How to Build a Successful Travel Business App?

When a traveler plans a trip to their dream destinations, they scan the internet beyond the curve and make it worthwhile. This has forced many travel and hospitality businesses like Expedia, Booking.com and Trivago to invest in travel app development, facilitate digital bookings and create a solution that caters to the specific needs of travellers. According to a Statista report, Booking.com has registered 80 million app downloads, while Airbnb has 52 million app downloads in the list of most downloaded travel apps worldwide. This study clearly illustrates how travel apps can be a worthwhile investment for online travel agencies and startups looking to enter the tourism industry.

This comprehensive guide details about travel app development, its benefits, development steps, essential features and finally the cost.

Core features of a travel app
A well-rounded travel app should offer various features to meet travelers’ needs and provide benefits to vendors seeking to attract and retain customers.

Here are some standard travel app features:

Registration and profile
This feature enables users to create personalized accounts, indicate and store preferences, track bookings, and receive tailored travel recommendations. From the business standpoint, the profile creation feature allows the collection of valuable user data, enabling personalized marketing and service recommendations.

Search and filters
A travel app must enable users to find the perfect travel options by specifying destinations, dates, and preferences. Filters refine results, saving users time and ensuring they discover the most relevant choices. Also, by collecting search data, an app owner can better understand user preferences and tailor the offerings.

Listings
A listing is a common form of returning search results. It must offer comprehensive details about accommodations, flights, or activities, aiding in informed booking decisions. For better business benefits, ensure that the listing feature in your travel app allows for enticing descriptions and images to encourage vendors to compete.

Messaging
A messaging option is necessary to facilitate direct communication between users and travel services or hosts. It enables users to clarify doubts or request personalized assistance, enhancing their overall experience. Vendors can use messaging to improve customer trust by offering exceptional customer service.

Booking
Booking functionality simplifies the reservation process, allowing users to secure travel arrangements conveniently. Making it easy to book a service from a travel app increases the number of bookings and revenue for providers listed on the app, resulting in higher profits for the app owner.

Reviews
Reviews empower users to share their travel experiences, assisting others in making informed choices. Ratings and detailed feedback build trust and confidence in bookings. It also helps vendors improve services and address concerns, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

Notifications
Notifications keep users informed about critical updates related to their travel plans, ensuring they stay organized and up-to-date while traveling. They can also be used to promote special offers and upsell opportunities.

Payment
In-app payment offers users a secure and convenient way to finalize their bookings and manage travel-related expenses. This facilitates completed transactions, reduces booking abandonment rates, and improves revenue.

Cost of travel app development
We have a comprehensive guide that answers how much it costs to build a mobile app. In short, the price can vary significantly based on various factors. Here are the main factors that affect the cost:

Geographical location
The location of your development team or agency can significantly affect costs due to fluctuating labor rates around the world. For example, according to Fact, the average base salary for a software engineer in the USA is about $116,000 per year. In contrast, French software developers earn an average of $46,000 per year, according to data from Payscale. Meanwhile, the average IT engineer’s annual salary in Eastern Europe is around $30,000, making it the most affordable place to outsource your project.

While choosing travel app developers, it is essential to consider the cost and the expertise and experience of the team in creating solutions that are just right for your travel app. Request quotes from several development companies in different regions and assess their capabilities to ensure they can effectively meet your project needs.

Read: How Artificial Intelligence is Reforming The Travel Industry?

Platform (iOS, Android, Web)
Developing for multiple platforms increases costs. Native travel application development for iOS and Android separately is usually more expensive than creating a cross-platform app that works on both. Adding a web version may also affect costs.

App complexity
The number and nature of features, functionalities and integrations directly affect app development costs. More complex apps with advanced features require more development time and resources. Integrating with external services such as payment gateways, mapping APIs or social media platforms incurs additional licensing costs.

Project Timeline
One might think that a shorter timeline would lead to lower costs. However, rapid development projects often have high costs due to overtime pay and a high probability of errors. A reasonable timeline helps manage costs.

Application design and user experience
Complex designs, animations and user interactions require more design and development effort.

Data security and compliance
If your app handles sensitive user data, you may need to invest in stronger security measures and compliance with data protection regulations, which can add development costs.

Marketing and Promotion
Although not part of development, marketing and promotion are critical to the success of an app. Budgeting for marketing activities is essential to ensure that your app reaches its target audience.