The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation has had a significant impact on many industries, including software development. As a game-changing technology, AI has the potential to streamline workflows, increase productivity and improve the overall quality and security of software.

The following article presents the benefits and real-world effects of implementing automation and providers in the Getaway travel planning platform.

Problems and challenges before implementing the automation of hotel and accommodation database downloads ​

In order to offer its users a better product than classic accommodation or flight booking systems, Getaway had to integrate and standardise several solutions present on the market. Users expect a fast and, above all, the best and error-free response to their requests. The Getaway project aims to eliminate the need to browse several websites or booking systems at the same time.

The client's biggest problem was to download as large a database of hotels as possible, synchronise it with the system and index it. In addition, Getaway wanted to be able to search the available listings according to their own queries, requirements and filters. The answer to these needs is to automate the download of the hotel and accommodation database.

What benefits does the automation of hotel and accommodation database downloads provide? ​

Automation makes it possible to detect potential problems and recommend better alternatives at the stage of searching for offers and responding to user queries. It also optimises the time spent on cyclical activities such as updating offers available on the market or implementing new search criteria.

The automation of the download of the hotel and accommodation database leads to the elimination of the need for manual preparation of Excel sheets. In addition, it enables the manual entry of new listings into the system via the CMS to be reduced to a minimum.

What solution did we bring to the Getaway project? ​

Of the available solutions on the market, we decided to introduce the Ratehawk provider. After establishing a partnership, we received its database via API in the format of a compressed .zstd file.

Challenges of automating the downloading of the hotel and accommodation database ​

Enabling automation with the Ratehawk provider required uncompressing and reparsing the available database. The next challenge was to index and implement the database into the Getaway system as quickly as possible.

The next step, which was necessary to implement the automation, turned out to be to standardise the display of results in terms of UX/UI. Therefore, we developed our own interfaces for the database created on the basis of Ratehawk data, which enabled the system to be developed significantly.

The implementation of the automation of the hotel database download and the adaptation of the interfaces allowed hotels within X km radius to be searched in specific coordinates and hotels to be searched based on the requirements entered by the client. Among the criteria included were:

• facilities
• rooms
• metric
• bathroom
• date of planned departure
• additional configurations of the results obtained.

Effect and return on investment ​

The introduction of automation of the hotel and accommodation database through the Ratehawk provider has made it possible to maximise the number of conversions on the Getaway platform. The expansion of the available database and the adaptation of the interface allowed for an increase in enquiries of around 300% compared to the status quo.

Most users appreciate the potential for faster searches of available offers in one place, increased efficiency and enhanced security. These have resulted in benefits for Getaway in three key areas:

• reducing the time it takes to implement new offers into the system,
• reducing operating costs,
• increasing opportunities for end users.

Prospects for the future and preparing for change ​

More and more solutions are emerging on the market to optimise the performance of tools such as travel planning platforms. As technology advances, we should keep abreast of emerging trends and solutions and prepare to implement improvements.

Conclusions ​

Automation is essential for platforms such as comparison sites and booking systems. If system owners decide not to implement the latest solutions, the competition will overtake them and potential customers. With the right integrations with providers, you can:

• reduce the time spent on implementation of the offer database and daily updates,
• minimise the operational and actual maintenance costs of the platform,
• maximise conversions in the platform.

How do you convince your team to introduce providers?

• Find out how we did it
• Download the finished Pitch-Deck at the end of the article
• Presentation for the team

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