In great news for travel advisors, you can now book Eurostar and high-speed European TGV and Thalys services via Australian OTA Rail Online direct with live inventory and convenient pricing in Australian dollars.
As part of an agreement with France’s national state-owned railway company SNCF, Rail Online now offers live inventory in Australian dollars for all point-to-point services on Eurostar, French high-speed TGV and high-speed French–Belgian joint venture Thalys.
Rail Online General Manager Australia & New Zealand Kirsty Blows said Aussie travel advisors have been eager for the three rail services to be added, which will further fast-track B2B traffic for the international rail booking platform.
“Since our launch earlier this year, travel agents have repeatedly identified Eurostar and French high-speed services as the missing link in our global inventory,” Ms Blows said.
“When combined with our European rail passes, UK point-to-point tickets and comprehensive North American inventory, we now offer unrivalled choice.
“And with all prices displayed in Australian dollars and agents free to self-manage itinerary changes or refunds, we also offer unprecedented flexibility and convenience.”
She said the addition of Eurostar is perfectly timed as Australian travel to Europe is set to increase significantly in 2023 as air capacity is restored. Train travel is also trending as airfare prices soar.
“Eurostar is a key element of many Australians’ trips to Europe and we are seeing enormous demand for the service, not just London-Paris but also the London-Rotterdam-Amsterdam route, which now operates four times a day,” Ms Blows said.
Sustainable travel trends
Ms Blows added that Australian travellers’ and European governments’ focus on sustainable travel is also driving the growth of high-speed rail networks across the continent.
“The environmental benefits of rail travel are clear with a single Eurostar journey emitting up to 93 per cent less CO2 than a plane trip,” Ms Blows said.
“In April this year – as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions by 40 per cent by 2030 – France banned domestic flights on routes that could be travelled via train in under two-and-a-half hours. Other European countries are likely to follow suit.”
Rail Online recently added Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada to its growing roster of international rail operators as part of its expansion plans for North America, Europe and Australasia.
For more info, head to rail.online
