FIRST Choice-owned Sunsail has developed an on-line booking facility which it claims will revolutionise the way it sells holidays.
Sales and marketing director Andy Howard predicted that, in the long term, half of its sales are likely to be made on the Web as people become more confident about booking on-line.
It will also expand its client base, he added.
“We have long realised the importance of our Web site and booking on-line has been a key strategic objective of Sunsail,” he said. “Being able to book and pay for your holiday via the Internet opens up a whole new range of possibilities both for us and our clients.
“We have already taken around 50 bookings and I can see a time in the future when more than half of our bookings will be placed in this way.”
Portsmouth-based Sunsail launched its Web site over two years ago and has been working on the on-line facility for three months. It has spent around £100,000 on the project.
“I feel that people who are not familiar with the product or who are inexperienced sailors will research the product on the Web but still want to speak to someone,” said Howard. “Those who know what they want and what it is all about will be the ones who book on-line.”
Sunsail is the first in the First Choice group to launch an on-line booking facility although others are expected to follow.
Managing director of UK distribution Peter Shanks is spearheading the e-commerce revolution with a detailed strategy expected to be revealed shortly.
“We need to have a balance of retail and electronic distribution,” said Shanks. “It is unchartered territory and we need to explore every opportunity.”
The Web address is www.sunsail.com.