Customer Retention Programs For Travel Agencies in 2018
Customer
retention programs focus on making travel easier and more enjoyable for
clients. This is an important part of retention. Millennials are especially the
focus of such retention efforts. For example, Air France launched an airline
geared towards those born in 1980 or beyond. Over 78 percent of Millennial
customers say they spend their cash on the experience. So the travel industry
is seeing a spike in the recent times. But keeping diverse customers happy
requires game-changing retention moves from the travel industry. Brands are
boosting customer retention rates and efforts accordingly. Here’s how travel
agencies are boosting retention in 2018.
- Focus on Quick Responses
There’s
no getting away from the certainty that one lives in an age of instant communication.
Texts are sent instead of emails and same-day delivering is a standard, now.
It’s all about spending less time waiting and more time enjoying services and
innovative offerings. When instant responses are combined with customer service
that is winning, you’ve got an unbeatable retention tool. This is where travel
bots are important. Akin to other AI platforms, bots are gaining ground in the
travel industry.
Automated
tools can answer customer questions pertaining to booking straight from the website
or messenger platforms. This gives customers the quick responses and
information or assistance they critically need to remain engaged with your
brand. For example, Expedia showcased its travel bot that permits travellers to
book accommodation through Facebook Messenger. Users can inform the bot about
the time and location preference and the bot helps to narrow down the search.
It’s like a virtual assistant in the palm of your hands.
- Managing Client Concerns
In
an industry where a lot can go wrong, from overbooking to delayed flights,
travel companies need to study ways to value customers by reducing travel
hassles. Giving travellers peace of mind can make the process of clearance and
travelling flawless and seamless. The focus is on improving overall experience
and help customers to remain loyal.
Customer
retention programs now focus on not buying loyalty, but showing that they care
about customers instead. This proves customers are not just a number or source
of revenue and this goes a long way when it comes to loyalty and retention.
Viral marketing efforts work well with customers. Airline company Westjet, for
example, surprised flyers with gifts from Christmas lists showing they care and
going out of their way to ensure customer satisfaction. The travel agency needs
to take a personalised approach to exceed customer expectations. This helps to
raise brand awareness as well.
- Stand Out From Competitors
When
used effectively, customer retention programs for travel agencies can be a wonderful way to create
a sense of community and loyalty, encouraging travellers to become a part of
the family so that they engage with the brand in the long run. Loyalty programs
or customer rewards can be a wonderful way to create non-price linked
differentiators and provides an extremely competitive edge.
Discounts
and special offers are important incentives and should be in line with the
priorities of your business. Really understanding customers means understanding
sense of worth and value. Based on the industry, customers can find value in
non-monetary or discounted rewards. Companies also offer promotional discounts
and coupons, but travel agencies also have to connect with their audience.
Customer
retention programs for travel agencies in 2018 increasingly focus on going
beyond just spending-based incentives, earning points or money-based
incentives. The need of the hour is a retention program that anticipates
customer needs and requirements, too. That forms the core of successful
customer retention strategies for travel agencies.