Aerovista Group launches premium travel division

Plans to develop operations within this segment were initiated by the growing demand within existing customers for luxury travel options as well as the growing desire for highly personalized service, much more than what is being offered in the existing market.

The new department, which includes all leisure travel services (reservations, outgoing and incoming travel), will focus on two kinds of differentiation - 1) product based and 2) service based.

From the product side, VistaPremium Travel Boutique will offer a portfolio of "experiences" rather than destinations. Hence, customers can choose from a selection including Adventure, Wellness, Relaxation, Romance, among many others as experience options following which the luxury account managers would be able to suggest destinations or work on cities preferred by customers.

From the service side, the level of personalization offered follows a simple motto - go to the customer rather than asking the customer to come to you. Luxury account managers have been appointed to meet customers at locations of their choice to discuss travel itineraries. Travel Insurance and Airport Transfers are offered on a complimentary basis for all customers. Apart from this, a list of other improvisations has been designed within the service portfolio.

"The new department is the first of many important changes for the company in 2008. We are analyzing several new business opportunities for the group as well as within the airline and travel divisions. The launch of VistaPremium Travel Boutique is an important step towards realizing our travel subsidiary's goal of emerging as a top quality and innovative travel solutions provider in the region," said Apandi Lakhiyalov, President & CEO, Aerovista Group.

"The travel industry in the Gulf has seen many changes affecting intermediaries such as travel agents. The increasing penetration of the internet, the removal of travel agents' commissions by airlines etc. are some of the developments that have made it increasingly difficult for travel agents to remain competitive. With VistaPremium Travel Boutique, Aerovista Group aims to redefine the role of a travel consultant, hence making the service an indispensable one," stated Ansar Babu, Director - Marketing & Business Development, Aerovista Group.