Integrate Travel XML APIs with Your Website Quickly

Integrate Travel XML APIs with Your Website Quickly

Before you start integrating a Travel XML API with your website, it's important to understand what an XML API does. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is a language used for storing and transferring data on the web and serves as the foundation for most Travel XML APIs. By connecting an XML API to your website, you'll be able to access travel data from third-party providers which can then be used to inform prices and provide additional features such as flight notifications, booking history, and more.

Depending on the scope of your project, a Travel XML API integration can take from just a few hours to some days. You'll need to have your own web service or API that can call out and manage data from the external Travel XML API. Working with raw XML data will require you to know how to develop in a server-side language such as PHP or JavaScript for added complexity. With the right integration, you'll be able to power up travel data search capabilities on your website giving users all the options they desire when it comes to planning their next vacation.

Get Access to a Travel API.

The first step you need to take while integrating a Travel XML API with your website is to get access to one. There are various sources online offering access to travel APIs, but some of the most popular ones include HotelsCombined and SabreTravel Network. These companies provide API access to hundreds of systems so you have plenty of choices when it comes time to actually integrate the API with your website.

Once you have obtained access to the Travel XML API, the next step in integration is coding. Depending on what language your website is written in and which API you are using, the actual coding process could vary significantly. For example, HotelsCombined's APIs use a JavaScript-based SDK, while SabreTravel Network requires you to use its own XML-RPC based client. If you don't have the skills or knowledge necessary for coding the integration yourself, there are plenty of web developers available to do it for you.

Additionally, you need to make sure you have the proper testing framework and error handling strategies in place before launching the Travel XML API integration on your website. Testing should be done on both ends of authentication to ensure data is successfully integrated and properly formatted. Additionally, you should review any mapping services that need to be used to avoid any discrepancies between data sets. Last but not least, you’ll need to configure a caching strategy as well as log security events, so keep this in mind when integrating an API. By taking all these steps into consideration, you can confidently ensure that integrating a Travel XML API will be smooth and successful.

Set up the XML Feed in Your Site's Backend.

Once you have access to the API, the next step is to set up the XML feed in your website's backend. This setup process can vary depending on what kind of platform your website is built with. Generally speaking, you'll need to provide the API address along with some authentication credentials like a username and password. Once you've entered that information correctly, you should be able to start pulling data from the XML feed into your website.

One of the benefits to setting up an XML feed integration is that the data keeps your website relatively up-to-date, as it's constantly pulling new information from the server when requested. This makes many parts of managing a travel website easier and more efficient. A few common uses for this type of integration include dynamic price display, package deals, and availability calendars. All these elements are typically powered by real-time data from an API or XML feed.

Add the Relevant Source URLs to Your Pages.

After setting up the XML feed, the next step is to add the relevant URL's that will allow your website to access this data. These URL's can be found in the travel API's documentation, and they should be added at the appropriate parts of your website where you want to display this data. Make sure each URL is configured properly and test it out to make sure you are getting accurate results.

Additionally, if your website supports multiple languages, you will want to make sure the travel API can supply content in each of those languages. Check to see if the API has the ability to deliver content in multiple languages, and make sure the correct URL's are added for each language. Make sure to also test each URL until all of your content is properly integrated and formatted. Once you have all of your links set up correctly, you should be able to get a smooth transition when displaying travel data on your website.

Research the XML API

Before you can integrate a Travel XML API with your website, it’s important to clearly understand the features offered by the particular API. Take time to read the documentation carefully and research how each feature works and what it can do for your website. Also take note of any limitations that come with the API so you know what’s possible and what isn’t. Once you have a clear understanding of how each feature works, you can start building your integration plan. When you’re ready to begin work on the integration, start by setting up a staging environment. This will help ensure all of your changes are tested properly and in isolation from production data. When you’ve created the staging environment, write out test cases that detail how to use each feature offered by the API. Once you have a suite of tests to run, start with smaller features and end with larger ones such as authentication or complex data structures. Additionally, since most APIs are in constant flux, take time every now and then to review the documentation for updates or issue reports related to the API. Doing so will keep your integration running smoothly and bug-free.