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Train Chartering is inviting early-adopter travel agents worldwide to join Open Access Rail for beta testing. Open Access Rail is an innovative new booking system that makes booking luxury, tourist and special train journeys simpler than ever before.
Open Access Rail (OAR) is an independent low-cost rail reservation and travel agent payment system connecting travel agents with train operating companies worldwide. As well as luxury and tourist trains, OAR also makes special rail services available such as airport rail links, charter trains to sporting events and steam train trips.
Until now, it’s been difficult for travel agents to access this variety of rail products quickly, without a lot of extra work. Working in multiple currencies, languages and with many different booking systems and timetables is complex and time-consuming. Open Access Rail overcomes these problems with its consistent and clear presentation. The OAR booking system connects travel agents with some of the world’s greatest and lesser-known train journeys; offering them a new suite of products worldwide without issues such as multi-currency settlement, language differences or complex booking arrangements.
“Open Access Rail offers travel agents access to a whole new world of rail products and tickets as well giving train operating companies worldwide access to thousands of travel agents for increased sales revenue,” says Simon Pielow, Managing Director of Train Chartering, which has developed OAR.
One key advantage of OAR for both travel agents and train operating companies is the secure payment and multi-currency settlement. This means, for example, that a US travel agent can book and settle in US dollars, whilst a train operating company outside the States can receive payment in Euros, GBP or other currency of choice.
OAR charges nothing to set-up for either travel agent or train company, and there are no subscription charges. Rail journeys operated by companies registered on Open Access Rail is presented free of charge to travel agents in a clear and consistent way, enabling simple, effective and fast bookings; OAR earns commission-based revenue from train companies.
OAR’s database requirements are covered by a flexible reservations and inventory management solution that was originally developed for airlines, including travel agency and internet ticket sales and bookings.
OAR’s benefits for travel agents include:
– Direct access to new train travel products
– Additional sales opportunities with OAR’s specialised rail-related content
– Savings through administrative & operational efficiencies
– An easy and intuitive website and booking system
Train operating companies registered with OAR benefit from:
– Additional revenue, improved cash flow and increased profitability
– Inventory Control with optional Seat Allocation
– Direct access to the travel trade, mostly new business
– Extensive Revenue & Sales reporting
– Branded web pages with full information and complimentary online marketing
“We’re inviting travel agents worldwide to join our beta phase testing and be the first to see and use the Open Access Rail booking system. We’ll be listening closely to feedback, so this is an opportunity for travel trade professionals to take part in building a system that is designed with them in mind.”
Train Chartering began operations over 13 years ago and now encompasses a product portfolio offering everything from private rail car rentals, to luxury train journeys worldwide, train branding, private train charters to major sports events, corporate hospitality, incentive travel and large group train travel.
“There are many great rail products available worldwide but a good number of them are either unknown to the travel trade or difficult to book, and so denying choice to their customers. The majority of train companies have had little or no direct access to travel agencies until now. Open Access Rail is the missing link which connects travel agents and the rail businesses – with benefits for all.”
Open Access Rail is set to launch later this year, but is actively inviting travel agents to pre-register interest for the beta testing phase of the site. OAR is also in discussion with a network of train operating companies worldwide for an increasing range of journeys. These include luxury trains such as the Blue Train in South Africa and train tours in Spain, to tourist trains e.g. steam train day trips, to air rail links and to special trains like charters to the Cheltenham Festival and the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in London, celebrating 60 years of the HM Queen’s reign.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
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