Avanti Launches Mobile Documents App for Advisors, Clients

Custom tour operator Avanti Destinations has launched a mobile documents app that makes all travel documents available to both advisors and their clients via phone or tablet. It also provides easy access to local service suppliers and Avanti via a hyperlink VoIP connection – rather than having to place an international call.

Travel advisors can view an online demo of the app.

“Eight months in development, the new app has been tested by advisors on our educational fam trips earlier this year and enthusiastically received,” said Nate Guilfoyle, director of web services at Avanti. “We also tested it with nearly 100 clients of advisors.”

According to Guilfoyle, the app is a companion to Avanti’s paper and electronic documents and is not meant to replace them.

“During our soft launch, we had multi-generational families traveling together. While the parents preferred the paper documents, their adult children engaged with our itinerary using the mobile docs apps. Even though the new app frees you from carrying paper, we always recommend having printed documents for backup,” he said.

“One of the most useful aspects of the Mobile Documents app is the ability to quickly contact local service providers, such as transfer or tour companies, in case of a delay or other disruption. Previously, we provided instructions on making an international call, but now clients will see a phone icon on each service which allows them to immediately contact the supplier. Built into the system are supplier profiles with their hours of operation. If it is after hours for the local provider, the call will automatically be routed to Avanti’s in-travel team,” he added.

One month prior to departure, Avanti’s documents team sends all documents to advisors and an invitation to the app. It takes a few seconds to download all travel documents, including advisor co-branding, such as train tickets, vouchers, and QR codes to the app. After the initial download, documents are available whether or not the user has access to data.