The travel industry continually evolves, and with it, the tools that empower travel advisors to provide exceptional services to their clients. Preferred Hotels & Resorts has made a significant leap forward by launching a comprehensive portal tailored specifically for travel advisors. This innovative platform brings together the core functions that advisors need, consolidating previously fragmented booking processes into a cohesive and intuitive system.
With over 600 independent hotels in its portfolio, Preferred Hotels & Resorts recognized the necessity of streamlining operations for its travel partners. The new portal allows advisors to search and book hotels, monitor reservations in real-time, and gain insights into their earned commissions—all from a single location. This centralization not only saves time but enhances the overall booking experience for both advisors and their clients.
One of the standout features of the portal is the analytics dashboard called My Insights. This powerful tool enables travel advisors to dive deep into their performance metrics, providing valuable data regarding both active and historical reservations. For instance, advisors can track revenue trends and total room nights booked, allowing for data-driven decision-making that can lead to improved sales strategies and better service delivery.
The ability to analyze performance metrics is crucial in today’s competitive market where informed decisions can spell the difference between thriving and merely surviving. By equipping advisors with these insights, Preferred Hotels & Resorts reinforces its commitment to partnership, giving them the necessary tools to enhance their offerings to clients.
The portal is not just a one-size-fits-all solution. For members of the invitation-only Preferred Platinum program, there are exclusive benefits that heighten the user experience. Notably, this section features a dedicated search page for Preferred Platinum properties alongside automatic access to special rates tailored for these premium clients.
Additionally, the Small Social Group Requests tool exemplifies how Preferred Hotels & Resorts is catering to the unique demands of group bookings. This feature allows advisors to secure immediate confirmations for requests involving up to 15 rooms without the arduous process of negotiating a group contract. Such innovations uniquely position the travel advisors to expedite the booking process, eliminating unnecessary hurdles that customers typically face in group travel scenarios.
Enhancing the Travel Advisor Experience
Prior to the launch of this portal, travel advisors had to navigate information from various platforms, including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), the Preferred website, and several call centers. The new Travel Advisor Portal not only consolidates these functions but also enhances the efficiency and ease of access. Cheryl Williams, Chief Revenue Officer of Preferred Travel Group, emphasizes the firm’s dedication to the travel advisor community, noting that this tool exemplifies their commitment to making business operations smoother.
As the travel landscape continues to shift in response to evolving consumer needs and preferences, tools like this portal are essential in ensuring that travel advisors can provide exceptional services. By harnessing technology, Preferred Hotels & Resorts is taking a definitive step toward empowering advisors, enhancing accessibility to superior travel experiences, and ultimately fostering a stronger connection between advisors and clients.