New operator pledges to pay commission on direct bookings
Start-up operator excelholidays is seeking to build trade loyalty with 10% guaranteed minimum commission and no direct phone numbers in brochures.
The new Excel Airways off-shoot has also promised to pay agents commission even if consumers book direct from an agency stamped brochure.
The programme covers more than 40 destinations from 16 UK departure airports, all of which can be dynamically packaged. A 170-page trade brochure is to be published next month featuring more than 1,000 three, four and five star hotels, villas and apartments.
Summer prices lead-in at £119 for a seven-night stay in apartments in Majorca.
Destinations featured include: Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Portugal, Madeira, Italy, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Tunisia, Florida and Barbados. Additional destinations available online include Mauritius and new resort areas including Lisbon and Porto in Portugal, and Marsa Alam and Cairo in Egypt.
Bookings are available via viewdata, a dedicated agents’ phone line or online at the operator’s website.
The company claims to have signed up 1,000 independent agents to distribute through and has set up a merchandising network to reach others.
Managing director Gianni Bonuglia, a former director at the Magic Travel Group, said: “We are offering an exciting alternative for travel consultants to sell thousands of dynamic and packaged short and long haul holidays and be properly rewarded for doing so.”
A programme of travel agent incentives has been introduced including a prize draw for free educational places and extra Agents Points during the launch period.
Both dynamic and packaged holidays are protected through ATOL bonding. Excelholidays has the backing of the Iclandic Avion Group, owner of Excel Airways, Freedom Flights, Aspire Holidays and XL.com.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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