Independent tour operators, rail providers and car rental companies could be next to feel the Tingo effect says new research.
The WTM Global Trends Report reveals that more consumer focused concepts, such as Tingo, could change the way Brits book their holidays.
TripAdvisor-owned Tingo, unveiled earlier this year, rebooks hotel rooms for consumers if the price goes down and refunds them the difference.
It’s not the only one in the game with others such as Backbid, AutoSlash for car rental and Yapta for flights also trying to change the dynamic and ‘empower’ consumers.
The WTM report, carried out with Euromonitor International, says Tingo has already clawed back £56,000 in refunds by August and that other sectors of the industry could go down the same route.
The study also anticipates existing players, including Expedia, will follow suit in a similar way that Priceline released its own same-day booking offering following the success of HotelTonight.
Quoted in the report Tingo’s general manager David Krauter says:
“We are effectively the customer’s watchdog for the room rate they decide to pay. The one thing we are seeing that is really positive for the industry is that the people who book with us tend to have a much larger booking window.”
Meanwhile, Euromonitor International’s Caroline Bremner believes these emerging concepts will be driven by Gen Y and those not signed up to loyalty schemes.
Other predictions revealed in the report include hotels shunning technology to allow guests to switch off and the opportunities for travel presented by smart TV.
