MLT Vacations is trying to beef up business with group bookings on its Delta Vacations and Continental Airlines Vacations brands with Flexible Getaways, a program designed for groups of 10 or more people who need to travel separately or on different dates.
Flexible Getaways enables agents to book groups of 10 or more staying at the same resort, even if some participants need different flights, lengths of stay or are traveling from different cities.
The program quietly launched in October and is now applicable to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Las Vegas and, as of last month, Hawaii.
"Group travel has changed," said Terry Morrison, MLT’s vice president of sales. "In the old days, 40 people would travel together from point A to point B. That’s not what we see in group travel today. More people are spread across the U.S., but they still want to travel and vacation together as a group."
When travelers purchase a Flexible Getaways vacation anytime in 2010, MLT will take $50 off packages that cost $999 to $2,499; $100 off packages that cost $2,500 to $4,999; and $200 off packages that total $5,000 or more. All prices are per booking.
Additionally, MLT is offering agents a $50 rebate per Flexible Getaways booking. Barcelo and Karisma properties have matched that rebate with an additional $50 so that agents get $100 rebates for group bookings at those properties.
To book a group with Flexible Getaways, agents first call MLT for a promotional code for the booking. Using that code, they can book additional group travelers using MLT’s WorldAgent Direct booking site or through MLT’s reservation team.
When entering the code, agents also have the option to enter any special requests, such as for adjacent or nearby rooms, Morrison said.
Agents can also add options such as private transfers or tours, just as they would on a normal Delta or Continental Vacations booking.
The types of groups booking thus far, according to Morrison, have been reunion trips for family or friends.
While MLT is losing a little revenue with its incentive discount for the Flexible Getaways program, Morrison said that the company is seeing the return on its investment, having booked more than $1 million thus far with Flexible Getaways.
Morrison said that more than 100 groups have booked, with an average of 12 passengers per group.
"It’s helping to grow our business this year," Morrison said. With the new Flexible Getaways programs, he added, "We’ve seen significant growth on both [the Delta and Continental brands] this year."
