Earlier this fall, Explora Journeys, MSC Group’s luxury lifestyle brand, partnered with Approach Guides to release a variety of “Explora Journeys Content Experiences,” co-branded websites that act as a powerful marketing tool for travel advisors.
About Explora Journeys’ Co-Branded Websites
Wondering how it works? Upon signing up for the free service, advisors can choose from a variety of content experiences — “Discover the Ocean State of Mind in the Caribbean,” “Introducing the World’s Most Unique Boutique Resort,” “Limited Time Offer - Up to 50% Value Savings” and “The Explora Journeys Experience” are all listed now. Then, after selecting their content experience of choice, travel pros are prompted to enter their details — name, phone number, logo, personal photo, etc. — which are automatically applied to a pre-created template featuring exclusive promotional material from Explora Journeys. Once their content journey is ready to go, advisors can share their co-branded website with their clients. Best of all, travel pros are notified of any indications of interest, allowing them to follow up with potential travelers immediately.
To get more insight into the new tool and the inspiration behind it, we chatted with Chris Austin, chief sales officer for Explora Journeys. “Our travel advisors are at the forefront of our B2B2C strategy, and we have created a bold portfolio of policies, programs and tools to support them,” Austin said. “In the same way that we want to instill an ‘Ocean State of Mind’ for each of our guests on their journeys, we also want to provide a seamless process for travel advisors to efficiently collaborate with travelers. Our new co-branded website, in collaboration with Approach Guides, delivers this by providing partners a dynamic conversion tool where leads are funneled directly to the travel advisor through a personal website.”
Adding to Austin’s comments, Jennifer Raezer, founder and chief marketing officer for Approach Guides said this about the co-branded websites. “Despite being the most important channel for most suppliers, travel advisors have historically lacked cutting-edge technologies to support their marketing and sales efforts. This new co-branding solution has the potential to revolutionize how advisors do business — in many respects, it feels ‘like magic,’ upending the time-consuming asset-based marketing model and powering more personal, efficient client interactions.”
Other Ways Explora Journeys Supports Advisors
Curious to learn more about how the popular brand supports advisors, we asked Austin to expand on the ways Explora Journeys fosters travel pros’ success. Here are six things he called out:
- No NCFs: “ Designed through the art of listening, Explora Journeys offers our U.S. travel advisors very healthy commissions, with no NCFs (Non-Commissionable Fares), the industry’s first Rolling Commission Payment Program whereby travel advisors can earn commission now on the receipt of deposit funds or when a guest pays in full.”
- Commissionable Add-Ons: “All add-ons booked by our travel advisors are commissionable, and we offer trouble-free move policies and name changes.”
- Online Resources: “Travel advisors can find all the information they require including a Knowledge Suite for online learning, Marketing Suite to access all our digital assets, Headlines for news and updates, a Booking Suite, and Performance Suite, all of which is underpinned by our extremely generous and flexible commercial terms.”
- Special Benefits: “New advisors making their first booking with Explora Journeys by December 31, 2023, will become recognized as a ‘Pioneer’ of the brand. Pioneers are rewarded with a portfolio of benefits including experiencing EXPLORA I on a journey prior to May 2024.”
- Experiencing the Brand: “Travel advisors interested in experiencing an Explora Journey firsthand should visit explorajourneys.com/traveladvisors.”
- Knowledgeable Support: “I am also proud of the team we are building in the U.S. to support this very important market. We recently welcomed two new Business Relationship Leads for National and Key Accounts in the U.S. East and West, in addition to other valuable key players. All our U.S.-based team members share in their commitment to the travel advisor community, are professional consultative sellers and (are) passionate about the brand.”
A Final Word
To wrap up our conversation, we asked Austin and Raezer if there was anything else they wanted advisors to know about Explora Journeys or the new marketing tool. Here’s what they said. “Be sure to continuously monitor our WAVE promotions for valuable updates. Seize the opportunity to secure bookings for your clients now,” said Austin. “EXPLORA I is currently navigating the Caribbean, followed by an enticing Panama Canal voyage, then moving along the West Coast of the U.S. and Hawaii. Looking ahead, EXPLORA I is set to venture into the Mediterranean for the summer of 2024, and her sister ship, EXPLORA II, will join her. Exciting new journeys are in store, extending through 2026.”
As for the co-branded websites, “The service is designed from the ground up to help advisors grow their businesses,” said Raezer. “It’s free, easy to sign up and even easier to use. Give it a try!”
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