HONOLULU Sellactivities.com, a Web site created as a one-stop shop
for travel agents booking activities in Hawaii, is seeing dramatic
increases in its membership this year; and in response, its owners
plan to add more activities and online tools throughout 2003.
On the password-protected, agent-only site, members search and
book activities, tours, attractions and entertainment options, with
commissions ranging from 10 to 25 percent, according to the
provider. There’s no charge to become a member of the program.
Since February, the Web site’s agent membership has increased
from 250 members to 1,000, with weekly bookings up 800 percent
during that same time. “Recently, especially with the war, it’s
become more important for agents to capture new opportunities to
earn commission and increase service to clients,” said Johan
Lundgren, Sellactivities.com owner.
Sellactivities.com began in fall 2001. Lundgren came up with the
idea of an online activity consolidator, as he worked various jobs
in the Hawaii travel industry. “As airline commissions disappeared,
I saw an opportunity for travel agents to earn more commissions
selling activities,” Lundgren said. “I investigated the market
further and realized that if travel agents were to find and contact
all the individual activity providers, it would take so much time
it wouldn’t be worth it. But if they could submit their information
just once, and if they could find and book a variety of activities
in one place, it would be highly profitable to the agent.”
Within each activity category, Sellactivities.com lists several
providers, each with its own rates and commission. This allows
agents to meet their clients’ budgetary needs while searching for
the highest possible commissions, which are paid within 30 days of
the activity date.
Sellactivities.com currently lists over 120 different
activities, and Lundgren hopes to grow that number to 200 within
the next six months. “If travel agents still don’t find what
they’re looking for, they can e-mail us and we’ll help them find
it,” said Lundgren. The site includes activities on all six of
Hawaii’s major islands.
In response to the growing demand, Lundgren said he is always
thinking of ways to improve the site, so that it helps agents as
much as possible. “We’re developing a version where travel agents
can print out a customized brochure strictly for the activities
they think their clients are interested in,” said Lundgren. “We’re
creating an itinerary where the dates for the activities are
flexible, within a certain time frame. And, we’re creating an
affiliate program, so agents can sell activities through their own
Web sites.”
As he refines and improves the site, however, Lundgren will
remain true to his original plan of working only with travel
agents, he said.
Sellactivities.com is currently running a booking incentive for
its members. Throughout 2003, when agents book the same client on
two Oahu activities through the site, the agents receive a $20 gift
certificate to Ala Moana Shopping Center, an open-air mall on the
west end of Waikiki. “We were looking for something that would give
agents additional incentive for pre-booking their clients’
activities,” said Lundgren. “We are currently discussing other
possible value-added promotions with different Hawaii
companies.”
808-593-7947; www.sellactivities.com.