Orbitz is now using specialists to help online bookers decide where to stay at vacation destinations.
When a customer is browsing vacation packages for certain destinations on Orbitz.com and a specialist is available, a message appears, asking the customer if he or she would like to speak with an Orbitz destination expert. If the customer elects to do so, they enter their phone number and the specialist “immediately calls the customer to answer any questions they may have,” Orbitz said.
Orbitz said each of its specialists has completed training and spent significant time in their select locations.
Destination experts are currently in place for the Hawaiian Islands and Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Cozumel). Orbitz plans to add specialists for Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, the Dominican Republic, Orlando, Miami, the Florida Keys, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Las Vegas, Southern California and Puerto Rico.
"For new visitors to popular places like Orlando, Las Vegas, Hawaii or Cancun, access to a travel expert with local insider knowledge can be invaluable in helping make decisions that will ensure a memorable trip,” said Tom Russell, Orbitz Worldwide’s group vice president of brand marketing.