MIAMI -- Chilean airline LanChile launched a vacation package
product line that will pay agents 12% commission on air-inclusive
packages and will enable them to assemble custom itineraries from a
wide assortment of elements in six South American countries:
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru.
"We're inviting people to design their own vacations," said
Martin Mosley, LanChile's marketing director for North and Central
America and Asia.
"It's not possible to put all things one can do in a Web site or
brochure."
Adventure -- from soft to "as hard as you want it" -- is
featured strongly, Mosley said.
LanChile Vacations is targeting the mid- to upper-price market,
he added.
"When you give people the ability to customize their packages,
you aren't talking about a mass-market product."
The airline will package the destinations using local ground
operators and do the marketing and product design, but will
outsource the call center and document processing.
"With our 72 years' experience as an airline in the region, we
can put together something that can't be duplicated," said
Mosley.
"Many airlines just take existing packages and put their names
on them. That's not what we're doing. What many airlines sell are
packages. We're selling experiences customized any way you
want."
Flights depart out of 20 U.S. gateways, including daily nonstops
from Miami, New York and Los Angeles.
Mosley said the launch of the product line coincides with an
increase in interest in South America.
"Europe is so over-traveled. People are looking for new, fresh
things."
Mosley said the number of inquiries into South America at trade
shows has exploded.
"In past years, at the Chile booth at the [Incentive Travel
Meetings Executives show], we'd see people chatting, nothing huge,"
he said.
"Last time, our booth was mobbed with people wanting more
information, wanting to get on the mailing list."
The land prices for a package to Chile begin at $508 per person,
double, for a three-night package to $2,900 for a six-night
package.
The reservations number is (877) 219-0345. The Web site is at www.lanchilevacations.com.