The biggest challenge modern day travel agents face is competing with online travel agencies. As internet usage patterns shift towards smart phones, the mobile device battle field is where travel agencies are losing the way. It’s a technology driven, full frontal assault that is making survival difficult.

Time for travel agents to innovate, fight back, or perish.

When we visit travel agents for roomsXML, a common theme is how they are struggling to compete with the likes of Expedia and wotif, raising concerns about the new B2C sites emerging from within their franchise groups that will compete with them.

Interesting fact: Expedia has twice as many hits as the next B2C competitor…. so by using Expedia, travel agents are supporting a business that will drive them out of business in the long run.

Facts about travel and the mobile space:

• Globally about 50% of all travel is booked online
• Behind Singapore, Australia has the highest uptake of smart phones in the world per capita
• 60 to 75% of all Australian websites don't operate properly on a mobile device
• Many airlines now have mobile applications
• Consumers have a strong interest in mobile devices

The travel agent doesn’t feature in the above list, making them extremely vulnerable in the mobile space

Travel Agents: Some tips on how to create opportunities on mobile devices and get smarter on Smart Phones

• Make sure your website works on Apple and Android devices
• Form partnerships, create apps, get mobile exposure, get your brand into their hand
• Create a blog that is specifically tailored for mobile device users
• Find app’s that you can brand as your own to improve your mobile device penetration
• If you are pretending mobile doesn't matter, take your head out of the sand