Unlocking European Train Travel: New Tool Empowers Travel Advisors to Book Large Groups
More travel advisors can now easily book European train travel for groups, thanks to a new online tool that simplifies the process and opens up opportunities for smaller agencies.
Let’s be honest: Booking train travel in Europe can be a logistical puzzle, especially for large groups. Navigating the complexities of multiple national rail systems, each with its own procedures and fare structures, often leaves advisors feeling overwhelmed.
Luckily, a new tool from Rail Europe promises to bring some much-needed clarity and efficiency to the process. Called RailGroupEasy, this online platform is designed to empower travel professionals to book group rail travel in Europe with greater ease, opening up exciting possibilities for personalized itineraries and seamless experiences for their clients.
RailGroupEasy: Leveling the Playing Field for All Travel Agents Agency Size Doesn t Matter Anymore
In the past, accessing group rail fares and managing larger bookings was primarily the domain of high-volume travel agencies and tour operators. RailGroupEasy changes the game by making this service accessible to a wider range of travel professionals, including smaller independent agencies.
“Most of the requests to open up group bookings have come from the U.S., and to a lesser degree from Australia,” says Valentina Cesani, COO of Rail Europe. “The advantage of RailGroupEasy is that it simplifies the process so that smaller agencies can directly translate client requests into our system, without any middlemen, delayed response times, or the risk of misunderstanding.”
The platform streamlines what was once a cumbersome process, ensuring accuracy and minimizing potentially costly errors. “The more steps involved,” Cesani explains, “The greater the chances something might be misunderstood or lost.”
Heidi Podjavorsek, a sales and marketing vice president at Signature Travel Network, echoes the sentiment. “Advisors generally struggle with rail bookings. That’s why we ask tour operators to offer rail for them, so it’s a more seamless experience,” she says. “Booking it a la carte works for some, but not everyone.”
She adds: “We don’t have any bookers that book thousands of dollars in rail. It’s rather the occasional rail booking.”
RailGroupEasy bridges this gap, enabling advisors from agencies of all sizes to confidently handle group bookings, regardless of their experience with European rail travel.
A Personalized Touch: Building Custom Rail Itineraries
RailGroupEasy is designed for passengers traveling as a group of 25 or more. The platform goes far beyond booking fares, allowing advisors to personalize travel experiences with a range of enticing ancillary services. Clients can enhance their journeys with options like onboard meal service, door-to-door luggage transport, and assistance at major railway stations, ensuring a comfortable and convenient experience from start to finish.
## Training and Support: Empowering Every Step of the Way
Rail Europe understands that not every advisor may be a rail expert.
To ensure successful implementation, they’ve included comprehensive training materials on their agent portal. Plans are also underway to launch a premium support line in 2025, providing dedicated assistance to advisors seeking guidance or troubleshooting assistance.
“We’re trying to ensure that not just the big players, but the medium and small players too, get more support,” Cesani says, emphasizing their commitment to providing a level playing field. “They get to choose what level of support they’re going to get when they book.”
Commission Structure: Flexibility for Agents
While Rail Europe does pay commissions on groups booked by large contract accounts, it’s taking a different approach with RailGroupEasy. The platform provides net rates, enabling agents to package trips and set their own markups, providing maximum flexibility.
RailGroupEasy marks a significant shift in the landscape of European train travel bookings, benefiting both advisors and their clients. The platform simplifies what was once a complex process, opening doors for smaller agencies and allowing advisors to craft personalized itineraries and exceptional experiences, ultimately making European rail travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
How does RailGroupEasy aim to make European train travel more accessible and enjoyable for everyone?
## Interview with Valentina Cesani: Unlocking European Rail Travel for All
**Host:** Welcome to the show, Valentina Cesani, COO of Rail Europe.
**Cesani:** Thank you for having me.
**Host:** Today we’re discussing RailGroupEasy, a new online tool that promises to revolutionize the way travel advisors book European train travel for groups. Can you tell us a bit about the challenges advisors faced before RailGroupEasy and how this tool addresses these issues?
**Cesani:** Absolutely! Bachelor parties, family reunions, company outings – these are just some examples of groups who want to experience Europe by train. However, navigating the complexities of different rail systems, understanding fare structures, and managing large bookings was often a logistical nightmare. It was really only accessible to large agencies or tour operators.
RailGroupEasy simplifies everything. With this online platform, even smaller agencies can directly access group rates and manage bookings seamlessly. It eliminates the need for middlemen, reduces response times, and minimizes the risk of misunderstandings.
**Host:** It sounds like RailGroupEasy really levels the playing field.
**Cesani:** That’s exactly our goal. We want to empower all travel advisors, regardless of their size, to confidently handle group bookings and offer their clients personalized itineraries across Europe’s extensive rail network.
**Host:** So, this is a real game-changer for smaller agencies, those who may not have specialized in complex group bookings before?
**Cesani:** Precisely. We’ve already seen strong interest, particularly from the U.S. and Australia.
**Host:** What are some of the key features that make RailGroupEasy stand out?
**Cesani:**
It’s all about ease of use and accuracy. The platform is designed to be intuitive and streamline the booking process. It helps advisors avoid costly errors and ensures that every detail is handled correctly.
**Host:** Customer travel experiences are always evolving. Where do you see RailGroupEasy’s role in shaping the future of European rail travel?
**Cesani: ** I truly believe RailGroupEasy will make European train travel more accessible and enjoyable for all. By empowering advisors with the right tools and resources, we are opening up a world of possibilities and inspiring more people to experience the magic of traveling by train across Europe.
**Host:** Valentina Cesani, thank you so much for joining us today.
**Cesani:** It was my pleasure.
[[1](https://www.travelpulse.com/news/car-rail/rail-europe-launches-railgroupeasy-to-transform-group-train-travel-booking)]
