Ongoing Dedicated Development for a Leading EU Ferry Line

Vertical:

Cruise Companies

Technology:

Java, Objective-C, AngularJS, React.js

Scope:

50000 + man-hours

Approach:

Custom Development

Project Background

Tallink is one of the top cruise operators in the EU, managing a vast fleet of ships and ferries that travel across the Baltic Sea, connecting Estonia, Finland, Sweden, and Latvia. As one of the largest passenger and cargo carriers in the region, Tallink sought to enhance its online booking system to better serve its growing customer base.

Challenge

Tallink faced the challenge of updating their legacy ticketing system and optimizing booking and reservation processing. The company required a comprehensive, long-term IT solution and dedicated resources to handle the ongoing development needs of their digital platforms.

Goals

Tallink’s objectives included:

Creating a modern, custom e-commerce portal to replace the outdated booking system.
Expanding digital sales with a responsive user interface and mobile apps for both iOS and Android.
Implementing a loyalty program to increase customer retention and boost revenue.

Solutions

To meet these goals, GP Solutions worked closely with Tallink to develop tailored solutions that were both scalable and effective:

SPA-based interface: The Tallink booking system was upgraded to a Single Page Application (SPA), improving the user experience by allowing customers to navigate the entire booking process on a single page without page reloads.

Advanced User Features: We introduced features that allowed users to book alternative routes, select additional services (such as catering and entertainment), and easily modify bookings without needing to contact support.

Responsive and mobile-optimized UI: The web portal was fully optimized for both desktop and mobile devices, ensuring a seamless experience across all platforms.

Mobile booking app: Our team developed cross-platform apps for iOS and Android, enabling customers to book and manage their travel on-the-go.

Loyalty program: A custom loyalty program was integrated directly into the booking system, offering customers discounts, bonus points, and rewards to encourage repeat business.

Results

The newly developed booking portal and mobile apps transformed Tallink’s digital presence:

Enhanced User Experience: The SPA interface improved booking efficiency, while mobile apps made booking accessible anytime, anywhere.
Increased Flexibility: Customers could now book multiple travel services and update bookings without leaving the page.
Higher Revenue: The addition of extra services during the booking process led to a significant increase in cross-selling and upselling opportunities.
Business Growth: With the improvements in booking efficiency and customer satisfaction, Tallink saw a 1.4% increase in sales, reaching €192.8 million.