The Travel Counsellors group has taken the first step in the integration of Planisto within its dynamic packaging platform Phenix. This award-winning custom technology was acquired from the bankrupt EURAM in January this year. The Dutch and Belgian Travel Counsellors can now use Planisto technology again. The next steps revolve around the further integration of Planisto into the myTC app, the expansion of the destinations and the roll-out of Planisto within the other Travel Counsellors companies. ‘In recent weeks, we have worked hard to integrate Planisto into the Travel Counsellors landscape. This included, among other things, adopting the entire corporate identity, linking suppliers, rewriting texts and setting up support,” says Fred van Eijk, Managing Director of Travel Counsellors Netherlands and Belgium.
‘From 19 February, our Travel Counsellors in the Netherlands and Belgium will be able to use the tool for the USA and Canada again. The acquisition of Planisto fits perfectly with our vision to offer our Travel Counsellors the best tools on the market, developed exclusively in-house.” Vincent Hekkert, formerly of EURA and now Business Development Manager at Travel Counsellors, adds: “This is just the beginning. We are already in advanced discussions to see how Planisto can be integrated into Travel Counsellors Phenix and the myTC app. I am immensely proud that we were able to take this first step so quickly. It was fantastic to get to know the international departments, who have been extremely helpful. This was real teamwork. A logical next step is to roll out the route builder and quote/roadbook generator to the other Travel Counsellors companies. My first trips to Manchester are already planned.’ The acquisition of Planisto is a strategic move by Travel Counsellors to strengthen its position in the market and to serve their customers even better, the company says.
‘This not only means a strategic acquisition, but also a new chapter in the further growth of the organisation. At the same time as the acquisition, Planisto’s developers and creators started a new career at Travel Counsellors, which allows the integration of the technology to be seamless. With the integration of these innovative technologies, Travel Counsellors continues to be at the forefront of the travel industry.” For Travel Counsellor Bianca Brouwer, Planisto has been her favourite system for putting together round trips for years.
‘It was great to hear that Travel Counsellors took over the system after the bankruptcy. Fortunately, we can now use it again. The ease of selecting destinations on the map first and then adding the products such as hotels and activities makes it extremely user-friendly. Together with the customer, you can look at the different options and determine the route along the way. If the date changes, you can adjust it and all segments will be adjusted automatically. The proposal looks great, the customer can click on the places in the route and see the hotels. This way, you can create anticipation when making a proposal. And with the travel documents, you can make it personal by means of the roadbook containing all the information and tips that the customer needs during his trip. This makes the trip an unforgettable experience.’ Photo: Fred van Eijk and Vincent Hekkert share the news about Planisto with the Travel Counsellors in a live TCTV broadcast, the internal weekly TV broadcast of Travel Counsellors.
