52pc of European travel agents want improved automation tools to reduce time on mundane tasks

A Europe wide survey suggests that 52pc of European travel agents want improved automation tools to reduce time spent on administrative tasks.

This is greater than the number who wish for of AI-based tools (29pc) or advanced data analysis (32pc). The main concern of 30pc of travel agents is to meet customer expectations. When it comes to policy, one-third (30pc) of travel agents want changes in travel regulations and policies, while 21pc cite financial instability and bankruptcy risks.

Among the activities that demand the most time are managing changes in bookings (17pc) and repetitive administrative tasks (16pc). This is what causes travel agents to lose the most time, as indicated by 35pc. Spain the highest percentage within Europe, where it reaches 21pc, while in countries like Italy or France, it is below 20pc.

English travel agents spend most time (55pc) finding the best deals, followed by France (53pc). Reducing paperwork is the main demand for 37pc travel agents, the same percentage of those who would like to have higher commissions followed by high competition and the challenge of maintaining desired revenues (22pc each).