FREE Selling Groups Brochure

FREE 36 page brochure titled “Developing Group Business.” The brochure provides information on how to grow agency revenue by booking groups; how to identify, target and sell to those groups. It is also available in a downloadable file.

We’re seeing a steady, growing trend toward affinity group travel, ranging from organizations and family reunions to common-interest groups. Groups are one of the most effective ways for home-based travel agents to increase their profitability so we created this brochure to help them take advantage of this opportunity.

Holland America has created two other great incentives for booking groups. With the Vacation Stimulus Plan, travel sellers can receive reduced tour conductor credits on select 2009 cruises and with the Double GAP Program, agents double the number of points.

The brochure details Holland America’s Group Advantage Program (GAP) and its pre-packaged culinary, wedding, family reunion and charity group programs. It addresses how to identify potential sources of group business -- including incentive and charter sales -- and book them utilizing Holland America Line’s tour credit, upgrades and promotion tools.

These range from onboard credits and co-op marketing dollars to cruise presentations, direct-mail pieces and customizable email campaigns. GAP amenities include private wine tastings, coffee cards and water sports equipment rentals on Half Moon Cay.

With the Family Reunion GAP Package, the “Head of the Family Reward” adds a complimentary upgrade based on availability from outside to verandah stateroom for the designated leader of the group. In addition, the Wedding GAP Package and Culinary Arts Center Program Culinary Arts Center Program offer custom amenities for affinity markets.

Holland America Line is offering 2010 Double GAP Points, a program that doubles the points for all 2010 groups. There are 14 new amenities added for a total of 50 items on the 2010 GAP Menu. New groups must be registered by Aug. 31 through Polar Online.

For the Vacation Stimulus Plan promotion, several 2009 sailings also offer tour conductor credits at one for 10 guests booked or one for 12 instead of the standard 1 for 15 policy. Almost every cruise destination is represented in these selected departures, including Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada/New England, Europe, South America, Asia and Alaska cruises and cruise-tours.

To download the brochure or order a printed copy, visit www.hollandamerica.com and click on the Travel Agent Headquarters link.