Focus on AllMexico

Kim Rose, president of AllMexico, Inc. has a plan: Start with the Riviera Maya and then expand throughout Mexico, making it easier for agents to book activities for their clients.

"I think agents will agree with me that planning travel for their clients is much more than just booking transportation and accommodation. It's about the experience in the destination," says Rose. "Agents need real flexibility in planning itineraries for their clients."

Rose is the former executive director of the 500 Club and travel agency development for Funjet Vacations. During her tenure with Funjet Vacations she was instrumental in the development and execution of numerous travel agency sales, marketing and reward programs tailored to initiate new agency business and create incremental revenue.

AllMexico did a soft launch last January. Rose says feedback from agents has been positive, with thumbs up for the web site's functionality and content.

The company offers a variety of standard destination products and services in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Cozumel. "Cancun and the Riviera Maya are so popular that it's becoming a commodity—Cancun is the new Vegas." Rose notes that many visitors have already experienced the larger properties and on their return are looking for a smaller, boutique hotel experience. "Generally, we're not handling accommodations," says Rose. But if an agent needs some suggestions in choosing accommodations for their clients, AllMexico will assist in booking them into smaller niche boutique properties. "I'm choosing not to focus on the larger brand hotels," says Rose.

While AllMexico is getting its feet wet concentrating on Cancun, Cozumel and the Riviera Maya, Rose predicts that the company will offer options in Puerto Vallarta by June, followed closely by Los Cabos and Ixtapa. "We're first making sure the functionality of the web site is operating without a hitch," she says.

In addition to options from such established attractions as Xcaret and swimming with dolphins at Via Delphi Dolphins, AllMexico has several tours unique to the company. An example is the Mini Yucatan Wonders of the World tour, a customized two-day tour that includes visits to Chichen Itza.

For the most part, AllMexico is not focusing on packaging air and accommodations, although the company does have an interesting accommodation option.

The company sells five upscale haciendas/villas, which can be booked individually or as a group. Each villa holds three to 10 people, making them a good recommendation for destination weddings and family reunions. Prices start at $1,500 for four nights. Some have sea views, while others have views of the course at the Playacar Golf Club.

To register, agents must become a member (membership is free) and have an ARC number, but Rose says that home-based travel agents can log onto AllMexico.net to facilitate registration.

Rose notes that agents can contact the company's Travel Agent Concierge service and within 24-48 hours they will get a response determining the pricing. Although AllMexico is concentrating on the leisure market, the company can handle the needs of incentive groups of up to 150 people. AllMexico pays 10 percent commission. Inquiries about how to navigate the web site can be addressed to [email protected]; questions about sales and marketing can be directed to [email protected].