How to become an eSIM reseller: A guide for tour operators and travel agents

Making your travel packages stand out from competitors is key to growing your travel business. 

Tour operators and travel agents can expand their businesses by integrating eSIM technology into their offerings, providing travelers with seamless connectivity and peace of mind.

Understanding how to integrate Airalo’s eSIM products into your packages is key to setting your business apart and driving growth.

In this article, you'll learn:

• Why should tour operators and travel agents sell eSIMs?
• How eSIMs drive success for travel agents and tour operators
• How to bundle eSIMs into travel packages
• What to consider when choosing eSIM partners
• Why should tour operators and travel agents choose Airalo Partners? 
• How does Airalo's Reseller partnership work? 
• FAQs

Why should tour operators and travel agents sell eSIMs?

Tour operators and travel agents serve the same audience as eSIM technology — travelers. Your customers count on you to enhance their journeys, and eSIMs are a seamless way to take their experience to the next level.

With eSIMs, travelers can skip the hassles of roaming charges, unreliable Wi-Fi, or hunting down local SIM cards. Instead, they’re instantly connected the moment they land — ready to share, explore, and communicate without interruption. This not only provides peace of mind but also ensures a smoother, more enjoyable trip — something they'll associate with your brand.

Plus, travel technology reflects an innovative and tech-forward solution for your business. eSIMs are entirely digital, so there's no need for physical inventory, storage, or maintenance. You can effortlessly include eSIMs in your packages without logistical headaches.

How eSIMs drive success for travel agents and tour operators

eSIMs don’t just provide connectivity — they offer a strategic edge for travel businesses, boosting customer satisfaction and setting you apart from competitors.

Tony Kaldas, Director of Partnerships - Arabia and Africa, adds from his own experience with partners, "eSIMs have proven to be a game-changer for travel agents and tour operators by addressing key customer needs like reliable connectivity abroad. Our partners report increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, as travelers appreciate the added convenience and value."

Here’s how eSIMs can elevate your business:

• Enhance your customer experience: Solve one of the most common travel pain points: finding affordable, reliable internet abroad. By offering eSIMs, you improve customer satisfaction with a timely, relevant solution.
• Stand out from the competition: Differentiate your business with a cutting-edge solution. By integrating eSIMs into your services, you showcase your brand as modern, tech-savvy, and customer-focused.
• Bundle it up: Enhance your offerings by including eSIM packages in travel bundles. A comprehensive offering adds convenience and value, making your business more attractive to travelers.

How to bundle eSIMs into travel packages

Here’s an example of how you could include eSIMs in your product offerings.

Instead of offering a standard travel package to Thailand that includes transport, accommodation, and tours, you can set yourself apart by including an eSIM package. This addition provides a unique selling point that directly addresses a common travel pain point: connectivity.

For instance, when a customer books your Thailand package, they receive an eSIM preloaded with enough data to cover their entire trip. This ensures they have reliable internet access from the moment they land, whether they need to navigate from the airport, stay in touch with loved ones, or share their travel experiences on social media.

By bundling eSIMs into your package, you add an extra layer of convenience and value that sets your business apart. It eliminates the need for travelers to deal with expensive roaming charges, unstable Wi-Fi, or the hassle of purchasing a local SIM card. Customers will appreciate how your package saves them time and effort while enhancing their travel experience.

This simple integration not only elevates your offerings but also positions your brand as innovative, customer-centric, and tech-forward, making it more appealing in a competitive market.

What to consider when choosing eSIM partners 

When it comes to business growth, you're not only opting to add eSIMs to your offer. You are also choosing a partner. Choosing the right eSIM partner is key to ensuring your business can grow, scale, and offer reliable connections. 

The following are a few factors to keep in mind when choosing an eSIM partner: 

• Global reach: Ensure your partner offers global coverage and a range of local, regional, and global eSIM packages to meet the needs of diverse travelers.
• Easy eSIM management: Look for a platform that simplifies the process of purchasing and distributing eSIMs. This will save your team time and money in the long run.
• Effortless integration: An easy integration process reduces downtime and accelerates your time to market. This allows you to integrate eSIMs in any part of the customer journey without dedicating time to development and maintenance.
• Dedicated partner support: Get access to 24/7 support to assist with any questions, troubleshooting, or issues. Reliable support ensures smooth operations, strengthens your business, and helps you provide the best experience for your customers.
• Profit control: Work with a partner that lets you set your profit margins and manage your pricing, marketing, and positioning.

Why should tour operators and travel agents choose Airalo Partners?

Joining Airalo Partners doesn’t just unlock a new revenue stream — it elevates your brand and enhances your customer offerings. With tailored solutions and unmatched flexibility, Airalo Partners is the ideal choice for travel businesses looking to innovate and grow.

Tony explains why so many in the industry are choosing Airalo: "Tour operators and travel agents partner with Airalo because our solutions are designed to align seamlessly with their business goals."

Thanks to Airalo Partners' wide range of partnership options, agencies can easily integrate eSIMs into their travel packages.

"Travel agencies and tour operators can boost revenue and customer satisfaction by offering eSIMs as part of their travel packages," Tony adds. "Our flexible solutions, including branded and white-label options, make it easy to integrate connectivity without added overhead. This provides travelers with seamless connectivity and peace of mind while generating a valuable new revenue stream for agencies."

Benefits of partnering with Airalo include:

• Partner with a trusted leader: Airalo is the world’s first and largest eSIM platform, trusted by millions of travelers worldwide.
• Offer the widest range of eSIMs: Access 200+ eSIM packages across regions, countries, and global plans, ensuring you meet every traveler’s needs.
• Scale with confidence: Get dedicated partner support, in-depth resources, and step-by-step documentation to help you grow.
• Maximize your revenue: Our competitive net pricing model gives you control over your profit margins. Purchase eSIMs at wholesale rates and set your own prices, provided they meet the minimum selling price.
• Flexible selling options: Resell eSIMs with our all-in-one Partner Platform or integrate seamlessly with our Partner Integrations (more info below).
• Automated tracking & reporting: Gain real-time insights into your sales and performance with built-in analytics and reporting tools.
• Priority access to new features: Be the first to leverage new tools, updates, and exclusive partner opportunities as Airalo Partners continues to innovate.

How does Airalo's Reseller partnership work? 

Airalo Partners offers various partnership solutions, each designed to help your business grow and adapt to your current setup. 

Getting started is simple — just complete the application process on our website, and we’ll recommend the best partnership solution based on your business needs.

Reseller partners usually choose between two options: the Airalo Partner Platform or our Partner Integrations. Here's a breakdown of both solutions.

Reseller Partner Platform

Goal: Sell and distribute eSIMs without the need to integrate an eSIM shop into your website or app. 

The Partner Platform is designed to give resellers a ready-to-use, hassle-free solution for selling eSIMs. Instead of handling technical integrations or managing complex systems, you get access to a user-friendly dashboard where you can easily buy, manage, and distribute eSIMs to your customers.

This option is ideal for teams with limited technical or developer resources. Rather than integrating eSIMs into your website, you can leverage the Partner Platform to start selling immediately.

Reseller Partner Integrations

Goal: Seamlessly integrate eSIMs into your website or app as part of your customer journey.

This solution enables you to integrate eSIMs directly into your platform, allowing customers to browse and purchase eSIMs without leaving your website or app. By embedding eSIMs into your existing user journey, you create a frictionless experience that enhances customer convenience, increases engagement, and drives additional revenue.

We offer several integration methods to fit your technical setup:

• Partner API: A highly flexible solution that gives you full control over eSIM integration.
• SDK: A fast and efficient way to embed eSIMs directly into your website or app.
• Airalo Plugin for WordPress: An easy-to-use plugin for adding eSIMs to your WordPress site.

Please note that our integrations, especially the API, are best suited for businesses with a dedicated tech or development team to manage the setup, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of eSIM offerings.

FAQs

What is an eSIM, and how does it work for travelers?

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card that allows travelers to connect to mobile networks without needing a physical SIM card. Travelers can instantly purchase and activate eSIMs, providing seamless connectivity for calls, texts, and data abroad.

Do eSIMs work worldwide, and what coverage does Airalo offer?

Airalo offers extensive coverage across 200+ destinations, with over 900 local, regional, and global eSIM packages. These plans vary by duration, data allowance, and voice and SMS options, giving travelers flexible connectivity solutions to fit their needs.

Are there any upfront costs associated with becoming an Airalo reseller?

No! There are no maintenance or signing-up fees associated with becoming an Airalo Reseller. You can start earning immediately.

How easy is it to manage eSIMs as an Airalo Reseller?

Managing eSIMs is incredibly straightforward with Airalo’s Partner Platform. You can purchase, distribute, and monitor eSIMs all in one place.