Booking train travel for large groups in Europe just became easier for travel advisors, thanks to a new tool introduced by Rail Europe. The company’s innovative platform, RailGroupEasy, is designed to open up group bookings for small and mid-sized travel agencies, leveling the playing field previously dominated by high-volume users like large tour operators.
Traditionally, group bookings for European rail travel were accessible primarily to well-established players in the travel industry, such as Collette, Gate 1, and EF World Journeys. However, with the launch of RailGroupEasy, travel advisors from smaller agencies can now directly manage group bookings without the need for intermediaries, helping to streamline the process and reduce the risk of errors.
Valentina Cesani, Chief Operating Officer at Rail Europe, explained that there has been a growing demand for this feature, particularly from travel advisors in the U.S. and Australia. Many smaller agencies struggled with delays and misunderstandings when trying to book group rail travel, as they often had to go through middlemen or deal with complicated processes that slowed down their ability to meet client demands.
RailGroupEasy aims to resolve these pain points by offering a straightforward platform where advisors can directly input client requests, ensuring that the details are accurately processed. According to Cesani, “The more steps in the process, the higher the chances of something getting misunderstood or delayed.” The new tool eliminates these hurdles, offering a more efficient way for advisors to deliver the best service to their clients.
For many travel advisors, booking European rail travel whether for small or large groups has been a challenging task. Heidi Podjavorsek, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Signature Travel Network, shared that booking rail travel can be especially complex due to the decentralized nature of Europe’s rail systems. With 44 countries, each with its own national rail system and unique booking procedures, coordinating a seamless rail experience for clients can be daunting.
As a result, many travel advisors have relied on tour operators to handle rail bookings, as it ensures a smoother experience. While booking rail travel à la carte is possible for some, it is not always the most efficient or effective solution for everyone. Podjavorsek noted, “Advisors generally struggle with rail bookings. That’s why we ask tour operators to offer rail for them, so that it’s a more seamless experience.”
RailGroupEasy is specifically designed to accommodate group bookings of 25 passengers or more. Beyond booking train fares, the platform also allows travel advisors to add ancillary services, such as meal options, luggage transport, and station assistance. This flexibility helps agencies provide a more personalized and complete service to their clients, ensuring that their travel experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
To help advisors make the most of the new tool, Rail Europe has developed a series of training materials available on its agent portal. Additionally, the company plans to launch a premium support line in 2025 to offer more tailored assistance for agencies. Cesani emphasized that Rail Europe is committed to supporting all types of travel advisors, not just the big players. “We’re trying to ensure that not just the big players but the medium and small players get more support,” she said.
Although Rail Europe has traditionally paid commissions on group bookings made through large accounts, Cesani clarified that RailGroupEasy operates on a net-rate model, allowing agents the freedom to package and mark up bookings as they see fit. While group bookings can still be time-consuming and complex, this new tool aims to reduce the friction that has historically made rail travel a difficult aspect of the travel industry.
Cesani admitted that group bookings in rail travel are no easy feat, acknowledging that “group reservations take a lot of effort and time, and the logistics are quite complicated.” Nevertheless, the decision to reopen group bookings to a wider market, especially after the pandemic, has been a timely one, making rail travel more accessible to a broader range of travel agencies and their clients.
RailGroupEasy represents a major step forward in simplifying the booking process for European rail travel, empowering smaller agencies to cater to their clients’ group travel needs with greater ease and efficiency. Whether booking a simple one-way trip or a multi-country rail journey, this tool promises to make group bookings easier than ever before.
