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Mobile App Development for Travel Portal: Costs & Features

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Developing travel apps is a one-stop agency solution that enables prospective travelers to schedule various activities through a pocket-sized device. There are many types of mobile travel apps out there, most of which actively help us on our journeys, whether it is known or not.

Desirable features of custom mobile app development for travel portal

Now that travel agencies spend money on creating travel apps, and it is essential to know what features should be included in it for optimum returns to be generated. Below is a list of features  the travel agency mobile app should ideally possess:

  • Creation of a travel booking app

Online reservations have significantly increased. Unless the mobile app for travel agency does not allow online booking of flights and hotels, it does not serve the users' purpose. The creation of a travel booking app is therefore essential. The goal of the travel agency behind the development of a mobile app is to provide travelers with 'A to Z' details and facilitate them with all travel plans options. If your app has built-in features that allow users to make hotel accommodation reservations and book flight tickets, potential customers and users will not be diverted to other online booking applications.

  • Automatic travel itinerary generator

According to the latest study from the world's leading travel firms, it is observed that people prefer to schedule their trips individually over ready-made itineraries that travel agencies give. Following this trend, travel agencies are now coming up with a common requirement to provide users an automatic itinerary generator' as a travel mobile app feature. Based on the details of the 'location' entered by the user, itinerary generator prepares travel schedule for the desired number of days, including details of the sightseeing places to visit and activities to be done.

  • In-built currency converter and translator 

The development strategy for travel apps will include 'currency converter' and 'language translator' features. From the user's point of view, these features are essential when they go on international trips. For instance, when the traveler is out shopping, he can immediately use the currency converter to know the exact cost of the item and make the buying decision.


Likewise, language translators are of great importance in foreign trips to learn and communicate with local people. Once travel companies integrate this user-oriented functionality into the app, travel mobile device usability increases significantly.

  • The weather forecast, navigation, and offline site map

Knowledge of climatic conditions at the destination is of paramount importance for travelers. Mobile travel agency app should give users enough information on a particular place's daytime and night temperature. Users prefer the travel app that allows them to enter custom dates for getting weather information, as it will enable them to plan future trips.

If your travel mobile device creation plan includes offline maps and navigation capabilities, travelers do not need to download and use the same third-party software. Just enter your 'map' location and use the navigation to reach your destination in the shortest time possible. Offline map and navigation features have significance, particularly in mobile travel apps, considering weak cellular networks and remote internet connections.

  • Integration of payment gateway in the creation of the travel app

A safe payment portal should be built into the mobile app for a travel agency to make it easy for travelers to pay for flight booking or hotel accommodation when such features are incorporated into the mobile travel app, searching for tickets or hotel rooms, finding the best deal, and making reservations extremely convenient for a user.

  • Reviews, suggestions, and feedback

Analysis of past travelers matters a lot in the case of the travel industry. This is also likely that the user wants to visit a location he/she has never previously experienced. Consequently, users typically tend to read web reviews and nearby hotels to base their decision.

Mobile travel agency app will feature a decent number of favorable user-referenced reviews. The creation of the travel app should be such that users can post comments and share experiences to make the app more private.

  • Support for social media sharing

None is unaware of the power of social media. Digital-age people are more inclined to share their traveling experiences with the social circle. This is more important as a travel agency mobile app provides integration with social media profiles for customers. App users sometimes become your travel agency's brand ambassador, what could be better than this?

  • Customer service via the mobile app

Travel agency's Mobile App can provide an opportunity to talk with agents. In organizations that do not have enough support staff members, AI-driven chatbots can be introduced that give device users 24/7 assistance. When users have the option of discussing their query with travel agency anytime and anywhere, they feel connected to the brand, which increases their chances of using it again to make reservations.

Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the travel and tourism industry

COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the travel and tourism sector. Several countries will react differently in responding to the pandemic. The use of technological solutions helps ensure public safety during travel allowing the travel industry and the hospitality industry to thrive in tough times. Here are a few developments in the travel and tourism industry that will expand because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Digital wallets identification

In the COVID-19 pandemic scenario, a traveler could access, obtain, and store confidential health credentials such as health status in digital identity wallets using digital identity wallets. The information can be combined with trusted public or private identity data.

  • Rise of touchless travel

COVID-19 put the travel industry at a standstill. One of the most noticeable improvements would be a transition to touchless travel straight from the airport to check-in. There is a significant risk for passengers and employees of travel/airline firms, taking into account the risks involved during travel check-in, security, and boarding.

When biometrics such as fingerprints or hand scanners are phased out, the increase in automation across the whole industry will become the new reality. In addition, touchless data entry technology, such as mobile IoT-based apps, and voice commands, would be introduced to reduce possible risks. Automation will become the new norm across the entire sector.

  • Digitalization rise

Several companies are adopting friction-free interaction development solutions. Those measures will assist companies in meeting changing customer demand and regaining trust. These also allow organizations to seamlessly link multiple data points to analyze risk profiles, allowing efficient real-time risk management. 


Travelers will maintain their profile, collect digital data gathered 'verification' and determine which information to share. Extensive use of Real-time Information Analytics will help travel companies gain real-time, geographically focused, actionable insights on bookings, and cancellations. 

How much does the creation of a travel booking app cost?

The cost of travel website app development services depends entirely on complexity, number of features, functionalities, technology, and platform. A rough estimate cannot be provided without knowing about functionalities, targeted platforms, and emerging technologies. In reality, developing mobile apps for travel agencies needs significant investment; however, this investment's positive outcomes make app creation a sensible option.

Quick summary

If you are looking to create your mobile travel app for personal or monetary purposes, you will find all you need to get started and develop a tremendous mobile travel app. We shall look on the following issues;

Desirable features of Custom Mobile app development for Travel Portal. The features include creating a travel booking app, an automatic travel Itinerary generator, In-built Currency Converter and Translator, Weather forecast, Navigation, and Offline Site Map, and Integration of payment gateway in the creation of the Travel App and many more features

We shall also look at the effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Travel and Tourism Industry

Finally, we shall find out how much does the creation of a Travel Booking App cost


About the Author

Software developer and solution provider with over 7 years of experience, including general management of mid to large size organizations, corporate development, product development, business operations, and strategies. Currently managers at EPixelSoft- A Software Development Company- A one-stop-sho...   View more...