Local agency or French contract, what's the difference for travelers?

For the past decade, the internet has facilitated the emergence of online travel agencies, which allow travelers to access more personalized travel offers, and at a better price than if they chose to use a traditional physical agency. In the context of this development of the OTA (Online Travel Agency) model, it's not only classic travel agencies that have appeared online, but also new economic models, a kind of new generation travel agencies.

An example of a new business model made possible by the Internet is the linking with a destination management company, either directly or through a specialized portal. This allows for a more reasonable price than going through a traditional agency based in France, and to have access to the exact same service, which means more or less customized packages usually distributed "in B2B". It means that usually these trips are simply purchased by travel agencies in France from the local actors that are the destination management companies, and then sold as is, with the plane ticket included.

This model has allowed a broader population than before to access higher quality trips, with a decent level of customization. Even though this customization remains limited because communication with local handlers, for various reasons, remains complex to manage. Moreover, generally, these local agencies do not consider having to deal with clients directly before their arrival on-site.

With Vialala, a new model emerges that completely reshuffles the deck. Travelers are connected with a "travel planner," a creator or organizer of travel, who is first and foremost a person. This person could very well be a local provider, but that is just one possibility; they might be a tour guide, accommodation host, guesthouse manager, blogger, or travel coach, "digital nomad," or simply an "expat." He or she knows the region well, and might also be an expert in a type of activity sought by the traveler.

The role of Vialala is to facilitate discussions between travelers and travel creators, so that travelers have access, at the same price as if they were making all the bookings themselves, to a set of services selected for them, ultimately creating a 100% tailor-made trip that is much cheaper than if they went through a traditional travel agency.

The advantage, apart from the price, is that the free travel creation application Vialala takes care of the travel contract and fully assumes responsibility for the booked services towards the client, by guaranteeing the stay and offering related travel insurance. Thus, travelers have access to a truly personalized experience, with "vouchers" for each service, all at a lower cost. And they benefit from a French law contract that covers them for all services, something that would be impossible with a local agency, which by definition is subject to local law. And such an agency would not provide international flights, as it is only a "local" provider. Who would want to sign with "Mexico Adventures," when it is possible to access the same services at the best price, but with a French law contract and all the guarantees that come with it?