You might also like:
In advance of the Classic Vacations Star Performers event in Maui last week, which celebrated top agents who sold more than $500,000 in 2015, the company unveiled a new website on Aug. 28.
Still in its beta rollout with a full launch expected at the end of October, the site introduced an updated look and feel, with clean, responsive design, bright images and lots of white space. It also changed the booking functionality for agents working with Classic. The new booking engine will be faster, said Dave Ferran, Classic’s head of sales. It will also allow multi-room and multi-destination bookings, as well as date deviation.
Designed to accommodate both digitally inclined and traditional agents, the site enables construction of complex itineraries and offers private-label branding on digital assets or tear sheets so agents can promote their business with customers.
“We want to be sure we are equipped to give [agents] the kind of solutions they need,” said Jonna Jackson, Classic’s head of strategic partnerships.
One new tool is Wanderlist, a shopping cart-like feature that allows agents to create customized proposals for travelers. They can pick two or three hotels, add a handful of tour options, then private-label the information and send it to customers with their own comments. Agents can create multiple lists for each client or save lists for future customers, and they can integrate the content with third-party travel-planning apps like Axus and Umapped, both of which are Classic partners.
The website is available on mobile, so advisers can update lists and book travel on the go.
“The various pieces work together powerfully,” said Ferran. “Take as much as you want, take as little as you want.”
As is often the case with digital launches, the new site also caused some frustrations.
“It was hair-pulling time for me,” said Steve Macknight of Perfect Honeymoons in San Diego.
“There may be some technical challenges right away,” conceded Ferran, but he assured agents that any glitches and slowness would be addressed and fixed.
However, Macknight and his wife Gretchen Macknight, a fellow luxury travel consultant with Perfect Honeymoons, also recognized the potential in the new digital platform, pointing to multi-island and multi-room booking options and the branded tear sheets.
“We’re excited about the promise of the new website’s capabilities,” said Gretchen.
Source: travelweekly.com
