A travel wholesaler can be an agent’s best friend when it comes to group travel. They can help you market to different types of groups and then assist you through the entire process from start to finish.
Here’s what you need to need to know about working with a travel wholesaler to book group travel:
One Source to Handle It All
A travel wholesaler partner can work with you before, during, and after to ensure your group is always in the best hands. One call does it all, and you and your group will always have someone to call to handle requests and any issues that may arise. GOGO Vacations, for example, has seven group planning teams throughout the US who help travel agents grow their group business.
Hotel Partner Relationships
Most travel wholesalers work closely with their hotel partners and are able to provide customized group contacts. The hotels can design the stay based on the needs of the group. They will work with you to place all guests close together, to ensure families get connecting rooms if that’s what they want and any special requests—like handicapped rooms or certain views. They’ll also work with you to plan all group dining and special activities.
Group Concessions
Depending on the tour operator and the size of your group, they may be eligible for a number of added value options such as free rooms, free upgrades, private cocktail party and/or dinner, resort or spa credit and discounts.
Group Size
Be sure to always ask how a tour operator defines a group. Many may require 6 to 10 rooms to make up a group, while others, like GOGO Vacations, only requires 10 people to constitute a group.
Type of Group Travel
Groups can be found everywhere you look. Start with your own database, reaching out to families to plan multigenerational family gatherings with stays at hotels with children’s clubs. Encourage friends and social groups to head off to an all-inclusive resort for fun. Leisure groups can also come in the form of Destination Weddings and bachelor/bachelorette parties before the big day. Travel wholesalers can help match you up with the best wedding planners in the destination. Finally, group travel can also mean setting up a meeting and incentive in an exciting locale that mixes meeting space and needs with team downtime.