Bedsonline to launch new products for travel agents

Bedsonline, the Spain-headquartered provider of accommodation and complementary travel products exclusively for travel agents, announced the launch of a new enhanced offering for its customers to compete with established rivals.

After integration of two competitor businesses acquired in 2017 by its parent group, Hotelbeds, customers of Bedsonline are now able to benefit from an exclusive product portfolio of hotels - a significant proportion of which are directly contracted - and a platform specifically designed to drive growth in the highly competitive travel retail space.

Stuart Dale, Bedsonline's regional sales director for Asia, said the company will continue to deploy resources in China, as it has seen fast growth in this market. The country's well-developed civil aviation market and huge middle-income earner base will support the company's growth in the world's second-largest economy.

"We will work with other partners to develop more customized products to meet the demands of different online travel agencies from China, such as those seeking thrills and adventure, those wanting a more luxurious experience and those want a purely relaxing holiday," he said.

With the new offerings, the company will distribute through its online platform accommodation, excursions, tickets and transfers to more than 50,000 travel agencies with sales teams in over 40 countries covering over 100 markets globally.

Supported by over 5,000 staff, the company stands out for its extensive portfolio - over 170,000 hotels in 185 destinations, 24,000 transfer routes and 18,000 activities - to offer a personalized local service through an intuitive and easy-to-use online booking tool.

Dale said the company has already introduced credit payment services to clients in China with big-ticket orders and loyal partners, also gaining discounts when they have higher credit, adding Bedsonline is looking for double-digit growth in China from a long-term perspective, much of which will be contributed by lower-tier cities.

The business-to-business online provider has focused its strategy in recent years on the expansion of new markets in Europe, America and Asia, such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Mexico, the United States, Colombia, China, Japan and the Philippines. This strategic vision has led the company to occupy an advantaged position in the industry.

With a prosperous Chinese economy, more supportive policies and mature tourism facilities, Chinese tourists' willingness and travel agencies' service categories will keep upgrading and their needs for overseas tourism will become more diverse in the future, said Vincent Zha, Bedsonline's regional sales manager for China.