Travel Counsellors has called for accommodation suppliers to develop a common standard for destination and hotel codes. Inconsistent destination and hotel codes are a major gripe for travel agents, according to Paul Speakman, IT director at home-based agency chain Travel Counsellors. Speaking at the conference, Speakman said suppliers often change codes, which can cause them to…
Travel Counsellors calls for common standards
Travel Counsellors has called for accommodation suppliers to develop a common standard for destination and hotel codes.
Inconsistent destination and hotel codes are a major gripe for travel agents, according to Paul Speakman, IT director at home-based agency chain Travel Counsellors.
Speaking at the conference, Speakman said suppliers often change codes, which can cause them to drop off the travel agency system.
“The main problem we have is inconsistent hotel and place codes. It would be good if all bed banks had standard codes. Some have reindexed all their hotel identities and then they drop off the system because they have renamed them,” he said.
Similarly, Speakman said operating XML feeds to a number of bed banks was difficult to manage.
“We have 20 XML feeds to bed banks and 15 are live, but they all work differently.
“If there was one common system it would be easier for us. They are difficult to integrate and some of them do not work well because
of poor data.
“Some insist on us holding images and descriptions locally, which is awkward because it leads to more maintenance,” Speakman added.
More information:
* Travel Counsellors to expand tour operation (Travel Weekly, September 3, 2009)
