Sabre Travel Network launched its newest tool for agents, Sabre Cruises Storefront, an online cruise booking system that agents can integrate onto their own Web sites so their clients can search and book cruises from 13 leading cruise lines.
The new Sabre Cruises Storefront gives clients a way to book online with your agency.
|
The new software gives agents the ability to offer online customers powerful cruise vacation shopping capabilities, including comparison shopping across sailings and multiple search parameters, including the destination, cruise line, cruise ship and date range. The system comes equipped with ship images, profiles, deck plans and cabin configurations. Itinerary details include port names, arrival and departure times, weather, shopping areas, transportation, parking information and videos with 360-degree views. The online tool also displays an agency’s logo and phone number, and agents can use it to cancel or make minor changes to plans secured via Storefront bookings. Back-end business intelligence capabilities are also available through the Agent Booking Center, including tracking of cruise customers and reports related to customer activity.
Sabre Cruises Storefront is now available to all travel professionals in North America, including those who are not Sabre subscribers, through SabreCruises.com.
www.sabretravelnetwork.com
TripBlip Goes Mobile
TripBlip, a smart travel messenger that acts as a personal vacation deal finder for agents and their clients, is expanding the ways agents can communicate with their customers. The new TripBlip Web Edition allows agents to automatically notify their clients about vacation deals and packages via personal computer, cell phone or hand-held device through the use of instant messages, SMS text messages, RSS feeds and e-mails, as well as the TripBlip desktop tool. Passport Online, the developer of TripBlip, has also introduced a complete series of customizable TripBlip marketing materials to further simplify agent communications with their customers. All participating NexCite or VacationPort travel agencies can introduce and promote TripBlip to their customers.
www.passportonlineinc.com/tripblip/tb.html
Southwest Introduces New Agent Web Page
Southwest Airlines Vacations launched a new Web page geared specifically toward travel agents. The page helps agents register for VAX VacationAccess Worldwide, so they can easily view and book Southwest Airlines Vacations packages for their customers. Southwest Airlines Vacations offers packages to more than 50 destinations with flight service available from every scheduled Southwest Airlines departure city. Southwest Airlines Vacations is located in Orlando, Fla., and is operated by The Mark Travel Corporation.
www.southwestvacations.com/travel-agent.asp
AAA Launches Insider Travel Blog
The American Automobile Association (AAA) recently introduced a new travel blog, AAATravelViews.com, an interactive forum where visitors can find travel stories and photos, tips and information, industry news and other insights from AAA insiders. Contributors to the site include the editors who create AAA TourBook information, inspectors who evaluate lodgings and restaurants, AAA travel agents and travel industry research professionals. Visitors can submit comments, pose questions and vote in weekly polls. The blog also provides convenient links back to AAA.com resources including the TripTik Travel Planner for maps and AAA recommendations; special travel packages; member deals; travel bookings at discount rates; AAA-Diamond ratings for hotels and restaurants; and traveler reviews.
www.aaatravelviews.com
Choice Hotels Initiates iPhone App
Choice Hotels International has recently introduced its official iPhone application, becoming the first lodging company with a global iPhone App. The free application lets travelers find hotels from a database of more than 5,800 properties worldwide, across all 10 Choice brands. Thanks to GPS technology, tech-savvy travelers can tailor information to their current location. The application lets users spot and book nearby properties, view hotels by city, zip code, airport code or popular attractions, pinpoint hotels on a map, get door-to-door directions, obtain real-time booking information and access Choice Privilege accounts and redeem points.
www.choicehotels.com
Web Exclusive
For the top 10 travel technology trends of ’09, visit TravelAgeWest.com/Research
