FNB will make it even easier
for consumers to book
travel using eBucks when it
makes this service available
through its mobile app. The
bank unveiled the plan to
the media on May 16.
At the moment, FNB
customers can book travel
using eBucks, their bank
card or a combination of
both. This can be done on
the eBucks website and
online banking. FNB says
the functionality will be
coming to the app soon.
Last month, agents cited
the discounts offered to
private banking clients as
one of the biggest threats
to travel agents, quickly
overtaking the Internet.
Asata ceo, Otto de Vries,
points out that where banks
have a loyalty offering for
their clients that includes
discounted travel, the
fulfilment is outsourced
to an agent or TMC. “The
skillset and the complexity
of the industry is of such
a nature that they still
need to bring in travel
professionals to provide the
fulfilment.”
Otto says this underscores
the value agents offer and
presents an opportunity
for agents who can secure
these contracts.
But this doesn’t mean
other agents shouldn’t take
a shot at earning revenue
from these offerings too.
Otto suggests that agents
should offer to fulfil their
clients’ bookings on loyalty
programmes. Agents should
also establish themselves
as specialists, either on
particular destinations or
types of travel. “You have
to drive value in order to
ensure your sustainability in
the future.”
