MIAMI -- Varig, the Brazilian airline, introduced the first
private-label vacation package product in its 73-year history.
Varig Travel Vacations includes a range of products from two-day
modular city packages to escorted tours with cultural and
ecological themes. The base commission for the packages is 11%,
with overrides up to 14%, based on volume.
The new product, which will be marketed in the U.S. and Canada,
is designed to beef up Varig's leisure travel business, according
to Ozires Silva, president and chief executive officer of
Varig.
"The American carriers are not promoting Brazil," he said,
"though we promote the U.S."
Varig unveiled the product to travel agents in New York, Miami
and Los Angeles in seminars Oct. 3 to 20, and plans to follow with
an aggressive advertising campaign in the trade press.
Agents can access an Internet booking system called the Remote
Reservations Module (RRM) that facilitates real-time on-line
bookings by e-mailing [email protected].
The on-line bookings pay agents an extra 2% commission. The
packages are being fulfilled by Miami-based tour operator Intervac,
which has been in business since 1984.
Silva said that although business travel to Brazil is now
strong, leisure traffic is minimal, especially from the U.S.
"Eighty percent of bilateral traffic now originates in Brazil," he
said.
American, Continental, Delta and United all fly to Brazil, but
Silva said American clients will find Varig's service more
attentive than what they are used to on American carriers.
The new tour lineup includes a six-day/four-night Fall Special
package to Rio de Janeiro from Miami priced from $609 per person,
double, for travel completed by Dec. 9.
The same package from Los Angeles is $709 per person, double. A
seven-day/five-night package to Rio de Janeiro from New York is
priced from $692 per person, double.
Two-day modular stays in Brazilian cities begin well below $200,
land only. Extensions are available to Chile, Argentina and
Uruguay.
For information call (800) 352-9188. The Web site can be found
at www.varigtravelvacations.com.