More ways to win: how rides drive value for travel wholesalers

Wholesalers play a key role in connecting travel agencies, tour operators, and corporate travel planners with the best services and products available.

But the travel industry’s changing - fast.

With margins disappearing faster than you can say NDC, it’s harder than ever for travel businesses to earn their crust on core verticals like flights and hotels alone.

Factor in growing consumer demand for more convenient, stress-free travel experiences, and longer tail, off-the-beaten-track destinations, and the pressure on B2B intermediaries like travel wholesalers to set themselves apart in a brutally competitive market has never been higher.

So, what do you do in the face of such seemingly insurmountable odds?

Diversification is key - and including higher volume, value-adding services, like pre-bookable private transfers, in your offering can be a revenue-bolstering lifeline that helps travel wholesalers create value for their customers and stand out in a sea of sameness.

So, let’s explore why now is the perfect time to hit the gas on ground transportation.

The changing travel landscape: why transfers matter more than ever

For today’s travelers convenience is crucial. They don’t want to waste time queuing for a taxi after a long flight. Or wrapping their heads round a new city’s public transportation system.

Recent data shows that 34% of travelers find it distressing getting to their hotel from the airport, rising to 41% for business travelers.

In fact, transit - including getting to/from the airport and destination - is ranked one of the most stressful parts of a journey, second only to airport security.

Reliable, pre-bookable transfers are more than just an add-on service - they can deliver serious value for travelers by making one of the worst parts of their travel experience a whole lot smoother.

Pre-booked private transfers for B2B travel wholesalers: the benefits

1. Higher revenue & commission opportunities

Private transfers are a great way for wholesalers and their customers to increase their earnings. Unlike standard transportation options, private transfers often offer higher proportional margins.

And while transaction values are typically lower versus core verticals, they’re higher volume - normally 2-4 airport transfers per booking, and that’s not even counting for in-destination point-to-point rides.

Plus, there’s an opportunity to upsell premium services, such as executive cars or larger vehicles for groups, where the gains can be even greater.

2. Improved customer satisfaction & retention

Nobody likes landing at an airport after a long flight only to stand in line for a taxi.

And trying to navigate a new destination’s public transportation, or lack of, is a can of worms many travelers would rather avoid - especially in more off-the-beaten-track destinations where transportation infrastructure may be less reliable.

Pre-booked private transfers help the travel agents and OTAs using your services to create complete travel experiences their travelers will keep coming back for.

• Peace of mind – travelers’ can relax knowing their ride is waiting for them when they arrive, with advanced features like real-time driver tracking providing even greater reassurance
• Price transparency – all-in up-front costs mean no surprise peak-time fare hikes; and no helplessly watching the taxi metre tick up while you’re stuck in traffic
• A stress-free start to their trip – airport buffer time and included waiting time, as well as flexible pick-up types, from curbside to Meet & Greet, help create a smooth experience. No negotiating with local vendors, no waiting around - ideal for families and groups, time-pressed business travelers and those visiting a destination for the first time

3. Competitive differentiation

The travel industry has never been more competitive. And wholesalers need to be offering something extra to stand out.

And private transfers help to fill the gap in the traveler experience, and position your business as a full-service travel provider, making your offering more attractive, both to traditional and online travel agencies wanting to offer an end-to-end service, and corporate clients that need better trip visibility, cost control and traveler safety.

Manuel Nu?ez, founder & CEO of all-in-one B2B platform, Servantrip, which saw a 109% increase in transfer bookings in 2024, highlighted how evolving consumer demand is revealing significant opportunities for wholesalers, and their agency and online travel customers:

“As more travelers book airport-to-hotel transfers and experiences in advance, often as part of vacation packages, this trend presents a tremendous opportunity for travel agencies and OTAs."

How Talixo helps travel wholesalers drive revenue

Finding the right partner for pre-booked transfers - and striking the right balance of coverage, quality, servicing and pricing - is crucial.

Talixo makes it easy for wholesalers to integrate private transfers into their services, offering:

• Global coverage: Available in 1,100+ cities and 130+ countries worldwide, bringing longer-tail destinations within the reach of your clients and their travelers’
• Smooth integration: API and agent booking options for easy implementation and cross-channel servicing
• Consistently high quality: Performance issues can put your client relationships at risk. Our tech-driven fleet operations and thorough vetting process ensure we have a firm handle on ride quality at all times
• Set-and-forget support: You need to be able to focus on your core products - our turn-key transfers and 24/7 support free your team up to focus where they're needed most
• Scalability: The ideal partner for every stage of your business's journey

Pre-booked private transfers are no longer just an extra - they’re a must-have for modern travel service providers.

And for wholesalers, they offer a chance to grow earnings, improve customer value and maintain a competitive edge.

We’d love to understand more about how you're handling ground transfers for your travelers and what your future plans are - email our team at [email protected] to request a brief intro call.