TokyoTomo Travel Guide

Air Link Co., a subsidiary of DeNA Co., has tied up with Expedia and started sale of overseas package tours at its website “skygate.” A source of DeNA says this is the first time for Air Link to embark on the online sale of such tours. It renewed the website on May 27 for this purpose and now aims to sell tours worth of two billion yen by March 2010.

Air Link began handling of Dynamic Package in January 2007 at the skygate site. However, the agency learned over time that, in the Japanese market, more people opt for conventional package tours than highly flexible Dynamic Package, so it has made preparations for launching normal package tours since June 2008. By forging partnership with a giant online travel website operator Expedia, it has become possible for Air Link not only to expand the geographical coverage and increase hotel options, but also to offer quality accommodations at less expensive prices. Thus, the agency strives to explore new markets and increase sales.

Visitors to the site are able to check availability of any tours in real time, make reservation thereof, and make payment online. More than 15,000 different tours are in store for the time being, with departures from Narita, Haneda, Chubu, Kansai, and Fukuoka, but the number of destinations and tour courses will be increased in due course. With some tours, it is so designed at the website as to allow customers to specify flights and hotels of their choice. On June 10, a whip pan technology is installed on the site to enable customers to see 360-degree view of hotel rooms. The existing Dynamic Package continues to be handled just as before.

Source: Travel Vision

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