FORT LAUDERDALE — Fun-and-sun vacation packager Funjet Vacations is moving into the long-haul Asia market, the company said during a Funjet-sponsored agent training session at Travel Weekly’s Home Based Travel Agent Show and Conference.
Patty Blumberg, senior manager of training at Funjet, told the room full of agents that the Asia product was going on sale this week.
Funjet is introducing 58 new destinations in 12 countries: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, according to Michelle Burmeister, marketing and public relations manager at Funjet.
The Milwaukee-based packager currently sells the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe and Central America.
Funjet has contracted with more than 200 hotels throughout Asia, including Asian branded hotels, as well as global hotel brands such as Starwood, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Marriott, the company said.
The Asia product currently can only be booked on www.VAXVacationAccess.com under Funjet Vacations, package type "Asia Air Inclusive Vacations" or "Asia Hotel Only." A full-fledged launch with agent outreach and training will be rolled out in the next few weeks.
The move was prompted by the longer stays, higher price points and value of vacations to Asia, as well as the higher income travelers the destination attracts, Lyndsey North, destination manager for Asia at Funjet, said by phone from Milwaukee.
The move, she said, was intended to "broaden our customer base."