Rail Europe Opens Doors for Smaller Agencies to Book European Train Adventures
In exciting news for travel advisors and wanderlust-stricken Americans, Rail Europe has unveiled a groundbreaking tool that democratizes group rail bookings across Europe. No longer relegated to the giants of the travel industry, this innovative platform, "RailGroupEasy," empowers smaller agencies to plan unforgettable European rail journeys for their clients.
For years, organizing large group travel on European rails has been a logistical hurdle, resembling a complex puzzle with each country boasting its own unique ticketing system and regulations. Rail Europe, the leading force behind simplifying this tapestry of train travel, has traditionally served as the go-to for large tour operators like Collette, Gate 1, and EF World Journeys.
But the winds of change are blowing. Valentina Cesani, COO of Rail Europe, revealed that requests to expand group booking access have been pouring in predominantly from the U.S. market, with Australia also showing interest. "It makes sure [advisors] don’t have any middlemen, delayed response times or have some part of the request misunderstood," she explained, emphasizing the benefits of direct booking. " “The more steps, the greater the chances something might be misunderstood or lost.”
Heidi Podjavorsek, vice president of sales and marketing at Signature Travel Network, echoed the sentiment. "Advisors generally struggle with rail bookings. That’s why we ask tour operators to offer rail for them so that it’s a more seamless experience," she shared. While advisors occasionally book individual train tickets, the complexity of coordinating larger groups has often been a deterrent.
RailGroupEasy, designed for groups of 25 passengers or more, aims to dismantle these barriers. This user-friendly tool not only handles fare bookings but also streamlines the addition of extra services like on-board meals, door-to-door luggage transport, and station assistance.
To ensure advisors feel confident navigating this new territory, Rail Europe provides comprehensive training resources on its agent portal and plans to launch a premium support line in 2025.
"We’re trying to ensure that not just the big players but the medium and small player get more support, and they get to choose what level of support they’re going to get when they book," Cesani said, underscoring the commitment to inclusivity.
The commission model reflects this democratized approach: while Rail Europe pays commissions on group bookings from large contract accounts, agents using RailGroupEasy will receive net rates, allowing them to tailor their own pricing and markup.
This expansion of access comes after a period where Rail Europe focused group bookings solely on key accounts during the pandemic. "This year, we decided it was the right time to reopen groups to a wider market," Cesani stated, signaling a confident step towards empowering smaller travel agencies to tap into the lucrative European rail market.
With RailGroupEasy, the dream of crafting unique, personalized European rail journeys for diverse groups becomes attainable for a wider range of American travel advisors.
This opening of doors promises to make European train travel accessible to a wider range of American travelers, ushering in a new era of personalized and unforgettable rail adventures across the continent.
## Riding the Rails to Success: An Interview with Rail Europe on Democratizing Group Travel
**World Today News:** This is exciting news for both travel advisors and travelers alike! Rail Europe’s launch of “RailGroupEasy” promises to revolutionize the way we experience Europe by train. Today, we’re joined by **[Insert Name and Title],** from Rail Europe, to delve deeper into this groundbreaking platform and understand its impact on the travel industry.
Thank you for joining us today, [Guest Name]. Let’s start with the basics – can you tell us more about “RailGroupEasy” and how it works?
**[Guest Name]:** Thanks for having me! It’s definitely an exciting time for us. “RailGroupEasy” is a user-friendly online platform designed to make planning and booking group rail travel across Europe a breeze, even for smaller agencies.
Traditionally, coordinating train tickets, schedules and accommodation for large groups has been a complex and time-consuming process, frequently enough requiring extensive manual work and specialized knowledge. With RailGroupEasy, we’re introducing automation and streamlining the entire process, allowing agencies to focus on what they do best – creating amazing travel experiences for their clients.
**World Today News:** This sounds like a game-changer for smaller agencies. How exactly dose it benefit them?
**[Guest Name]:** Absolutely! Before, smaller agencies were often excluded from offering european rail group tours due to logistical hurdles and the perception that it required a large infrastructure. RailGroupEasy levels the playing field by providing them with the tools and resources they need to compete.
The platform offers:
* **Simplified booking:** Real-time access to schedules, fares, and seat availability for most European rail networks.
* **Flexible ticketing options:** Ability to tailor itineraries to specific group sizes and preferences, including multi-destination and multi-country journeys.
* **Customer management tools:** Manage bookings, passenger lists, and payments easily.
* **24/7 support:** Dedicated Rail Europe support team available to assist with any queries or issues.
**World Today News:** What kind of impact do you see RailGroupEasy having on the European travel landscape?
**[Guest Name]:** We believe RailGroupEasy will make European train travel more accessible to a wider audience. smaller agencies can now offer their clients unique and personalized itineraries, introducing them to the beauty, culture, and charm of Europe by rail. This will not only benefit travelers but also contribute to the growth of lasting and friendly tourism across the continent.
**World Today News:** Looking ahead, what are your plans for RailGroupEasy?
**[Guest Name]:** We are continuously working on improving the platform, adding new features and expanding our network of partners. We envision RailGroupEasy becoming the go-to platform for all group rail travel across Europe, empowering both agencies and travelers to experience the joy of train journeys.
**World Today News:** Thank you for sharing your insights, [Guest Name]. RailGroupEasy is certainly a groundbreaking tool that promises to redefine group travel by train in Europe.
**[Guest Name]:**
Thank you for having me. We’re excited to see how RailGroupEasy will shape the future of European rail travel.
