In this episode of the Best Part of Travel podcast, hosted by Janelle Visser and Stephen Joyce, we discuss the evolution of online booking systems, or "restech platforms" in the tours, activities and attractions sector of travel, and listen in on a conversation between Andrea Carini, CEO of FareHarbor, the largest restech in the travel experiences space, and Arival CEO Douglas Quinby, which took place at the recent Arival 360 conference in Valencia, Spain.
Topics of discussion include:
- Booking system pricing models, from monthly recurring fees to transaction-based fees.
- The growth of the online travel agency (OTA) market and how this impacts the pricing models and viability of restech platforms, in particular FareHarbor.
- FareHarbor's recent addition of a 2% fee for API/OTA bookings.
- The potential applications of AI in current booking systems, and potential for developing future booking system technology using AI.
- The future of the booking tech and how restech providers and tour and activity operators are adapting to the evolving landscape.
Some resources that we mention:
- Arival Guide: How to Choose a Booking System
- Arival Guide to Booking System Pricing
- Peek "CoPilot" Connects Operators with AI Tools
The Best Part of Travel podcast is brought to you by Arival. Season Two is sponsored by Protect Group.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.