| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 28/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 68 |
| Copyright: Other |
Holiday add-ons
Boost your pay packet by selling added extras
Boost your pay packet by selling added extras
Ancillary products increase commission
EVERY time an agent makes a booking, there are many other things to think about – travel insurance, airport parking, airport hotels, airport lounges, car rental and theme park attraction tickets.These are the ancillary products that can help retailers boost their income.
Imagine what a client queuing for an hour for an entrance ticket at Walt Disney World in Florida would feel if he found out he could have bought the ticket from an agent in the UK.
There are many selling tips that companies pass on to help agents sell extras.
Top of the list is to make sure clients recognise the products they can pre-book.
How many people know they can pre-book an airport lounge at around £15.95 per person? And how many clients will be tempted by a peaceful wait for their flight? And if they buy foreign currency while making the booking, they will have more time to relax at the airport.
Most people are aware they can pre-book car rental for use in their resort, but might not think about what they are going to do with their car when they drive to the airport.
Booking in advance means huge savings and guarantees a space in busy periods.
Combining parking with an airport hotel means even bigger savings.
One vital extra is travel insurance, which no-one should travel without.
Research from American Express shows that nearly eight million (17%) of all Britons took a short break abroad last year and yet nearly a fifth of those (19%) travelled without insurance.
The figures are proof of the important role agents have to play in ensuring that clients take insurance.
Time saver: pre-bookingtickets can save long queues at Walt Disney World
Best Holiday Add-ons
Vote for the company that provides the best additional holiday services or products; airport transfers, parking or lounges; insurance; currency; attractions/theatre tickets.
factfile
florida add-ons
Travel insurance: a two-week single-trip policy to the US costs, on average, £25 and you are selling two policies at 45% commission. Value to agent – £22.
Total commission: £226.60.
viewpoint
Colin Brodie, director of sales and marketing Europe at Visit Florida, gives us his views on selling added extras
The popularity of theme parks in Florida is the reason why so many Britons visit the state every year. Increasingly, these visitors are seeking to purchase their attractions tickets before leaving the UK.
Pre-purchase benefits the holidaymaker and the travel agent.ÊIt helps the client budget the cost of the holiday. It also guarantees them entrance to the parks.Ê
For the agent, it is an opportunity to earn more commission. With the cost of passes for a family of four visiting all the parks topping £1,500, retailers can’t ignore what this commission could mean. How many families booking an Orlando holiday will not visit at least one of the parks?Ê
Agents should look to sell the Disney multi-park Hopper passes, the Orlando Flextickets or the individual park tickets. Most tour operators offer these passes in their brochures. In addition, Keith Prowse, Flightdesk, Transolar, Gold Medal and Seligo offerpre-purchase options and have done a great job in raising awareness of this service.