Destination Bahamas: A Dedicated “One-Stop Shopping” Service For Travel Professionals and Consumers
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has announced Destination Bahamas, a å“one-stop shoppingå” service for booking trips to The Islands Of The Bahamas. Operated by Paradise Island Vacations, travel professionals who call 1-800-4-BAHAMAS for reservations, and consumers who call 1-800-BAHAMAS for reservations, will be answered by Destination Bahamaså’ trained consultants who will tailor-make a vacation with air, transfers and accommodations. Initially Destination Bahamas will work with properties on Nassau /Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island, but ultimately the service will expand to include the Out Islands as well as the destinationå‘s many activities and attractions. All package bookings are commissionable to travel agents.
The call center is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is currently staffed by 30 Destination Bahamas travel specialists who have access to an intranet site providing them with the most current hotel and destination information including room availability and transportation. The center is equipped to handle some 5,000 calls per day and business hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 8:30pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm EST. Hours have currently been extended to 11:00pm daily in order to support the first quarter activity. The total number of travel specialists will be adjusted according to the call volume. Currently under development is a website link to www.bahamas.com which will enable on-line viewing of package information and booking.
Comments Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, “Destination Bahamas will streamline the process of designing the ideal vacation to our marvelous destination. It provides an enhanced service for our visitors and better serves travel agents, our principle partners, with increased commissionable products.” Vanderpool-Wallace adds, ” The Bahamas will continue to promote its worldwide tour partners vigorously. Their efforts are now complemented by Destination Bahamas allowing us to focus on the range and variety of our products.”
Destination Bahamas will eventually expand its services to include such extras as pre-packaged fast-ferry services to the Out Islands, chartered fishing trips and adventure travel. Now travel agents and consumers can place one telephone call and immediately determine availability, room rates and transportation needs at a choice of international hotel chains, deluxe resorts and charming local guesthouses. It just keeps getting better!
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