Gap Adventures is rolling out a new online reservation platform for sales agents worldwide. Developed based on agent feedback, the enhanced booking engine was designed to be simpler and more efficient. Launched since Jan. 20, the reservation platform has new features and benefits, including improved user interface, a faster-loading home page, the ability to confirm all services at once with one click.
Funjet Vacations recently introduced new technology within VAXVacationAccess.com that gives travel agents the ability to find and sort hotels by their clients’ preferences and themes. This allows for travel agents to quickly narrow down hotel choices based on over 15 selected criteria such as all-inclusive, adults-only, beach, family, luxury and spa.
VAX VacationAccess will present a virtual vacation event called “National Plan a Vacation Week: A Travel Agent-Powered Extravaganza,” March 15 to 21, 2011. Unlike virtual trade shows that only showcase suppliers to travel agents, this event provides travel agents who participate the opportunity to create individual micro-websites, featuring exclusive supplier photos and videos, helping them to better market themselves to consumers.
Groupize.com has released its online marketplace dedicated to automating group travel. Groupize.com offers the ability to shop group travel products online and to dynamically create tailor-made itineraries. Travel professionals and consumers can now browse “collections” of sample itineraries and create their own group travel experiences.
Jetsetter.com, a members-only travel site, has launched the beta version of a retail site featuring hand-selected vacation experiences representing the best-in-class products around the globe. Travel partners featured in the retail collection are by invitation only, meet Jetsetter’s high standards and maintained a member satisfaction rating of 85 percent or higher in post-stay surveys.
W South Beach Hotel & Residences is to become the first W Hotel to launch a Smartphone application, allowing consumers to interact with the hotel remotely and customize their bookings. The app launches on iTunes and Smartphone stores next week.