When you think of booking group travel, destination weddings, MICE and student groups might come to mind. However, you may be overlooking a piece of business that continues to gain traction among advisors: multigenerational families.
These groups may seem smaller than some of the others mentioned, but they tend to add up quickly once you get the ball rolling. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends — they all end up wanting to come along for the adventure. And GroupEase makes it easy to cohesively book these reservations.
The Compass caught up with Mike Ehlers, vice president, groups at ALG Vacations, to learn all about using GroupEase to book multigenerational family groups. Read on to learn more.
Q: For those who may not be familiar, what is GroupEase?
A: GroupEase is ALG Vacations’ flexible group booking program designed to make it easier for advisors to book smaller or more informal groups. Instead of signing a traditional group contract, advisors can simply request a promotional code and apply it to individual reservations in VAX VacationAccess to link those bookings together. This allows advisors to book five or more rooms individually while still taking advantage of group-style benefits and the opportunity to earn concessions. In addition, the GroupEase promo code also contains a discount, up to $225 per reservation, when booking a bonus hotel, or $113 per reservation for non-bonus hotels. The combination of discount and ability to earn group concessions has made GroupEase stand out in the industry. In fact, over 5,000 travel advisors made a GroupEase booking last year. Because the reservations follow standard FIT payment and cancellation policies, GroupEase offers a simple, flexible alternative to contracted groups.
Q: What are the benefits for travel advisors using GroupEase to book multigenerational family travelers?
A: The beauty of GroupEase is the flexibility it offers, which works especially well for multigenerational travelers. These groups often have different needs, budgets and booking timelines, so being able to book each traveler’s reservation individually makes it much easier to manage while still keeping everyone connected as part of one group. That flexibility means family members can travel on different dates, choose different room categories or pay on their own schedule — without the structure of a traditional contract. Advisors can still access exclusive promotional savings through the GroupEase code and may also qualify for added concessions at select hotels.
Q: Are there any benefits for clients booking these types of reservations?
A: Absolutely. GroupEase gives travelers many of the benefits of group travel while still allowing for individual flexibility. Clients can book their own reservations, choose the travel dates or room categories that work best for them and still take advantage of exclusive promotional discounts through the GroupEase code. Some hotels even offer the combinability of multiple hotels within one group, thus affording even more options. Perhaps some of the group may want accommodations on the family friendly side and others want the adult only side while having the ability to spend time between the properties as they wish. Depending on the hotel and the size of the group, travelers may also qualify for added perks like complimentary stays, upgrades or other concessions. For multigenerational trips like family reunions, celebrations or friend getaways, it’s a great option because everyone can travel together while maintaining their plans and preferences on their own.
Q: Who should advisors contact if they have questions during the group booking process?
A: If advisors have questions during the group booking process, ALG Vacations has several support options available. For general group inquiries, advisors can call 1-844-986-1099. For booking assistance, they can reach the service desk at 1-866-ALG-DESK (866-254-3375). For questions related specifically to GroupEase amenities, advisors can also email GroupEase@algvacations.com. Our goal is to make sure advisors have the guidance and support they need every step of the way.
Q: Where can travel advisors go to learn more about GroupEase?
A: Travel advisors can find more information about GroupEase in the Groups section of VAX VacationAccess, where they’ll find program details, resources and guidance on how to get started. Another great resource is the ALGV Education Calendar, which features upcoming webinars and training sessions designed to help advisors deepen their knowledge of group travel programs, including GroupEase. These sessions offer practical tips and insights to help advisors confidently plan and manage group bookings. Advisors can visit algvacations.com/calendar to see upcoming trainings and register.
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