SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Gogo Worldwide Vacations launched its new
Web site with an agent-only booking engine.
Michelle Kassner, senior vice president of marketing, said the
site, www.gogowwv.com, was developed inhouse and is designed for
agents with IATAN numbers.
The company also offers electronic booking through Sabre and
Worldspan.
Kassner told Travel Weekly at the United States Tour Operator
annual conference that Gogo is "bullish" on agencies using
electronic bookings as a means of increasing their business with
Gogo.
She added, however, that the company remains dedicated to also
serving agents through traditional methods, including its 88 sales
offices, which Gogo plans to expand in number.
She said Gogo recently acquired Rothschild Dive Safaris, a New
York-based dive specialist, which it will operate as a separate
company.
In an era of tour operator consolidation, Kassner said Gogo is
looking at growing through acquisitions of specialist and small
niche operators, such as the scuba company.
Another area of expansion will be the development of more
private label programs for airlines, like Gogo's current
partnership with Air France to operate Air France Holidays.
"We have a couple more of those types of deals on the shelf,"
she said.