A start-up bringing together travel agents and travellers in an online community is to be launched across the UK and Europe from April. The first phase of Tripshake, which aims to build up a community of users by enabling them to ask and receive answers on travel questions, has already gone live. The next step…
Tripshake agent-consumer social site to launch in the UK in April
A start-up bringing together travel agents and travellers in an online community is to be launched across the UK and Europe from April.
The first phase of Tripshake, which aims to build up a community of users by enabling them to ask and receive answers on travel questions, has already gone live.
The next step is to build the travel agency community and Tripshake is approaching large retail chains as well as smaller independent agencies, which are experts in a particular destination or sector.
The Tripshake travel agency community will initially be available in Italy followed by the UK.
Chief executive Antonio Bonanno told Travolution: “The idea came from us analysing what travel agents need to join the conversation on the internet. They know how to do their job but it is frustrating for them not to be able to do it as they used to.”
Agents will have their own page within the site and be able to build up a following of current and prospective customers. They will also be provided with information and customer relationship tools to track business.
Agents will be required to pay a small monthly fee to be part of the community.
Bonanno said the start-up also wants to build up a bank of experts such as travel writers, journalists and experienced travellers to contribute to the site.
Tripshake plans to make its revenue from advertising on the site as well as commissions from direct sales.
