within a single system.

Cruise Dynamic Packaging Technology

Our pioneering cruise booking engine was the first of its kind and remains one of the most advanced dynamic packaging solutions for cruise products, seamlessly integrating hotels, flights, and ancillaries. Delve into comprehensive ship descriptions, detailed cabin information, and essential supporting images. Elevate your cruise offerings with our CruiseConnect product, enabling you to curate unique and personalized cruise experiences by hand-picking travel components.

Hotel Dynamic Packaging Technology

Unlock the full potential of our feature-rich hotel search solution. Connect with over 50 leading accommodation providers worldwide, including Hotelbeds, Teldar, and Expedia, and enjoy a wide array of search and filter options. If you are a tour operator or contract your own hotel rates, our cutting-edge Supplytek product enables seamless integration of your rates and availability, giving you complete control over your hotel inventory.

Ancillary Dynamic Packaging Technology

Discover a vast array of ancillary services through our extensive supplier network. In addition to flights, hotels, cruises, and packages, you can seamlessly search and book car hires, transfers, insurance, airport parking, attraction tickets, resort services, lounge passes, and more. Our intuitive software caters to your customers’ ancillary needs, providing seamless upselling opportunities. With our Supplytek product, you also have the flexibility to manage your own ancillary inventory.

Cruise Connect

Get ready for Cruise Connect, our next-generation GraphQL Cruise API. As pioneers in the industry, Traveltek is proud to be the first company to integrate with Carnival’s cutting-edge polar caps API. Cruise Connect boasts enhanced search speed, AI capabilities, and rich features, revolutionizing the cruise booking experience. We are also committed to supporting our cruise partners in fulfilling their sustainability pledges through our advanced technology. Agent Connect booking tool, powered by this innovative API.

Agent Connect

Our dedication to delivering innovative software solutions to the travel industry is exemplified by our AgentConnect product. To ensure fast, secure, and reliable service for our users, we rely on Amazon Web Services (AWS) for hosting. AWS is renowned for its scalability, flexibility, and high-performance capabilities, making it the ideal choice for hosting our travel technology solutions. In every aspect of our product, we demonstrate our commitment to modern software development practices. By utilizing the latest tools and technologies, such as Python and React, we guarantee a fast, efficient, and user-friendly experience.

Flexible & Secure

iSell is designed with flexibility and security as top priorities. Our modular product can be customized to meet your specific business needs, providing a tailored solution. Enjoy the convenience of a web-based platform, ensuring every aspect of your business operates securely online, 24/7. Even remote staff can access the system effortlessly, eliminating the need for costly and complex network solutions.

Fully Integrated CRM System

With iSell, you have the power of a fully integrated CRM system at your fingertips. This exceptional product gives you complete control over managing quotes and maximizing your marketing activities. It also offers information-rich content and supports multiple languages, ensuring a seamless experience for your global customers.

Operating on a convenient shopping basket model, iSell provides advanced search filters, allowing you to easily find the perfect travel options. What’s more, you have the flexibility to manage discounts and promo codes, and the ability to configure the system according to your unique requirements.

Stay on top of your business with real-time margin control and booking rule management. iSell empowers you to make informed decisions and optimize your profit margins while ensuring compliance with your business policies.

Seize the reins and experience the unparalleled control and flexibility that iSell brings to your travel business. With this powerful tool, you can unlock new levels of efficiency and success.

Streamline Your Travel Business with iDeal Integration

Integrate iDeal into your travel business and say goodbye to the hassle of managing multiple spreadsheets. With iDeal, you’ll gain access to an all-in-one platform that streamlines your operations, leading to increased productivity and efficiency. As a result, you’ll witness a boost in bookings and profits, setting your business on a path to success.

The beauty of iDeal is that it eliminates the need for employees to undergo training on various systems. This not only saves you valuable time but also reduces staff training costs and minimizes the chances of errors. With a simplified and unified platform, your team can focus on what they do best: providing exceptional service and growing your business.

Experience the transformational impact of iDeal on your travel business. Embrace improved efficiency, increased productivity, and a smoother workflow that will propel your success to new heights.

Book a demo today and explore how iSell can revolutionize your operations, making it a true one-stop solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is isell.

iSell is a cutting-edge booking engine designed specifically for travel agents and tour operators. It allows users to search and book flights, hotels, cruises, tours, and ancillary products all within one platform.

How can iSell benefit my travel business?

iSell offers numerous benefits to travel businesses. It streamlines the booking process, improves efficiency, increases productivity, and provides access to a wide range of travel products. The integrated CRM system helps manage customer interactions and inquiries effectively.

Is iSell suitable for small-scale travel businesses?

Absolutely! iSell is designed to cater to businesses of all sizes, including small-scale travel agencies and tour operators. Its flexibility and scalability make it an ideal solution for businesses at any stage of growth.

Can I customize iSell to fit my business needs?

Yes, iSell is highly customizable. It can be tailored to match your specific business requirements, ensuring that it aligns perfectly with your brand and operations.

Is training required to use iSell?

While iSell is designed to be user-friendly, some initial training is recommended to familiarize yourself with its features and maximize its potential. However, the intuitive interface minimizes the learning curve for users.

Can iSell help me increase my bookings and profits?

Absolutely! iSell's comprehensive search options, real-time pricing, and availability information empower you to offer a wide range of travel products to your customers. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in bookings and overall profitability.

Does iSell offer technical support?

Yes, iSell provides technical support to ensure a smooth user experience. The dedicated support team is available to assist with any technical issues or questions you may have.

How can I get started with iSell?

To get started with iSell, simply reach out to our team and schedule a demo. Our experts will guide you through the setup process and help you unleash the power of iSell for your travel business.

• Why Choose Us
• Terms of Service
• Cookie Policy

Travel Technology Products

• AgentConnect
• CruiseConnect
• iBos – Administration
• iSell – Search & Book

Travel Software Solutions

• Data Warehouse Reporting
• RPA – Automation
• Dynamic Packaging
• Travel Agent White Label Solutions
• Tour Operator Software
• Travel App Development
• Travel Agency Web Design & Development

Travel API Provider

• Travel API – 300+ Suppliers
• Tour Operator API
• Payment Gateway API
• Flight Airline API
• Meet the Team
• CruiseConnect API
• Travel Agency Web Design and Development Services
• RPA – Automation

New to TTG?

Back to directory, teldar travel.

Join an innovative organization.

Welcome to Gekko Group

Created in France in 2009, Gekko brings together experts and technology to deliver renowned IT solutions, developed for the leisure & corporate travel industry and its different actors

Our missions

Provide the most adapted

B2B travel solutions

To respond with innovative solutions to the needs of business and leisure travelers as well as hotel subcontractors and wholesalers.

Loyalty is the key

We consider the loyalty strategy to be inherent in commercial success and offer reward platforms adapted to all our clients.

The most advanced technology

in the market

With 10 years of experience and cultivated from having our own in-house technology, we offer our expertise in white label solutions.

GEKKO BRINGS TOGETHER 5 DIFFERENT BRANDS

Where travel professionals book the perfect stay for their clients

The new generation hotel wholesaler that simplifies your hotel distribution

The loyalty program rewarding travel professionnals work

Business empowered by IT solutions

Our history

Creation of the gekko group, by olivier delouis & stéphane de laforcade., launch of teldar travel and hcorpo, launch of miles attack, the multi-partner loyalty program for travel agents, teldar and hcorpo take flight, teldar travel becomes the first b2b hotel booking platform & hcorpo signs its first cac 40 client, launch of infinite, the new generation hotel wholesaler, gekko group internationally, brand development in many countries, the accor group, becomes the main shareholder of the gekko group, launch of hcorpo express, the solution for smes & smis, launch of miles&act and gekko tech, our new brands created to meet new market needs, key figures.

annual travelers

countries where our customers come from

owner of its technologies

belonging to Accor

Our clients

Gekko covers the entire spectrum of B2B distribution

Corporate & leisure travel agencies

Large companies & SME’s

Hotels & Chains

B2B Tourism suppliers & Tourism Boards

XML Wholesalers, Tour Operators, TMC’s, DMCs

Any company who needs our technologies in white label

SINCE 2018, GEKKO IS

a division of Accor Group

This operation is part of the strategy aimed at strengthening Accor’ leadership within the entire customer journey, by enriching its range of services for business and leisure travelers, who represent the group’s main customer segment.

A bit more about us

Discover our history, the aim of the programme, and the team that has been beside you and your agencies day-by-day for more than 10 years!

No secrets here

The history of Miles Attack

Created in 2011 by Gekko Group, Miles Attack is the most advantageous loyalty programme for travel agents.

Simple, generous and effective, it rewards thousands of travel agents daily and personally for their day-to-day work. By booking travel for their clients through a multitude of travel suppliers, travel agents earn MILES and can spend them as they wish.

At the same time, Miles Attack offers everyone in the travel industry the most effective tool for customer retention and acquisition. Miles Attack allows many travel companies to develop their commercial results, and tourist offices to promote their destination.

Creation of the Gekko Group, of which Teldar Travel is the first brand

Launch of the Miles Attack programme, the Group's third brand

Miles Attack becomes a multi-partner programme by welcoming its second partner after Teldar Travel

Expanding the programme internationally with 9 new markets

Launch of the Mastercard® by Miles Attack

Enhancing the programme members' experience by launching a new website

A B2B programme inspired by the largest B2C programmes

Miles attack, a subsidiary of the accor group.

In 2018, Accor acquired the Gekko Group, to which the Miles Attack programme belongs.

The Gekko Group specialises in the creation and development of hotel booking platforms and loyalty programmes. The group has six B2B brands, all leaders in their markets: Teldar Travel, Hcorpo, Infinite, Miles Attack, Miles & Act, Gekko Tech.

Accor is the world leader in hotels, with more than 5,200 establishments and 10,000 eateries in 110 countries. The Group has one of the most diversified and best integrated hotel inventories in the industry.

A team of specialists

Hervé BOFFELLI

Elodie NORIANT BOERO

Camille FROMENT

Maëlle LHERNOULD

Gregory GILLES

Emeline HOUDEBERT

Emilie GAL BECHINI

Faustine THOMAS

What brings us together

At Miles Attack, we innovate every day to change the relationship between suppliers and travel agents. Our dual objective: the satisfaction of our partners and of our members.

• People In an industry such as travel, nothing is more important than putting people at the heart of all decisions. It's the key to success.
• Sharing We are passionate about our business and seek to share our expertise and knowledge with all our partners and programme members.
• Generosity We constantly apply the principle of generosity to ensure the success of the programme, its uptake by travel agents and the resulting satisfaction of partners. Our partners offer MILES all year round, with no earnings limit on the sales made by travel agents. With Miles Attack the rule is simple: every sale is a winner!
• Agility Our R&D team is constantly working to improve the experience of our members and partners.

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

1 Summerville Drive

Summerville Avenue

• info@travelcentres.ie
• Company Number: 405552

Teldar Travel is a B2B booking platform dedicated to travel professionals. Thanks to its expertise and in-house cutting- edge technology, the platform offers the widest range of accommodations in the market. With a direct connection to the Accor Group’s inventory, Teldar Travel offers more than 1,000,000 accommodations including alternative types, and a wide range of products and services activities, transfers and car rental.

Serving more than 500 corporate customers and 20,000 leisure travel businesses, Teldar Travel offers an intuitive and easy booking experience with the most advancced filters in the market. Ancillary sales from Teldar Activity, Teldar Car and Teldar Transfer means that you can streamline the service you provide your clients whilst increasing revenues easily.

Contact Teldar

Privacy overview.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Teldar Travel expands with UK office

• Share on WhatsApp
• Share by email

Trade hotel booking platform Teldar Travel is opening a UK office as part of its expansion.

Edwin Wilkinson will take leadership of the growth in the UK as director of business development following ten years at Hotelbeds.

Wilkinson said: “I am delighted to take up this rare opportunity to deliver a business that is in tune with its clients, customer service focused and offers the largest and the most diverse product range available on the market.

“Service is at the core of our value proposition and we plan to work closely with our clients on an individual bases by adapting to their requirements and offering the attention they deserve.”

Teldar Travel provides agents with a direct connection to the Accor Group’s inventory and it offers more than one million accommodation options including apartments, holiday rentals, homes, villas and camping. Agents can also access room stock from chain and independent hotels ranging from two- to five-star.

The platform additionally offers add-ons such as activities, transfers and car rental.

Teldar Travel already serves 20,000 leisure travel businesses in Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, Portugal, Luxembourg and Israel.

Michael Benmergui, who leads the group’s international expansion, said: “This is the logical next step in Teldar Travel’s strategy to bring our high standards of service and tailor-made product to all European travel professionals.”

Share article

View comments, sunvil claims largest greek island portfolio with new brochure, attraction world announces promotion and new appointment, newmarket holidays staff row 100 miles to raise funds for just a drop, airport e-gates back online after ‘nationwide issue’ blamed for disruption, jacobs media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 queen's award for enterprise..

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more .

• Profile & Preferences
• Reservations
• Retrieve Hotel Bill
• Program Overview

• Mexico Cancun Area Acapulco Cozumel Huatulco Ixtapa Los Cabos Mazatlán Puerto Vallarta Area
• Spain Mallorca Almeria Fuerteventura Ibiza Lanzarote Malaga Menorca Murcia Tenerife
• Curaçao
• Dominican Republic La Romana Puerto Plata Punta Cana Santo Domingo
• Greece Corfu-Gouvia Halkidiki Zakynthos-Tsilivi
• Jamaica Montego Bay
• Portugal Madeira
• Saint Lucia

Select Destination or Resort

Welcome to Inclusive Collection!

To find your ideal resort, please click on a destination to your left, then scroll to view our properties in that region.

Need additional help? Please contact our travel experts at 1.800.597.4761 (American properties) and +34 911 229 744 (European properties).

No resorts available based on selections.

Become an Inclusive Collection Confidant

As our closest, trusted advisors, we invite you to explore the Confidant Collective , a comprehensive suite of best-in-class tools designed to help you succeed.  We are honored to partner with the advisor community. Your passion for travel is contagious. Your expertise is undeniable. Together, let’s turn vacation dreams into lifelong memories.  

Why Partner with Inclusive Collection?

The goal of Inclusive Collection is to provide support and solutions for travel advisor success. From innovative guest promotions to agent incentives and rewards, you can find various opportunities to drive travel demand and earn loyalty points, free stays, and cash bonuses. We are dedicated to empowering travel advisors with educational materials, incentives, and sales tools to advance your business.    

• Flexibility

Sell with Confidence

Inclusive C ollection prides ourselves on exceptional and consistent service and elegant and modern accommodations. Sell with confidence knowing that every guest will feel special and connected. Rest assured your client’s every need is met.

Best–in-Class

Living without limitations applies to how we do business. We’re constantly evolving to appeal to the ever-changing needs of our guests. We’ve transformed the way our industry sees customer service, gourmet gastronomy, and entertainment. And, once we’ve raised the bar, we challenge ourselves to raise it again. Our goal is not to be different but to always be better .   

Book With Ease

Reserve vacations for your clients with ease through booking options across multiple channels from consortia to tour operators. Plus, with our rate parity at Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, Alua Hotels & Resorts® and Sunscape® Resorts & Spas, you can ensure you get the best rates no matter where you book!

Sharpen Your Skills

Inclusive Collection provides the  Confidant Learning  education program and a Media site with sales and marketing tools to support travel advisors and help you sell Inclusive Collection effortlessly. A monthly newsletter is sent to make sure you are up-to-date on current featured resorts and destination incentives.  

Confidant Learning

Dive into Inclusive Collection and become an Inclusive Collection Certified Confidant .   Learn what sets the Inclusive Collection apart through an interactive education program designed to give you the expert advantage. Complete the Confidant Learning Advisor training course s annually to become a certified expert and earn access to exclusive perks. Supplemental courses are available for advisors who focus on specialty travel.  

Confidant Rewards

Start earning the next level of benefits and rewards for both you and your clients to give you a competitive edge. Receive industry-exclusive benefits including free stays for yourself, cash bonuses, gifts for your clients, and more with our loyalty program. Levels are based on the completion of Confidant Learning combined with production.

Are you ready to become an Inclusive Collection Confidant ?

*Please note this platform is for travel advisors only. 

Certified Confidant Exclusives

Inclusive Collection provides spectacular advisor offers , rewards, booking incentives, bonus commission s , Certified Confidant advisor rates , day pass acces s , private invitations and promotions. Offers are exclusively for Certified Confidant s.

CURRENT PRICES END MAY 12

Outside Festival feat. Thundercat and Fleet Foxes.

FROM JUST $44

Should I Use a Travel Agent? Our Travel Expert Says It Makes All the Difference.

The new age of travel agents know how to find deals, book off-the-beaten path trips, and get you out of any jam. Here are our travel expert’s favorites.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the Outside app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

I’ve always thought that planning my own trips was the most cost-effective way, but I’ve been hearing more about travel agents making a comeback and saving their clients a lot of money. What kinds of outdoor trips should I turn to a travel agent for, and are there any who specialize in working with adventurers like me?

Technically, I’m a professional traveler. As a journalist, it’s my job to research and connect with locals to get beneath the surface of a destination. So I have never really used travel agents. What could they plan better than I could?

A lot, it turns out. Over the years, I’ve gotten to know many travel specialists, and I consider them magicians. My big aha moment happened two winters ago on a trip to Iceland . A massive storm shut down internal flights for a day, causing me to miss my return flight to the U.S. Normally, I would have spent frustrating hours on hold with the airline. But because I’d paid $65 to have Ana Gloria Garcia, an air-support specialist at the travel agency EmbarkBeyond, find and book the most affordable and convenient flight option for me, she handled the rebookings while I soaked in the Blue Lagoon.

During the pandemic, agents became advocates helping travelers get refunds on canceled flights and trips. As travel has come roaring back, an agent’s superpower is now their access to the best hotel rooms, most in-the-know guides, free amenities, and more, says Cory Hagopian, senior vice president of sales and partnerships for Virtuoso , a global network of travel agencies.

And they’re attracting a young clientele. According to a recent industry survey , 38 percent of millennials and Gen Zers are opting to use travel agents as opposed to booking on their own trips. That number is far greater than Gen Xers and baby boomers, of whom only 12 and 2 percent respectively use agents.

What Do I Gain from Using a Travel Agent?

I recently had a friend tell me she spent close to 40 hours researching a family trip online. She probably could have gleaned the same intel from an hourlong conversation with a travel adviser. Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks for things you might not have considered, says Erika Richter, a spokesperson for the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA). Their firsthand knowledge, vast network, and on-the-ground connections all combine to provide a unique perspective for crafting the perfect itinerary for you.

Most travel advisers specialize in certain regions and countries and travel to them frequently, so they have up-to-date intel on not only the best safari camps but the perfect tent to book for the most incredible views and the best local restaurants you won’t find on Tripadvisor. They want their client’s trips to go well to keep them coming back, so it’s in their interest to have sussed out hotels and itineraries before they send you out into the world.

Nicole Forster, 29, considers herself a savvy traveler. She’s been to 20-plus countries and enjoys destination research. But when it came to planning her honeymoon in Africa, she felt overwhelmed, so she reached out to Danielle Meyer at Coastline Travel Advisors , which specializes in bespoke itineraries. “Originally, I wanted to go to South Africa, Victoria Falls, and Madagascar,” Forster recalls. “Danielle convinced me that if we wanted to relax, we should stay in South Africa and save the other countries for separate trips.”

Over five phone conversations and multiple emails, they crafted a 15-night itinerary that included Cape Town, the winelands, the Cape Peninsula, and a safari at the Thornybush Game Reserve. Forster established her budget early in the process, and Meyer sent her a variety of lodge options to choose from.

“I initially wanted to start with the safari, but she pointed out that we’d be jet-lagged and would need to wake at sunrise for game drives,” says Forster. “The safari was our highlight, so it was a perfect way to end the trip.”

Not only did Meyer book all of the flights, hotels, and transfers, but she created a detailed, day-by-day trip app for the couple that included useful information like check-in times at hotels and how much to tip guides .

Agents also act as advocates. If something goes wrong during your travels, they’re on call 24/7 to handle it. When Forster left the battery and charger for her camera at a hotel, Meyer arranged for an on-the-ground contact to go to a camera store and buy new ones that would be delivered to her hotel the next day.

The cost for the honeymoon planning: $150 per person. “I wouldn’t use a planner for a trip to Hawaii ,” Forster says, “but if I ever took a big trip like this again, I’d 100 percent work with an expert.”  

When to Consider Using a Travel Agent

For savvy trip planners, the best time to use a travel agent is for complicated international travel. It can save you hours of planning and peace of mind that if anything goes wrong in your chosen far-flung destination, there’s someone a What’sApp message away to handle it.

Domestically, I’d consider using a travel agent when planning a multi-week national park trip or multi-island trip in Hawaii. They will save you time, guarantee you get the best guides, and help you land reservations at always-booked lodges and hotels.

Dream Trips Delivered

Jessica Cook and her husband both work in the travel industry. Decision fatigued, they handed their honeymoon logistics over to the team at Askari Travel , an agency that specializes in South Africa. Their original plan was also an African safari, but just as they were about to put a deposit down, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus made headlines. Worried about getting stuck abroad, they reached out to Askari’s founder, Muriel Truter, who is from Zimbabwe, and upon her advice, changed their focus to South America.

Knowledge is priceless, and advisers act as your insiders. They know what you don’t and fill in the blanks of things you might not even have considered.

Truter suggested they stick to Colombia rather than country-hop. Cook supplied a budget and a wish list: 12 days, no more than three destinations, a barefoot-luxe feel, and adventures like horseback riding and mountain biking. The rest was a surprise that Askari pretty much nailed, with the exception of one hotel.

“Everything felt so authentic, but this one hotel on Barú island felt really fabricated and was full of American tourists,” recalls Cook. She immediately messaged the Askari team, saying, “Hey, this place really isn’t our vibe,” and within an hour they were on a water taxi headed to Blue Apple, a B Corp hotel—and an Outside pick for tropical adventures —on Tierra Bomba island. “It was honestly the best trip we’ve ever taken,” she says.

Are Travel Agents Expensive?

It depends. Cost varies. Some travel agencies won’t charge any fee, as they receive a commission from the bookings, while some high-end agencies will charge pricey annual membership fees for their services. Still others charge nominal “professional” fees starting at $150. Fees often fluctuate based on the length and intricacy of a trip and how far out you do the planning (6 to 12 months is recommended). You may occasionally come across agents who charge a percentage of the total trip price or hourly rates.

Basic travel enquiries are generally free. In 2016, Leah Smith, founder of Tafari Travel , opened an old-school brick-and-mortar location in Denver’s Cherry Creek neighborhood so her services would feel less intimidating to first-time users. “With our retail-office location, we’ve become part of the community, and both clients and non-clients are welcome to pop in and ask whatever questions they may have, no charge,” she says.

Matt Lindsay, founder of the surf-guiding and travel company LuxSurf Travel , builds relationships with resorts and property owners to get discounted rates that he can then pass on to guests.

Dominic Allan, the founder of Real Latin America , specializes in travel to Belize and Nicaragua and caters to independent travelers who are happy to book their own flights and hotels but are seeking his local intel. Allan’s three-tier pricing structure starts at $300 for up to three hours of phone calls, during which he might weigh in on where to eat (or not to), the best room to request in a certain lodge, or whether you really need a guide to hike.

Value Versus Savings

If you’re just looking for deals and steals, you might not be ready to work with a travel adviser, says Richter of the ASTA. “Anything you invest in with a travel adviser comes back to you in the form of amenities, customer service, peace of mind, better access to unique experiences, and handcrafted itineraries,” she says. “You could save money by cutting your own hair, too, but most people go to someone who knows what they’re doing.”

Agents work with preferred partners who can guarantee perks for clients, such as free upgrades, early check-in or late check-out, and resort credits. Those add-ons often translate into savings, says Justin Huxter, cofounder of the UK-based Cartology Travel . “We had a client go to Maui for a week, and because of our partnership with the resort, breakfast was included,” he says. When breakfast costs $120 for two, that’s a savings of $840.”

Some of the Best Travel Agents in the Adventure World

Some of my go-to resources for finding a person to work with include travel expert Wendy Perrin’s annual Wow List of tried and trusted agents, the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s adviser network , and the ASTA’s advisor directory .

In addition to the agents mentioned throughout this story, others I highly recommend for adventurous travelers include:

• Dan Achber of Trufflepig , for Africa and the Middle East
• Miguel Cunant of Sri Lanka in Style
• Javier Echecopar of Journey Costa Rica
• Daniel Fraser of Smiling Albino , for Southeast Asia
• Elizabeth Gordon of Extraordinary Journeys , for Africa
• Kleon Howe of the Art of Travel , for French Polynesia
• Jay Johnson of Coastline Travel , for Hawaii and California
• Antonello Losito of Southern Visions Travel , for Puglia, Italy
• Rabia Malik of Fora Travel , for general worldwide travel
• Robyn Mark of Mayamaya Travel , for Africa, the Alps, Patagonia, and Japan
• Marisol Mosquera of Aracari , for Peru and Bolivia
• Zach Rabinor of Journey Mexico
• Raluca Spiac of Beyond Dracula , for Romania

Travel-advice columnist Jen Murphy is now a believer in using a travel agent. Thanks to their expertise and connections, she’s avoided dozens of trip catastrophes. 

• South Africa

Popular on Outside Online

Enjoy coverage of racing, history, food, culture, travel, and tech with access to unlimited digital content from Outside Network's iconic brands.

Healthy Living

• Clean Eating
• Vegetarian Times
• Yoga Journal
• Fly Fishing Film Tour
• National Park Trips
• Warren Miller
• Fastest Known Time
• Trail Runner
• Women's Running
• Bicycle Retailer & Industry News
• FinisherPix
• Outside Events Cycling Series
• Outside Shop

© 2024 Outside Interactive, Inc

• Try Tess For Free

• Short Videos
• Live Training
• Recorded Webinars
• For The Agent
• For The Agency
• For The Host Agency
• The Tess Team

The software travel agents have been waiting for.

Simpler Smarter Everywhere

Whether you are a travel agent, a travel agency, or an agent host, Tess provides the tools and services that will help you build your business.

Tess by Travel eSolutions, LLC

Tess, by Travel eSolutions, LLC, is an online application completely dedicated to helping travel agents and agencies become more efficient and accurate. Whether you are a large host agency or a single agent Tess will save you time and money.

It all starts with your clients, managed in a custom CRM. You record the trips and bookings that you sell and Tess will help you track the payments you receive from the wholesaler or venue. Tess will calculate the commission through any number of agents and sub-agents to ensure that money is always reconciled and that you know if you have unpaid bookings.

Tess for the Travel Agent

Tess provides a travel agent with all of the tools they need to manage their business. The responsive web application works on any device, anytime, anywhere.

• CRM to manage all clients and leads
• Trips, Bookings, Documents, Invoices, Notes and Task
• Reports and Metrics
• Automated Bon Voyage and welcome home emails to your clients
• Recieve commission payments from Agency, Host, or Wholesaler
• View details on over 250,000 properties and ships
• Track your bookings across suppliers and destinations
• Manage group trips, from simple getaways to complex destination contracts
• Know when you have commissions due or overdue
• Build email templates in an easy to use designer
• Get help quickly through an integrated help desk

Tess for the Travel Agency

• Manage any number of agents and sub-agents at different comission levels
• Pay all agents with the click of a button
• Access your data anytime and import it into other systems for analysis
• Manage vendor/supplier details including metrics on usage
• Get help with custom reports and data extracts
• Completely replace ClientBase and Trams
• Individual support to help import your existing data

Tess for the Host Agency

Host agencies have unique needs and Tess scales to fill them seemlessly.

• Agents and agencies get all of the benefits of Tess listed above
• Manage commissions due, adjustments, unclaimed bookings, COOP, bonus
• Simple payment for all agents
• Integration with ACH systems
• Custom analytics based on your companies needs
• Free accounts for back office employees
• Custom pricing for large host agencies
• Custom integration with existing systems
• Custom import of historical data
• Completely replace ClientBase and Trams or keep them in place and seamlessly integrate

US CIA director to travel to Israel on Wednesday for talks with Netanyahu

Moscow is the biggest city in Russia as well as the Capital, and has over ten million people living here. Moscow sits right on the banks of the Moskva River. The weather here is kind of warm and a bit humid in the summers, but in the long winters it can get bitter cold because of its northern location.

This huge city has an incredibly rich cultural history, a multitude of attractions, historical buildings and interesting landmarks. The renowned onion domes of Saint Basil’s Cathedral are the most recognized, however, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior and the Seven Sisters are also magnificent. Here’s some of the most important attractions: Red Square, There are four wonderful Botanical Gardens, the Central Park of Culture and Rest, the Neskuchniy Garden, the Izmaylovsky Park, the Sokolnik Park, the Elk Park, and many, many more wonderful places to rest and relax.

We’ve been orchestrating Russia dream vacations for discriminating travelers for more than 20 years. It helps us help you, if you begin with our  vacation planner  we’ll make sure you have a lot of fun in Moscow, do everything for you; air, car, hotels and transfers; get you the best airfare rates, enjoy privileged access plus luxury amenities and special touches. You’ll travel confidently, save time and prevent costly mistakes.

Other must see attractions are: The Triumphal arch on Kutuzov Avenue, The Shukhov Tower, the Patriarshiye Ponds, Novodevichy Convent is one of the World Heritage Sites, the Tsaritsyno Park and palace, Ascension church in Kolomenskoye, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ostankino Palace, “Friendship of Nations” fountain in All-Russia Exhibition Center, Moscow International House of Music, The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow State Historical Museum, The Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts, Tretyakov Gallery, The Red Army theatre, the Central Moscow Hippodrome and that’s just a few exciting things to see.

Photo Gallery

Testimonials.

Wear a money belt to carry passport, credit cards, and cash. Never carry a purse with a shoulder strap, theives target them first. Forget travelers checks. Use ATM’s.

Your personal connection to the priceless experiences in every corner of the globe!

Advertisement

Supported by

Artificially Intelligent Help for Planning Your Summer Vacation

Travel-focused A.I. bots and more eco-friendly transportation options in online maps and search tools can help you quickly organize your seasonal getaway.

• Share full article

By J. D. Biersdorfer

J.D. Biersdorfer has been using smartphone apps for travel since the summer of 2007.

The summer travel season starts in just a few weeks, but if you are looking for software that goes beyond simply booking flights and hotels, you’re in luck. Search engines enhanced by artificial intelligence can help with your research and outline full itineraries. Certain older apps have recently been updated to suggest more eco-friendly travel options. And keeping it all organized on your phone is easier than ever. Here’s an overview.

Using an A.I. Travel Agent

General-purpose A.I.-powered search tools and chatbots like Google’s Gemini spin up a list of things to do on your vacation when asked, but A.I. bots that are fine-tuned for travel queries are often more comprehensive. These bots scout destinations, plan itineraries, search for accommodations and flights, map out road trips and do more — grabbing a lot of information at once and saving you all that time-consuming web trawling.

Give the software your specifics — like destination, length of stay, interests — and see what it suggests. Many A.I. helpers are free to use if you sign up for an account, but some charge a subscription fee for premium services; your app store has specifics.

Layla , formerly Roam Around, is one of the free vacation-oriented A.I. helpers you can find online, and it has teamed up with travel sites that include Skyscanner , Get Your Guide and Booking.com . If you prefer land-based car and camper journeys, Roadtrippers (free trial; $60 year) includes real-time traffic and air-quality information along with route planning. And old stalwarts like Tripadvisor and Expedia are now using A.I.-generated vacation builders.

But as others have also noted, while A.I. travel planners have much potential, many are still works in progress and usually display disclaimers admitting so.

A.I. bots have been known to offer generic advice like “enjoy lunch at a local restaurant,” suggest activities that are out of season or too far apart, repeatedly recommend the same restaurant, consistently steer you to their advertisers or point you to locations that have closed. If you ask different bots the same question, you may get nearly identical suggestions, all scraped from the same tourism websites.

Still, A.I. travel apps are improving as they learn, and can be useful for the trip research and coordination phase. Just be sure to double-check the bot’s work before you commit to a plan.

Finding Earth-Friendly Options

There’s no shortage of apps for booking transportation to your destination. But if you want to keep the environment in mind, recent updates to Google’s Maps and Search apps now suggest routes and methods that lower your personal impact on the planet.

Google for the past few years has been pointing people to flights with lower carbon emissions , alternative train routes , fuel-efficient driving directions and eco-friendly hotels . It is now expanding its walking, biking and public transit suggestions alongside car routes in several major cities and adding more electric-vehicle charging information. Google Flights shows jet emissions estimates . Google Search has a “consider taking the train” nudge with rail routes and prices under certain flight results.

Apple’s Maps app also shows mass transit , walking and cycling options for getting around town, along with charge-friendly routes for electric vehicles . However, the default apps on your phone are not the only aids. Third-party software for directions and sustainable travel abound.

For example, Citymapper, which covers most major cities in the United States, Europe and Asia, includes environmental impact statistics on some trips. Its directions often include accessibility options that avoid stairways , along with routes for the fastest, cheapest or easiest way to get where you’re going; Citymapper is free with in-app purchases.

Other apps available for those seeking environmentally minded vacations include Bikemap for community-sourced cycling routes around the world, HappyCow for vegan and vegetarian travelers and Tap Hydration and Water Stations to locate sources for refilling reusable water bottles.

Keeping Organized

If you don’t already have software for consolidating your trip information, your phone’s default apps can help. Electronic boarding passes, hotel reservations and advance tickets can be quickly added to the digital wallet on your phone; a pragmatic paper backup tucked in your bag is insurance. Google and Apple offer to automatically add reservations and events from email and messages to your calendar .

Free services like TripIt (and its phone apps ), TripCase (also with Android or iOS apps) and Wanderlog automatically put all your travel information in one place, typically by scanning the information in your confirmation emails. TripIt Pro , a $50-a-year subscription version, adds more features like seat, fare and airline-points trackers, as well as international travel tools and regional risk alerts like those for extreme weather that can affect airline schedules and public safety .

A.I. bots and travel apps will continue to evolve and, hopefully, make vacation planning even easier in the future. Just don’t forget to occasionally put the phone down and enjoy your time off once you get there.

J.D. Biersdorfer has been writing about consumer technology for The Times since 1998. She also creates the weekly interactive literary quiz for the Book Review and occasionally contributes reviews. More about J. D. Biersdorfer

Explore Our Coverage of Artificial Intelligence

News  and Analysis

As experts warn that A.I.-generated images, audio and video could influence the 2024 elections, OpenAI is releasing a tool designed to detect content created by DALL-E , its popular image generator.

American and Chinese diplomats plan to meet in Geneva to begin what amounts to the first, tentative arms control talks  over the use of A.I.

Wayve, a London maker of A.I. systems for autonomous vehicles, said that it had raised $1 billion , an illustration of investor optimism about A.I.’s ability to reshape industries.

The Age of A.I.

A new category of apps promises to relieve parents of drudgery, with an assist from A.I.  But a family’s grunt work is more human, and valuable, than it seems.

Despite Mark Zuckerberg’s hope for Meta’s A.I. assistant to be the smartest , it struggles with facts, numbers and web search.

Much as ChatGPT generates poetry, a new A.I. system devises blueprints for microscopic mechanisms  that can edit your DNA.

Which A.I. system writes the best computer code or generates the most realistic image? Right now, there’s no easy way to answer those questions, our technology columnist writes .

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Boost for travel agents as Race Across the World grips viewers

Viewing figures for the BBC One series are rising, along with bookings at travel companies that serve east Asia

No celebrities, no luxuries and a miserly £20,000 in prize money. On paper the BBC One series Race Across the World never looked like a hit.

And yet the travel programme, in which backpackers battle across distant sections of the planet, is now into its fourth season with audiences rising faster than a tuk-tuk driver can get you down Bangkok’s Khao San Road.

This time 5.5 million viewers have watched five two-person teams head off from Sapporo in northern Japan en route to the island of Lombok in Indonesia. That is almost a million more viewers than series three attracted, figures that are also setting records in travel companies that serve east Asia.

“Bookings for Japan are up 75%,” says James Mundy from the Inside Travel Group . “People were coming into our office to book the day after the first episode aired.” The company, which specialises in cultural engagement and off-the-beaten-track locations, has seen other countries benefit. “After Korea featured in the second show,” says Mundy, “bookings rose by 46%.”

Other travel operators are seeing the boost. “When the show started we saw a 30% increase in Japan searches,” says Jo Fairweather from Much Better Adventures , pointing out that the country’s unique mix of ancient traditions, pristine wilderness and futuristic cities is hugely attractive. Responsible Travel and Trailfinders have experienced similar rises.

It is not only Race Across the World that is exerting influence. Seamus McCauley, head of public affairs at travel company Holiday Extras has noticed the increasing role of television and film series in vacation choices.

“Season two of White Lotus boosted Italy, Malta is getting more attention through Gladiator 2 – television really can make large shifts in what’s fashionable.”

Those big-buck blockbusters are far from Race Across the World’s penny-pinching frugality, but therein lies its charm: limited cash means contestants cannot simply leap into a taxi, and certainly not on a plane – that’s forbidden. Not only that, phones and credit cards are taken away.

For older viewers it looks like student travel circa 1980. Cash is eked out, locals consulted, leading to fascinating diversions. Mother and daughter Eugenie and Isabel, whose relationship can be tense, do a memorable homestay in a Cambodian floating village.

after newsletter promotion

Frequently the friendliness is matched by the yawning cultural chasm: 20-year-old Owen baffles a Shinto priest with a breezy, “Chill out”. Contestants dig deep and learn fast.

The result is a glimpse into the kind of travel that many yearn for: genuine adventures where strangers turn out to be good people and travellers go home with compelling stories to tell.

Most viewed

We've detected unusual activity from your computer network

To continue, please click the box below to let us know you're not a robot.

Why did this happen?

Please make sure your browser supports JavaScript and cookies and that you are not blocking them from loading. For more information you can review our Terms of Service and Cookie Policy .

For inquiries related to this message please contact our support team and provide the reference ID below.