European OTA Logitravel Group has identified smart and connected TVs as a sales channel and as potential customer acquisition and retention tool.
A Logitravel TV app has been developed by London-based TV App Agency.
Smart TV app stores work in the same way as smartphone stores. And in the same way as there are app stores for IoS, Andriod and Windows, different TV manufacturers have different platforms which each require a dedicated app.
The TV App Agency has made life simple for Logitravel by using its proprietary TV App Engine which "is a unique cross platform app compiler [which] generates fully customised, native applications for over 100 supported platforms."
As a result, Logitravel's app will be available on TVs produced by traditional manufacturers Samsung, Philips, Panasonic and LG, among others. But it is also available on EE TV from the UK's largest mobile phone operator as well as Google's Android TV, and Amazon's Fire TV.
The TV app is synched with the web site so that any relevant offers and deals posted online will also be available via the TV. In the UK, the app will only promote cruises whereas in Spain it can promote tours.
It is also an international deal and will be available in all the countries where Logitravel has a web presence - Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Finland, Brazil and Mexico.
Miguel Abril, head of mobile at Logitravel, sees this app as a way of raising the profile of the brand. "Technology is constantly evolving and offering new platforms where we can introduce our presence and build a point of contact with new and existing clients," he said.
Another point of note is that the TV app is not transactional. Anyone seeing a cruise they like the look of can request a call from the Logitravel call centre and take the booking from there.
Abril added: “At Logitravel, we believe that we have to be on every platform that our customers are. At first we had the web, then came the smartphone and now there is Smart TVs."
See also:
Logitravel turns over half a billion euros, carries 2.5m pax (Feb 2015)