Vacation.com has continued its history of initiatives with its announcement that 1,100 member agencies are now activated to use EZguider, the consortium’s leisure sales platform. Launched in July 2008, Vacation.com appears to be replicating its success— and agency acceptance— of its earlier introduction of its Engagement marketing program. Member agencies can use the new sales platform to search, compare and book tours, cruises and insurance. Air capabilities will be added in the first quarter of 2009.
Even though EZguider is free to use by all Vacation.com members, agencies must first become activated to launch the platform from AgentNet, Vacation.com said. Once launched, the agency can then search, compare and book a wide range of leisure travel products.
Activation is the first step in adopting EZguider into their daily business habits, making it their first-choice sales tool when clients walk through their doors, Vacation.com said. Agencies that are already using EZguider to book Preferred Supplier products daily take advantage of a $3 per booking bonus incentive beyond the elevated supplier commissions they already receive for being a member of Vacation.com.
“With side-by-side product comparison, a fully integrated system with TRAMS Client Base back office and scheduled air on the horizon for the first quarter, this product clearly provides the right tool at the right time for our membership," said Steve Tracas, president and CEO of Vacation.com. "With constant feedback from our membership and our advisory board, EZguider’s functionality is enhanced monthly. 2009 will be dedicated to ramping-up as many members as possible onto the platform."
Vacation.com plans to improve this exclusive member benefit in the first quarter of 2009 by adding air functionality— without the need of a GDS contract, monthly GDS fees or productivity goals— giving members the ability to view, shop and book their own air through EZguider. Agents can visit www.EZguider.net to learn more about the leisure-selling tool, while Vacation.com members can visit www.AgentNet.com to launch EZguider.