OTAs see 85 percent leap in ancillary revenue
Amadeus saw a 85% jump in ancillary revenue through online travel agencies during the first three quarters of 2015.
It says OTAs are now a major channel in the merchandising market with up to 40% of all OTA bookings including ancillary products for some airlines.
The exponential growth of ancillary fees through OTA channels is a result of customer demand and the availability of ancillary content in the GDS, said Pedro Espin, associate director for merchandising and personalisation at Amadeus.
"Online travel agencies constantly need to improve their user experience to stay competitive. If I want to book a window seat or bring one extra bag, and an OTA does not give me that option, I can find another travel vendor in just a few clicks," Espin said.
Amadeus said there are currently 60 airlines selling ancillaries and Fare Families (groups of fares with the same characteristics) through the system, with an additional 40 signed and going through the integration process.
"The selling of merchandising is the first step that OTAs are taking in offering travellers great personalisation in their air bookings. This trend will benefit everyone – travellers, OTAs and airlines," Espin added.
Amadeus said that by the end of the year, the number of OTAs with integrated ancillaries is set to almost triple compared to a year ago.
OTAs selling ancillaries or fare families include Expedia, eDreams, Logitravel and Tripsta.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025