According to the research, when booking a hotel, tour attractions or other travel experiences, we visit up to 35 websites. Only four websites, however, will be unique. Travelers prefer to book everything through a single platform, from a restaurant table to airline tickets. That is why the travel industry shares data, which is made possible by API solutions. This post will discuss the importance of APIs in travel technology and identify key trends.
Why Do You Need an API?
Consider the benefits you may have built into your service or product to understand the importance of API in travel technology. API enables easier access to data sources, allowing travel companies to provide better experiences to their customers. What does this mean in practice? API enables data collection from lodging and transportation providers, as well as traffic updates, on a single website.
What are the most common API types in the travel industry?
- Global Distribution System (GDS) API is essentially a collection of web services for obtaining supply from various providers, such as cruise lines, airlines, railways, car rental companies, and hotel chains. This solution accessible via a hypertext transfer protocol and runs on a system that provides the necessary services. In plain English, this allows a business to gain legal access to the outcomes of other businesses. The GDS API is in charge of the automated updating of inventory knowledge.
- Accommodations and Bedbanks API collects data on room reservations as well as niche lodging information. Booking the room and managing the reservation from the same platform is convenient. VacAgent AB, which provides GDS for professionally managed vacation rentals, is a good example.
- OTAs. If using GDSs and Accommodations APIs is too costly for your company, starting by collaborating with online travel agencies that offer affiliate programs and APIs can be a great solution. While this method is not as popular as GDSs, it’s a viable option for small businesses, startups, or enthusiasts who need access to booking APIs.
- Public Transportation. APIs help support getting-around experience. Car rental is not a necessity for every traveler. In addition, there has been a recent movement toward making cities more pedestrian-friendly, particularly in Europe. Consequently, using public transportation is an essential component of the travel experience. Uber has its own API for integrating the "request a ride" function into third-party applications. The API is now used in well-known products such as TripAdvisor, Google Maps or Transit App. There are also numerous alternatives to consider when it comes to APIs for public transportation.
GDS systems provide the most extensive data coverage, whereas niche providers provide more task-specific APIs.
How API Can Benefit Travel Tech?
It may seem obvious, but without an API, it will be too difficult to improve the user experience or provide the best booking options in the modern travel business. But what else does it have to offer the industry?
- Connecting data and users in an efficient manner.
API allows you to not only connect data from various sources, but also manage it appropriately and respond quickly to changes in reservations.
- Connecting data and users in an efficient manner.
API allows you to not only connect data from various sources, but also manage it appropriately and respond quickly to changes in reservations.
- Obtaining information on a great deal of destinations.
To manage flight, tour activities or lodging arrangements you must rely on real-time data from various sources. API allows users to share availability and pricing data, which is useful for monitoring and comparing the rates from various suppliers.
- Obtaining information on a great deal of destinations.
To manage flight, tour activities or lodging arrangements you must rely on real-time data from various sources. API allows users to share availability and pricing data, which is useful for monitoring and comparing the rates from various suppliers.
- Developing new solutions.
API also enhances the possibilities for creative solutions. It is a great boost for websit’s operators because it allows them to identify the issues in real time and respond accordingly. Manage the data, for example, based on how extreme weather conditions or local government restrictions may affect the destination.
API also enhances the possibilities for creative solutions. It is a great boost for websit’s operators because it allows them to identify the issues in real time and respond accordingly. Manage the data, for example, based on how extreme weather conditions or local government restrictions may affect the destination.
- Improving user experience.
What could be more effective in communicating with clients than providing them with all of the necessary information? API enhances user experience and, as a result, strengthens client relationships.
- Improving user experience.
What could be more effective in communicating with clients than providing them with all of the necessary information? API enhances user experience and, as a result, strengthens client relationships.
What could be more effective in communicating with clients than providing them with all of the necessary information? API enhances user experience and, as a result, strengthens client relationships.
How to Select the Best Travel API?
We've only scratched the surface of the available travel APIs iceberg to provide you with basic information on integration capabilities shared by the travel community. Whether you decide to use one of the products described above or look for something else entirely, there are some general guidelines that can help you choose an API that is appropriate for your needs.
- Popularity matters.
Popularity isn't just a sign of quality; it also builds a product's community. More developers using the API means more pitfalls your team can resolve through communication. A developer forum is another good sign!
Popularity isn't just a sign of quality; it also builds a product's community. More developers using the API means more pitfalls your team can resolve through communication. A developer forum is another good sign!
- Check paperwork.
Look for FAQs. Some providers don't display paperwork upfront, requiring an additional contracts. Try a demo if the documentation is not public.
- Customize.
How customizable are APIs? Can you retrieve specific data records or the whole bundle? Sabre or Amadeus APIs are customizable.
How customizable are APIs? Can you retrieve specific data records or the whole bundle? Sabre or Amadeus APIs are customizable.
- Limits.
Linguistic, regional or partnership-related limitations. Most owners will ask to contact their support teams or describe limitations. - Consider specific APIs.
Don't use only standard APIs and always look for market opportunities – 3rd party APIs and solutions can help solve problems you've tried to solve for a long time. - API marketplaces,
such as Cyclr, that provide an interface to search and evaluate popular APIs. The travel API market is large, and new marketplaces are emerging. - Standardize.
Even if an API has a great feature list and functionality, make sure your developers check REST and SOAP compliance.
As the world and the travel industry become more connected, APIs implementation and the appropriate strategy for working with them will determine whether you are able to source the appropriate data and, ultimately, provide sufficient value to your customers.
Final Thoughts
API became the most efficient tool in the industry for facilitating clients acquisitions and user experience while optimizing revenue streams. It also facilitates the acceleration of digital transformation and the rapid response to changes. If you work in the travel industry and are thinking about API integration or development, DevPals experts can help!