Eurostar has struck deals with third-party operators to allow agents to dynamically package its products.
Eurostar has previously only been available through Rail Europe, but the company has signed one deal for its inventory to go on to Lastminute.com and another with Multicom, which puts together the flexible trips packages for Thomas Cook. Eurostar inventory will appear on Expedia and Travelocity later this year, while an agreement with Galileo is in the pipeline.
Eurostar senior national account manager Louise Arnold said: “Agents can go to our website and charge a service fee for bookings or they can use a third party that is directionally selling our products. These agreements allow us to take advantage of dynamic packaging.”
Lastminute has reported a steady increase in customers booking Eurostar seats, with a rising number forming part of dynamically packaged breaks to the continent.
It said 80% of customers booking Eurostar tickets were using Lastminute to put together their holidays this summer, a significant increase over the past six months.
Lastminute has helped Eurostar shift more tickets through the trade following a decision by the train operator to make its inventory available.
Lastminute head of holidays Matt Cheevers said: “Since the introduction of Eurostar seats on our site, sales have grown consistently, especially among those travellers packaging their own breaks.
“We are also working closely with Eurostar on launching initiatives including TGV sales, exclusive carriages and charter trains and expect this rising sales trend to continue.”
Eurostar head of e-commerce John Davies added: “The agreements have increased business as customers can book seats, a hotel and car hire through us.”
The UK’s main rail companies are also trying to embrace dynamic packaging.
Virgin Trains said it supported the development of dynamic packaging across the UK. The company cited its high-speed Pendolino train services as being suitable for agents to dynamically package. Virgin said its airline-style ‘single sector’ pricing meant customers could get the best price for each leg of a journey.
A spokeswoman said: “In conjunction with both tour operators and other rail retailers, Virgin wants to see attractive package options made available to woo the leisure traveller.”
First Great Western sales and distribution manager Paul Wright said that its website had a comprehensive ticket booking facility for customers and agents.
