Classic is growing its luxury home
business,
such as this one at Kapalua Resort, Maui.
Hawaii wholesalers have plenty to pitch during the coming year, and
savvy travel agents are keeping tabs on their promotions and
packages. Following are a few of the latest deals for clients and
incentives for agents.
Save on Air
Pleasant Holidays is encouraging summer travel by reducing the
cost of air travel to Honolulu from June 15-Aug. 17. When clients
fly on select United Airlines flights from Los Angeles or San
Francisco during that period, they can save up to $100 per
person.
For travelers heading to Kauai, Pleasant is providing savings of
up to $165 per couple at the Hilton Kauai Beach Resort (through
Dec. 22).
For lovers of the Royal Hawaiian Waikiki’s classic pink hotel,
which will close for restoration during the second half of 2008
Pleasant is pitching a four-night promotion good on visits through
May 31 that comes with daily breakfast, a Royal memento and
return-visit certificate.
Throughout the year, clients traveling with Pleasant can try its
value-added Aloha Diners Club program, updated for 2008 to feature
some 70 Hawaii dining establishments. Each time clients use the
program’s new Platinum Cash card, they get a rebate of up to 15
percent, increasing the balance on the card.
800-448-3333
wwwww.pleasantagent.com
Hotel Packages
All About Hawaii is helping agents earn extra commission, cash and
prizes for Hawaii bookings with a variety of spring incentives.
For instance, agents booking their clients for at least three
nights at the Keauhou Beach Resort get a $50 bonus. A similar deal
from Starwood rewards agents with $15, and from the Royal Hawaiian,
$20. Client perks include free nights, complimentary amenities and
car upgrades.
For 2008, All About Hawaii has added Alaska Airlines, which now
offers nonstop service from Seattle to Honolulu and Kauai. Another
airline partner, Delta, is adding service from Los Angeles to the
Big Island and Kauai starting June 5.
The company’s initiative with Outrigger and Ohana hotels
provides air travel, five days’ use of a rental car, five nights’
accommodations and a two-for-one motorcoach tour (from $841 per
person, based on double occupancy).
A comparable promotion with Hyatt starts at $1,245 per person
for six nights.
800-274-8687
www.allabouthawaii.com
Client Concierge Service
Classic Vacations continues to offer its concierge desk, which
makes recommendations and reservations for restaurants, golf, spas,
private tours and other activities.
The Classic concierge team also develops and manages a number of
customized additions to luxury trips. Last holiday season it
delivered a 10-foot Christmas tree to a hotel suite on Kauai,
complete with lights and ornaments.
Meanwhile, Classic is expanding its collection of private homes
and villas with up to five bedrooms and 9,000 square feet of living
space, including three new homes in the Pineapple Hills Estates in
Kapalua, Maui.
Classic’s Hertz VIP service has been enhanced for 2008 with two
new benefits: hotel delivery and valet return. All Classic Hawaii
travelers continue to benefit from pre-registration and express
check-in, bypassing lines entirely.
800-221-3949
www.classicvacations.com/travelagent
Geared to Groups
In response to the growing trend of multigenerational and group
travel, Apple Vacations launched its Hawaii Small Groups program in
2007.
Starting at just five rooms, Apple provides upgrades, extra
amenities and special attention for family trips, class reunions,
girlfriend getaways, destination weddings and other intimate
gatherings.
Apple’s newest Hawaii pitch focuses on educational travel and
the enjoyment of the destination’s natural environments. For
example, clients looking for a Big Island vacation can book the
Kona Complete Tour, an exclusive eco-adventure program enhancing an
itinerary with three outings: Hawaii Forest and Trail’s Hualalai
Holoholo Pinztrek Adventure; the Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii,
including a planetarium show; and lunch at Hawaii Volcanoes
National Park. The add-on cost for the Kona Complete Tour is $139
per person.
800-365-2775
www.myappleonline.com
