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Agents switching to online bookings
Agents are becoming increasingly confident about booking online but are still failing to exploit holiday add-ons, figures released by bluebookonline.com have indicated
According to the trade only accommodation provider, 76% of all bookings during the second quarter of 2005 were reserved online by agents, compared to 62% in the same period last year.
“The growth of online sales as a percentage of overall business demonstrates increasing confidence in the net as a booking tool,” said managing director Philip Read.
Overall sales have risen 60% with product expansion and introduction of dynamic packaging key reasons behind the growth, he claimed.
The online company has added 100 properties to its Caribbean portfolio – in Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Grenadines, Guyana and Martinique – while an expanded range of tours have also been added.
But Read said agents remain slow to boost their commission by ignoring product such as transfers and sightseeing excursions.
“Agents are missing out on a quick and easy way to increase their profit,” he said. “Instead, the sales will go to the overseas supplier. This is a totally unnecessary loss of commission and we are working hard to raise awareness and persuade them to book more of these easy to sell add-ons.”
Report by Steve Jones
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