| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 05/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 45 |
| Copyright: Other |
Programme update
Clients drawn to new Jetlife offers
Product attracts many enquiries
HAWAII specialist Jetlife says interest in its new South Pacific programme has been strong, although the enquiries have not always converted into bookings.The operator added the South Pacific to its dedicated Hawaii brochure – renamed Hawaii and Beyond – in April to give clients travelling to Hawaii greater choice for multi-centre holidays.
Product director Gary Grieve said: “Around 70% of customers who go to Hawaii stop off somewhere else. Adding the South Pacific increases their options. It is a slightly unusual approach because most operators sell the South Pacific as an extension to Australasia.”
He said although initial enquiries have not all become bookings, he is not disheartened: “The programme has only been out for six weeks and the South Pacific is the sort of destination people spend a long time thinking about before booking.”
The brochure features properties in Samoa, the Cook Islands and Fiji with a lead-in price of £1,069 for seven nights at Aggie Grey’s Hotel on the waterfront in Apia, Samoa’s capital.
The other properties include the Rarotongan Beach Resort in the Cook Islands and the Sheraton Royal Denarau Resort in Fiji.
“We are dipping our toe in the water at the moment and seeing how well the programme does,” said Grieve.
Single-centre stays in the South Pacific are on offer but the most popular option at the moment is a 13-night holiday with three nights in Los Angeles, five in Waikiki on the island of Oahu and five in Fiji.
The lead-in price for this holiday is £1,499 room only, including Air New Zealand flights and transfers.
Grieve said the recent political upheaval in Fiji is unlikely to affect the operator as none of its bookings are for imminent travel. “It is not an issue for us. Getting space on flights is more of an issue as blocks of seats are held by cruise operators which affects availability,” he said.
Fiji: included in Jetlife’s latest programme to the South Pacific