DEV Community: Neha Jangid

How to Incorporate Google Flight Search for Accurate Pricing and Scheduling Data

Neha Jangid — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 10:07:56 +0000

In the ever-evolving landscape of the travel industry, accurate flight pricing and scheduling data are invaluable for travel agencies, airlines, and travelers alike. For years, developers relied on various APIs to access this information, with the Google Flight API being a prominent choice. However, there's been a significant change in this domain. Google has discontinued its Flight API, leaving developers searching for alternatives to obtain reliable data.

In this article, we will explore how developers can still harness the power of Google Flight Search for accurate flight pricing and scheduling data, despite the API's discontinuation.

The Reason for Discontinuation of Google Flight API

Google's decision to discontinue its Flight API was a significant shift in the industry. The API was a go-to source for developers seeking real-time flight data, including pricing, availability, and scheduling information. Unfortunately, Google decided to retire this service, leaving developers in search of alternative solutions. To know in-depth why Google discontinued its flight API, click here.

The discontinuation of the Google Flight API might have posed challenges initially, but it also opened doors to explore other methods of accessing similar data. While Google doesn't directly offer a dedicated Flight API for developers, there are still ways to leverage this tool effectively.

Using Google Flight Search for Developers

Developers can incorporate Google Flight Search into their applications and websites with a few creative techniques. Here's how:

1. Web Scraping:

Web scraping involves programmatically extracting information from websites. While it may not be the most elegant solution, it can be effective for obtaining data from Google Flight Search. Developers can build web scrapers that navigate the Google Flight Search interface, inputting parameters such as departure and arrival locations, dates, and preferences, and then extracting the displayed flight options, prices, and schedules. However, it's essential to be mindful of Google's terms of service when scraping data from their site.

2. Screen Scraping APIs:

Another approach is to use screen scraping APIs or services that specialize in extracting data from web pages. These services often provide APIs that allow developers to send requests with specific parameters, and in return, they receive structured data from the target website, which, in this case, would be Google Flight Search. This method can offer more reliability and convenience compared to traditional web scraping.

3. Alternative Flight APIs:

While not a direct replacement for the Google Flight API, several alternative flight data APIs are available in the market. Developers can explore options such as Skyscanner, Kiwi, or Amadeus for access to comprehensive flight pricing and scheduling data. These APIs provide reliable sources of information that can be integrated into applications and websites seamlessly.

4. Travel Data Providers:

Consider partnering with travel data providers who offer APIs specifically tailored for developers in the travel industry. These providers often aggregate data from multiple sources, including airlines and travel agencies, to offer comprehensive flight information. Examples of such providers include Sabre, Travelport, and Expedia.

Benefits of Incorporating Google Flight Search

Despite the discontinuation of the Google Flight API, incorporating Google Flight Search into your development projects can still offer various benefits:

User-Friendly Interface: Google Flight Search provides a user-friendly interface, making it a popular choice among travelers. By integrating this tool into your applications or websites, you can offer a familiar and intuitive experience to users.

Accurate Data:

Google Flight Search relies on up-to-date data, ensuring that users receive accurate pricing and scheduling information. This accuracy can enhance the trustworthiness of your platform.

No API Costs:

Unlike paid APIs, Google Flight Search is available to developers at no direct cost. This can be particularly advantageous for startups and smaller projects with budget constraints.

Global Coverage:

Google Flight Search offers global coverage, allowing users to search for flights to virtually any destination. This extensive reach can attract a broader user base to your platform.

In conclusion:

While the discontinuation of the Google Flight API presented challenges to developers, the use of Google Flight Search, combined with alternative data sources and web scraping techniques, can still provide access to accurate flight pricing and scheduling data. By creatively incorporating these methods, developers can continue to offer valuable travel services to users and enhance their applications and websites in the competitive travel industry. As technological trends in the airline industry continue to evolve, staying adaptable and resourceful is key to success.

10 Giant Players in Travel Technology To Watch Out in 2023

Neha Jangid — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:52:41 +0000

The travel industry has been undergoing rapid changes, especially in terms of technology. With the increasing reliance on technology to enhance the customer experience, various players in travel technology are emerging as leaders in this sector. This article will walk you through the 10 giant players in travel technology to keep an eye on in 2023.

Top 10 Key Players in Travel Technology

1. Amadeus

Amadeus, often referred to as the king of travel tech, has been at the forefront of the travel industry for years. They provide solutions for reservations, inventory management systems, and more for various travel agencies and airlines. Their advanced software solutions help streamline operations and enhance the overall customer experience. If you're exploring affordable & realiable options, you can check out Amadeus alternatives.

2. Expedia Group

As one of the world's largest online travel companies, Expedia Group plays a crucial role in the travel technology industry. It owns and operates several international global online travel brands, primarily travel fare aggregator websites and travel metasearch engines. With its extensive portfolio, it plays a significant role in shaping the travel tech industry.

3. Booking Holdings

Booking Holdings is another leader when it comes to travel technology. It is the world's leading provider of online travel and related services, offering everything from hotel and flight bookings to car rentals and restaurant reservations. It owns major travel brands such as Booking.com, Priceline, and Kayak, making it a significant player in travel technology.

4. Airbnb

Airbnb has revolutionized the hospitality industry by connecting travelers with locals offering their homes as accommodations. Through its innovative platform, it allows individuals to book unique homes and experiences around the world, marking itself as a huge player in travel technology.

5. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor is another dominant name in the travel technology industry. It is known for its user-generated content providing reviews and recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and attractions around the world. This platform helps travelers make informed decisions based on the experiences of others.

6. Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a leading global travel search site, a place where people are inspired to plan and book direct from millions of travel options at the best prices. It has made a name for itself by helping users find the cheapest flights, hotels, and car rentals.

7. Sabre

Sabre is a global technology company that provides software solutions to travel agencies, corporations, travelers, airlines, and other travel service providers. Their technology plays a crucial role in travel planning, booking, and management.

8. Ctrip (Trip.com Group)

Ctrip, now known as Trip.com Group, is one of the largest online travel agencies in the world. It offers services like hotel reservations, airline tickets, packaged tours, and more. It is a giant in the travel technology industry, especially in China and the Asian market.

9. Travelport

Travelport is a global distribution system (GDS) giant. It provides distribution, technology, payment, and other solutions for the global travel and tourism industry. It connects travel providers, such as airlines and hotel chains, with online and offline travel agencies.

10. Google Travel

Last but not least, Google Travel cannot be ignored as a prominent player in travel technology. With its powerful search engine, Google offers a range of travel services, including flight and hotel bookings, travel planning, and more. Its integration with other Google services, like Google Maps and Google Reviews, provides travelers with a comprehensive platform for all their travel needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the travel technology industry is vast and constantly evolving. Players like Amadeus, Expedia Group, and Booking Holdings have been leading the charge, but newer entrants like Airbnb and established technology companies like Google are also making a significant impact.

Keep a close watch on these ten giants as they continue to innovate and shape the future of travel technology in 2023 and beyond. With their cutting-edge solutions and services, traveling is becoming more seamless, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone around the globe.

A Detailed Guide to Travel API in 2023: 4 Use Cases

Neha Jangid — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:10:32 +0000

The travel and tourism industry is on an upward trajectory, with projections pointing toward revenue of almost $1 trillion by 2026. (source)

With a CAGR of over 8%, this sector clearly shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.

Therefore, to ride this wave of growth, travel enterprises must be at the forefront of technological adoption.

Sure, technologies like RPA are doing wonders in the hospitality segment. But there's another tech wonder that's poised to revolutionize the travel experience - the Travel API.

So, let's dive in understanding more about it.

What is Travel API?

In its essence, a Travel API acts as the digital bridge connecting developers with a plethora of global data spanning hotels, airlines, and events. Imagine a vast sea of data hosted on servers.

These servers contains valuable data from airlines, hotels, and a myriad of other sources, can be tapped into using these APIs.

It's like sending out a digital fisherman who throws out his line (a request) into the sea and reels in the catch (data).

More precisely, let's say you're booking a hotel room online. Your browser sends a request through the hotel API.

This request then interacts with the webserver and database, retrieving information such as room availability, pricing, etc., before presenting it to you. For a more visual representation, OneClick IT Consultancy offers a detailed figure on how hotel APIs function.

Who's Getting the Best out of Travel APIs?

For the Customers:

Ever wondered how travel sites manage to show you the latest prices or availability statuses in real time?

You guessed it right!

Travel APIs are behind this digital magic. They allow users to easily compare options based on up-to-date data, ensuring that what you see is what you get.

For the Companies:

Whether it's airlines, hotels, or car rental enterprises, APIs are proving to be a game-changer. Here's why:

Unraveling the Goldmine of Customer Knowledge:

As customers interact with platforms, they leave behind a trail of data.

APIs can harness this data by giving businesses keen insights into customer behavior.

This can lead to tailored offerings to entice cross-sell opportunities and a boost in customer loyalty.

But a word of caution here: it's paramount to ensure that these APIs are working flawlessly. Think of it as a chain - one weak link and the whole system can falter. But fret not! Tools like PULSE by Testifi are here to the rescue.

Leveraged by giants like Amazon and BMW, it ensures that your API tests are smooth and cost-effective.

Skyrocketing the Exposure:

The digital realm is vast. APIs enable travel businesses to project their offerings across diverse channels. Be it Google ads, reservation portals, or global distribution systems, the world is your oyster!

Now, let's dive into those coveted top 4 use cases of Travel API in 2023.

4 Use Cases Of Travel API in 2023

1. Hotels:

Ever dive into the world of Hotel APIs? Let me give you a quick tour:

Hotel Price API: Hunting for room deals? This hotel API is your ticket. It scouts out the top rates, making sure you're in the know.

Hotel Review API: Curious about guest experiences? This gem sifts through the chatter and serves up genuine guest feedback.

Hotel Content API: Want the full room story? Think photos, amenities, and the vibe. This API lays it all out.

They're not just handy but also reshaping travel in 2023.

2. Car Rentals:

The charm of the open road is undeniable. Car rental APIs, like the Trawex Car Rental API, ensure that travelers find their perfect ride. From finding available cars, and fetching rates, to even diving deep into details like the car model, these APIs have it all. Plus, businesses can offer their fleet to a broader audience to expand their reach and revenue.

3. Airlines:

With the sky being the limit, airlines are leveraging APIs to provide a hassle-free booking experience. FlightAPI, for instance, allows developers to get data from all major airlines. From checking seat availability and fetching the latest fares to even understanding the flight route. FlightAPI is a comprehensive tool that ensures you're always on top of your game.

4. Tour Agencies:

For tour agencies, keeping track of a multitude of events can be daunting. Thanks to APIs like TrekkSoft API and Ticketmaster's Partner API. Which allows agencies to easily track, retrieve, and book events. Whether it's a concert or a cultural fest it ensures that your clients get the best seats is now just an API away.

**Wrapping Up
**In the vast digital expanse of the travel industry, APIs are emerging as the unsung heroes.

They streamline processes, ensure real-time data accuracy, and most importantly, enhance the user experience.

For any travel business aiming to thrive in 2023 and beyond, a comprehensive Guide to Travel API is more than just a recommendation—it's a necessity.

And as we've seen with these four key use cases, the possibilities are boundless.

How to Develope a Hotel Price Monitoring Tool with Python?

Neha Jangid — Mon, 01 May 2023 08:25:56 +0000

In the world of travel and tourism, finding the best deals on hotels is of utmost importance.

With the plethora of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) available today, keeping track of hotel prices across different platforms can be a daunting task.

In this blog post, we will guide you through creating a simple hotel price monitoring tool using Python.

This tool will track hotel prices for specific dates and send an email notification whenever a better offer is available.

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure that you have Python 3.x installed on your system. You'll also need to install the requests library for handling HTTP requests:

mkdir hotelpricetracker

Choose a Hotel API

To gather accurate and up-to-date hotel pricing information, we'll need access to a reliable Hotel Price API. There are several APIs available in the market, such as Makcorps, Expedia, Booking.com, or Skyscanner.

Depending on your preference and budget, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Keep in mind that some APIs may require registration and may have usage limitations.

Set up the Python Environment

Create a new folder for your project:

mkdir hotel_price_monitor

Next, create a Python script within the folder. We'll name the file hotel.py.

We will also install a library that can make an HTTP connection to the host website. We are going to use requests for that purpose. Here is how you can install it.

pip install requests

Write the Price Monitoring Script

Start by importing the necessary libraries:

import requests

Currently, we are going to use a for loop to make a GET request to the hotel API for each date individually.

o={}
l=[]
ExpediaPrice=[]
ExpediaDate=[]

BookingPrice=[]
BookingDate=[]

for x in range(0,5):
    date='2023-03-{}/2023-03-{}'.format(x+11,x+12)
    target='https://api.makcorps.com/hotelprice/The%20lenox/114134/1/1/2023-03-{}/2023-03-{}?api_key=Your-API-Key'.format(x+11,x+12)

    resp=requests.get(target).json()

    for i in range(0,len(resp['comparison'][0])):
        if(resp['comparison'][0][i]['vendor{}'.format(i+1)] == 'Booking.com'):
            o["BookingPrice"]=resp['comparison'][0][i]["price{}".format(i+1)]
            o["dateB"]=date
            l.append(o)
            o={}
            continue

        if(resp['comparison'][0][i]['vendor{}'.format(i+1)] == 'Expedia.com'):
            o["ExpediaPrice"]=resp['comparison'][0][i]["price{}".format(i+1)]
            o["dateE"]=date
            l.append(o)
            o={}
            continue

Here are the step-by-step explanations of what we have done:

Declared empty arrays and objects.
Used a for loop to run five times, as we have five days of holidays to check prices for days falling between those dates.
Made a GET request to the API using the requests library.
Ran another for loop to extract prices from each response. Specifically, we extracted prices of booking.com and expedia.com and stored them in an object called o.
At the end of the first for loop, the list object l will have all the prices and respective dates.

If you are curious about what the API response looks like, you can check it out.

{
  "comparison": [
    [
      {
        "vendor1": "Expedia.com",
        "price1": "$169",
        "tax1": "$30"
      },
      {
        "vendor2": "Hotels.com",
        "price2": "$169",
        "tax2": "$30"
      },
      {
        "vendor3": "Booking.com",
        "price3": "$152",
        "tax3": "$27"
      },
      {
        "vendor4": "eDreams",
        "price4": "$152",
        "tax4": "$27"
      },
      {
        "vendor5": "Orbitz.com",
        "price5": "$169",
        "tax5": "$30"
      },
      {
        "vendor6": "Travelocity",
        "price6": "$169",
        "tax6": "$30"
      },
      {
        "vendor7": "Prestigia.com",
        "price7": "$161",
        "tax7": "$39"
      },
      {
        "vendor8": "Hurb",
        "price8": "$169",
        "tax8": "$35"
      },
      {
        "vendor9": "Algotels",
        "price9": null,
        "tax9": null
      },
      {
        "vendor10": "StayForLong",
        "price10": null,
        "tax10": null
      },
      {
        "vendor11": "Vio.com",
        "price11": null,
        "tax11": null
      },
      {
        "vendor12": "Official Site",
        "price12": null,
        "tax12": null
      },
      {
        "vendor13": "Priceline",
        "price13": null,
        "tax13": null
      },
      {
        "vendor14": "ZenHotels.com",
        "price14": null,
        "tax14": null
      },
      {
        "vendor15": "Agoda.com",
        "price15": null,
        "tax15": null
      },
      {
        "vendor16": "Trip.com",
        "price16": null,
        "tax16": null
      }
    ],
    [

    ]
  ]
}

Next, we need to create separate lists for each OTA. The purpose of doing this is to later sort the prices in ascending order.

for p in range(0,len(l)):
    try:
        ExpediaPrice.append(int(l[p]['ExpediaPrice'].replace('$','')))
        ExpediaDate.append(l[p]['dateE'])
    except:
        BookingPrice.append(int(l[p]['BookingPrice'].replace('$','')))
        BookingDate.append(l[p]['dateB'])

We have created four different arrays named ExpediaPrice, ExpediaDate, BookingPrice, and BookingDate.

ExpediaPrice holds the integer values of prices from Expedia, while ExpediaDate stores the corresponding dates of those prices from Expedia.com. Similarly, BookingPrice has integer values of prices from Booking.com, and BookingDate contains the dates corresponding to those prices from Booking.com.

Now that we have the data, our objective is to sort the prices in ascending order so that we can identify the cheapest price and the date on which it is available. To accomplish this, we can use the .sort() method to sort the ExpediaPrice and BookingPrice arrays.

ExpediaPrice.sort()
BookingPrice.sort()

We have the sorted price but we do not know the dates of these new arrays because the index position of each price has changed now. So, what we can do is record the index position of each price from the original array(without sorting). Through this, we will be able to track down their dates from ExpediaDate and BookingDate arrays.

For this task, we are going to use Numpy. It is already installed all you have to do is import this into the file.

ExpediaIndex = numpy.array(ExpediaPrice)
BookingIndex = numpy.array(BookingPrice)

sort_index_expedia = numpy.argsort(ExpediaIndex)
sort_index_booking = numpy.argsort(BookingIndex)

ExpediaPrice.sort()
BookingPrice.sort()

We are using the .array() function to insert the array list that requires sorting. Next, we are using the .argsort() function from numpy, which provides a list of indices in ascending order. This is also referred to as indirect sorting.

The sort_index_expedia and sort_index_booking arrays will contain the original position of each price. With this information, we can now determine the date of the sorted price list array as well.

Once you print the output, you will be able to see the cheapest price and date from each OTA.

print("Cheapest Price from Expedia is", ExpediaPrice[0])
print("Cheapest Date on Expedia is", ExpediaDate[sort_index_expedia[0]])

print("Cheapest Price from Booking.com is", BookingPrice[0])
print("Cheapest Date onBooking.com is", BookingDate[sort_index_booking[0]])

Now, all that's left to do is to email yourself the best vacation offer.

How To Mail Yourself?

To send emails using our Gmail account through mail, we will be utilizing the smtplib library. It is not necessary to install the library separately as it is already included in the Python installation.

def mail(bookingPrice, bookingDate, expediaPrice, expediaDate):
 attackMsg = '''\
Cheapest Price from Booking.com is {bookingPrice} \nCheapest Date for Booking.com is {bookingDate} \nCheapest Price from Expedia.com is {expediaPrice} \nCheapest Date for Expedia.com is {expediaDate}

'''.format(bookingPrice=bookingPrice, bookingDate=bookingDate, expediaPrice=expediaPrice, expediaDate=expediaDate)

 server = smtplib.SMTP('smtp.gmail.com', 587)
 server.ehlo()
 server.starttls()
 server.login("from@gmail.com", "your_passowrd")
 SUBJECT = "Price Alert"
 message = 'From: from@gmail.com \nSubject: {}\n\n{}'.format(SUBJECT, attackMsg)
 server.sendmail("from@gmail.com", 'send_to@gmail.com', message)

 server.quit()
 return True

The function "mail" is defined in the first line, which takes four arguments: bookingPrice, bookingDate, expediaPrice, and expediaDate. The second step involves creating a string variable called "attackMsg" using triple quotes. This variable includes placeholders ({}) for the four arguments of the function. The "format" method is used to replace the placeholders with the actual values of the arguments.

The next four lines establish a connection to a Gmail SMTP server using the smtplib library. The "ehlo" and "starttls" methods initiate a secure connection, and the "login" method authenticates the user with the SMTP server using their email address and password.

The subject and body of the email message are defined in two subsequent lines. The "message" variable contains a formatted string that includes the "SUBJECT" variable and the "attackMsg" variable.

The email message is sent using the "sendmail" method of the SMTP object, with the email being sent from the email address specified in the first argument (from@gmail.com) to the email address specified in the second argument (send_to@gmail.com).

The last two lines close the connection to the SMTP server using the "quit" method and return "True" to indicate that the email was successfully sent.

Finally, you will receive an email that looks like the one described below:

Here Is the Compltete Code

Naturally, you can utilize this code to monitor prices over an extended period of time. With this information, you can stay updated on the prices offered by your rivals as well.

import requests
import smtplib, ssl
import numpy


def mail(bookingPrice, bookingDate, expediaPrice, expediaDate):
 attackMsg = '''\
Cheapest Price from Booking.com is {bookingPrice} \nCheapest Date for Booking.com is {bookingDate} \nCheapest Price from Expedia.com is {expediaPrice} \nCheapest Date for Expedia.com is {expediaDate}

'''.format(bookingPrice=bookingPrice, bookingDate=bookingDate, expediaPrice=expediaPrice, expediaDate=expediaDate)

 server = smtplib.SMTP('smtp.gmail.com', 587)
 server.ehlo()
 server.starttls()
 server.login("from@gmail.com", "your_passowrd")
 SUBJECT = "Price Alert"
 message = 'From: from@gmail.com \nSubject: {}\n\n{}'.format(SUBJECT, attackMsg)
 server.sendmail("from@gmail.com", 'send_to@gmail.com', message)

 server.quit()
 return True


# l=[{'ExpediaPrice': 565, 'dateE': '2023-03-11/2023-03-12'}, {'BookingPrice': 565, 'dateB': '2023-03-11/2023-03-12'}, {'ExpediaPrice': 295, 'dateE': '2023-03-12/2023-03-13'}, {'BookingPrice': 295, 'dateB': '2023-03-12/2023-03-13'}, {'ExpediaPrice': 445, 'dateE': '2023-03-13/2023-03-14'}, {'BookingPrice': 445, 'dateB': '2023-03-13/2023-03-14'}, {'ExpediaPrice': 455, 'dateE': '2023-03-14/2023-03-15'}, {'BookingPrice': 455, 'dateB': '2023-03-14/2023-03-15'}, {'ExpediaPrice': 385, 'dateE': '2023-03-15/2023-03-16'}, {'BookingPrice': 385, 'dateB': '2023-03-15/2023-03-16'}]
o={}
l=[]
ExpediaPrice=[]
ExpediaDate=[]

BookingPrice=[]
BookingDate=[]

for x in range(0,5):
    date='2023-03-{}/2023-03-{}'.format(x+11,x+12)
    target='https://api.makcorps.com/hotelprice/The%20lenox/114134/1/1/2023-03-{}/2023-03-{}?api_key=Your-API-Key'.format(x+11,x+12)
    print(target)
    resp=requests.get(target).json()

    for i in range(0,len(resp['comparison'][0])):
        if(resp['comparison'][0][i]['vendor{}'.format(i+1)] == 'Booking.com'):
            o["BookingPrice"]=resp['comparison'][0][i]["price{}".format(i+1)]
            o["dateB"]=date
            l.append(o)
            o={}
            continue

        if(resp['comparison'][0][i]['vendor{}'.format(i+1)] == 'Expedia.com'):
            o["ExpediaPrice"]=resp['comparison'][0][i]["price{}".format(i+1)]
            o["dateE"]=date
            l.append(o)
            o={}
            continue

        # if(len(o) != 0):

for p in range(0,len(l)):
    try:
        ExpediaPrice.append(int(l[p]['ExpediaPrice'].replace('$','')))
        ExpediaDate.append(l[p]['dateE'])
    except:
        BookingPrice.append(int(l[p]['BookingPrice'].replace('$','')))
        BookingDate.append(l[p]['dateB'])


ExpediaIndex = numpy.array(ExpediaPrice)
BookingIndex = numpy.array(BookingPrice)

sort_index_expedia = numpy.argsort(ExpediaIndex)
sort_index_booking = numpy.argsort(BookingIndex)

ExpediaPrice.sort()
BookingPrice.sort()


mail(BookingPrice[0],BookingDate[sort_index_booking[0]], ExpediaPrice[0], ExpediaDate[sort_index_expedia[0]])

print("Cheapest Price from Expedia is", ExpediaPrice[0])
print("Cheapest Date from Expedia is", ExpediaDate[sort_index_expedia[0]])

print("Cheapest Price from Booking.com is", BookingPrice[0])
print("Cheapest Date from Booking.com is", BookingDate[sort_index_booking[0]])

Conclusion

In conclusion, developing a hotel price monitoring system with Python has demonstrated the language's vast capabilities.

By harnessing web scraping, data analysis, and visualization, we've created an intelligent and user-friendly system.

This project serves as a stepping stone, inspiring further innovation with Python.

So, let this experience be a catalyst for your own Python adventures, as you tackle new challenges and craft ingenious solutions.

The world awaits your creative touch, and Python is the perfect companion for the journey ahead.