Virgin Holidays unveils bookable agents’ website

A new travel agents’ website offering online booking is being introduced by Virgin Holidays next week.

The updated agent website www.vhols4agents.co.uk goes live on December 15 in time for the January peak booking period.

It will allow agents to make bookings online, add internal flights, request invoices and book excursions. The site will also enable agents to get a quote from Virgin Holidays call centre then book it on the web. 

Video footage of Caribbean destinations is featured with more likely to be added as the site develops. 

The launch follows in depth research among travel agents over 18 months, and has been designed with the flexibility to book not only single and twin-centre holidays but multi-centre holidays and tours, according to the operator. 

The research found that most agents wanted beneficial content, while others wanted the simplicity of being able to book online. 

The website is to be enhanced further in early 2006, giving agents the flexibility to manage and control their own bookings. Amendments will be able to be made to existing bookings, including amending customer details, changing accommodation, upgrading flights and rooms, and it will also permit bookings to be cross-referred.  In addition to this agents will be able to view a customers booking status and see when the balance is due and when tickets will be sent. 

To access Virgin’s website agents need to enter their viewdata password and ABTA number.

Virgin Holidays will continue to offer a dedicated trade helpdesk offering support to agents with queries regarding viewdata and its trade website, and will also provide guidance on how to make a booking on the site. 

The operator’s sales general manager Kieran Farragher said: “We are really excited about launching our new bookable trade website, not only can bookings be made on it, but it gives our agents the flexibility to manage their own bookings. 

“If agents want to make changes to bookings, no longer will they be restricted to office hours but can make the necessary changes when they want.  We have worked very hard over the last 18 months to develop a site that is going to be extremely useful, save time and make booking holidays very simple and manageable.  Our site will even act as a great source of information, even if it is not a Virgin Holiday.”

Meanwhile, prices have been frozen at this winter’s levels by Virgin Holidays with the early release of a 2006-07 ski and snowboard programme.

The 116-page preview brochure gives a lead-in for a week in Lake Tahoe of £529 while Whistler starts at £579. Child prices start at £219 and teenage prices from £379 at Lake Tahoe and all New England ski resorts. When booking an adult lift pass customers receive a child’s lift pass free at selected resorts.

Other offers include seven nights for the price of six and 14 nights for the price of 12 at a number of hotels.

For bookings made before March 31, there is a £50 discount per couple on Delta Air Lines departures to Denver. Other deals include free car upgrades and domestic flights from £20.

Report by Phil Davies