We believe travel has a uniquely powerful ability to bring people together and change the way we see the world - something we believe the world needs more of right now. To quote Terry Pratchett in a Hat Full of Sky: "Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving." The challenge is that travel is hard. The pandemic has made it even more challenging. It can feel like you need a degree in logistics to plan more than a simple trip. Travel is also deeply personal and human. Review sites and booking engines make the actual process of booking easy, but are case studies in the paradox of choice. Information overload results in countless hours of research and a lingering feeling of uncertainty: how similar to me are these reviewers? If you haven't worked with a 'travel agent', you might think of them as a relic of the past. It's true, that agents today are no longer a requirement to book a ticket like they once were. Instead, travel advisors (as they're now called) act more as a trusted advisor combining local knowledge and experience with their understanding of your values and priorities to craft the perfect trip. The technology that powers the modern travel advisor hasn't kept up with the tools available to consumers. Advisors are left juggling multiple antiquated and fragmented systems. Not only is this frustrating, but it comes at a real cost of business. Disconnected systems can result in lost commissions and a compromised traveler experience. Tern exists to change this by building an integrated platform that connects the modern travel advisor to their travelers and suppliers.
