Custom FIT* tour operator Avanti Destinations has launched a new version of its recently introduced InstaQuote FIT vacation planning app, specifically designed to be white-labeled by advisors and function as a lead generation tool for customized independent vacations in Europe, Asia, South Pacific, Central and South America, North Africa and the Middle East. Avanti sells exclusively through travel advisors, not directly to consumers.
“No one else offers anything like this,” said Nate Guilfoyle, Director of Web Services at Avanti. “We surveyed more than 400 advisors to find out what they needed, and the response so far – it’s been live on a limited basis for six weeks – is enthusiastic.
“It’s especially useful for new advisors who have no existing referral network and for host agencies looking to offer something to their advisors, but it can help any advisor build their business. And it puts the fun back into trip planning for the consumer, who can generate several different possibilities to discuss with their advisor. Consumers cannot customize or book the results – only an advisor can do that on Avanti’s portal after client and advisor connect. We are one of a very small number of tour operators focused on delivering the latest technology tools to help advisors and simplify the process of booking custom FIT vacations”, added Guilfoyle.
The white-label InstaQuote tool, available at https://planyourtraveltoday.com/quote may be customized on the Avanti portal to reflect each agency’s branding and advisor preference. This produces a unique link and QR code that the advisor can email or post on a website or social media page to invite prospects to create their dream vacation. Avanti also provides advisors with a selection of customizable Facebook posts they can use.
No Avanti Branding On InstaQuote Tool – Just the Advisor’s
There is no Avanti branding on the tool; the only name clients see is InstaQuote. Advisors can specify whether and at what point pricing is shown. The tool was designed to give advisors full control of the lead generation process. The InstaQuote tool can display on a mobile phone, tablet, or computer.
An advisor can use the tool, even if they are not yet registered with Avanti. To customize an itinerary or to complete a booking, however, the advisor must register on the Avanti portal.
How It Works
A consumer who clicks on the white-labeled link or QR code selects from either “build your own vacation” or “crafted itinerary”, which is an F.I.T. land package suggested and pre-built by Avanti, complete with popular tours, experiences, and transfers in each destination.
For a crafted itinerary, the user selects a specific country or one of several highlighted packages on the same page. When they select a country, the packages for that country are displayed, including a photo for each. Once a specific itinerary is selected, the user sees another inspirational photo, map and a summary description. The user then provides a name for this particular itinerary (e.g. “Sicily spring 2026”), their name, e-mail address, phone number, arrival date, number of adults and children, type and number of rooms, hotel star rating, and whether they want to add international air. Then they click on “check availability and pricing” and within a few minutes both the consumer and the advisor receive an email, signed by the advisor, that explains that they have prepared the proposed itinerary (accessible from a link) based on the client’s preferences and that it is designed as a starting point which may be modified to better suit the client’s needs. The advisor’s email address and phone number are included on the email.
For a “build your own” vacation, the process is similar, except the user starts by selecting the destinations and the number of days in each, in addition to all the other information. InstaQuote automatically includes popular tours, experiences, and transfers on each “build your own” vacation that a consumer creates.
Customizing either type of InstaQuote proposal – changing the number of days, adding destinations, or modifying included tours and transfers – can only be done by the advisor on Avanti’s portal.
The e-mail to the consumer includes a proposal number which is immediately added to the advisor’s “leads” tab on their workspace on Avanti’s portal. It will be flagged as a new lead. Advisor can later select from several flags indicating status as they work on the lead: “need to follow up”, “waiting for response”, “done”. There is also space for notes. Advisors can share each iteration of the itinerary with their client and control when to add a trip planning fee and trip protection and when to send pricing to the client.
To schedule a demo of InstaQuote, contact websupport@avantidestinations.com or contact an Avanti regional sales director. For information on booking unique experiences and custom-built, complex and multi-destination vacations around the world for FITs/independent travelers, log onto the travel advisor portal https://book.avantidestinations.com or call 1-800-422-5053 to speak with an expert destination specialist.
Since 1981, Avanti Destinations has been selling independent travel products and custom-crafted vacations in 56 countries in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the South Pacific, and Central and South America exclusively through travel advisors. The Portland, Oregon-based custom tour operator offers a wide range of FIT components to travel advisors only, including air, rail, rental cars, hotels, sightseeing/attractions, transfers and hard-to-find experiential travel options. Avanti specializes in hand-picked, locally-owned hotels in both large and small cities and in connecting all the pieces of complex, multi-destination itineraries. The company also creates complete custom packages for groups of 10-plus passengers.
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