Expedia Group is running events across the world today to recognise its TAAP (Travel Agent Affiliate Programme) partners.
Global Travel Advisor Day activity covering 16 events is taking place across three continents including the UK.
The UK appreciation event is involving about 60 partners in London in conjunction with Marriott and Chicago DMC.
New products are to be unveiled while some existing services are being expanded to new markets across the Expedia TAAP global booking platform that connects travel advisors to the group’s global portfolio of hotels, holiday rentals, flights, packages, car rentals, and activities.
The online travel giant noted that its deferred payment initiative, launched in 2021, has been introduced to 30 out of 32 TAAP markets across the globe, the most recent being Brazil and China.
This partners and agencies to pay later for accommodation bookings. More than 16,000 agencies on the Expedia TAAP platform have already enabled deferred payments.
Group research has shown that the booking window for a travel agency booking is typically much longer than direct customer bookings, with an average six-month timeline.
The company said: “Most agencies take a small deposit from the traveller while paying the full amount owed to Expedia Group at the time of booking.
“Deferred payments enables agencies to better manage their cash flow by being able to pay Expedia Group closer to the check-in date and having more flexibility through the pay later option.
“This will enable travel partners of all sizes to better balance their budgets and serve more bookings.”
A travel advisor loyalty scheme is being expanded from the US to Canada and Mexico.
The programme rewards advisors for choosing to book with Expedia TAAP, offering them the opportunity to earn points on accommodation bookings, which can be redeemed for gift cards from popular retailers.
Expedia TAAP vice president Robin Lawther said: “Global Travel Advisor Day presents the ideal opportunity for Expedia Group to show its appreciation for our travel advisors across all markets.
“Today’s announcement shows our commitment to support them in a variety of new ways – improving our service offering so they can continue to attract new customers and support existing ones through more personalised services that better respond to their needs, while also creating a product that allows them to more effectively manage their cash flow.”