Virgin Vacations has launched a group sales program called Group Therapy.
Virgin Atlantic's vacation brand has had a group sales division for 10 years, but the Group Therapy program is an attempt to make more “noise” in the market about Virgin Vacations’ group offering, according to Nigel Osborne, president of Virgin Vacations.
“We have the buying power and staff who are trained to help build itineraries and give guidance (therapy),” explained Osborne.
In addition to providing destination and group itinerary experts, agents planning group trips will have access to Group Therapy mailers and flyers, a group web page and pre- and post-cruise vacations and shore excursions.
Virgin Vacations has recently appointed a group sales manager, Larry Fannon, a former group tour leader. All groups are quoted net to agents, who then add their own markup.
For every 15 travelers that book with Virgin Vacations, the next one is free.