More long haul dynamic packaging claimed
Trade accommodation supplier hotels4U.com is claiming a 65% rise in agents dynamically packaging long haul trips in the last three months.
Overall, the company reported a 88% increase in sales in the first six months of 2006 over the corresponding period last year, with 2,500 travel agents actively using the website.
Increased long haul activity has been notable to the US and Caribbean and has prompted the company to expand in the region for the winter to include Barbados, Tobago, Grenada, St.Kitts, Antigua, Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. New destinations due to be launched within the next two month include Dubai and the Maldives.
Sales development manager Simon Barnes said: “The dynamic packaging market is incredibly strong at the moment, and a combination of modern technology, cheap airfares and commission cuts have all helped both our business and the proactive retailers that have embraced dynamic packaging.
“Agents are aware that they can sell for less and make more through dynamic packaging and have enough trust in the way it works to apply the principles to long haul destinations. This is coupled with the increase in charter airlines introducing long haul routes, such as Excel Airways into the Caribbean.”
Meanwhile, established Mediterranean destinations in Greece, Spain, Portugal and Turkey continue to dominate sales with Greece and Spain representing 65% of the company’s total business.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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