New look, new layout and new tools set up agents for success.
SEATTLE, WASH. – Travel professionals will now have an easier time becoming Holland America Line experts with the launch of the company’s redesigned PartnerSHIPS travel professional portal at GoHAL.com. Exclusively for the use of travel professionals, the new GoHAL.com is more user-friendly so agents can book, plan, promote and learn everything they need to know to successfully sell Holland America Line cruises and Land+Sea Journeys.
In addition to a navigation toolbar at the top with drop-down menus for each tab, users can scroll to the bottom of the homepage and find quick links to some of the more popular topics. A focal point of the homepage is a larger toolbar prominently featuring three primary areas on the site: POLAR Online, Promo Toolkit and Holland America Line Academy. Travel professionals also can see upcoming events, read the latest e-Newsletter and meet their business development manager on the homepage.
“We sent out a survey to our travel partners earlier this year asking how we can help them grow their business, and one of the top answers was to develop an easy-to-navigate travel professional portal that puts everything at their fingertips,” said Eva Jenner, vice president of sales. “We listened to our travel partners, and I am thrilled to announce that the new portal – GoHAL.com – is finally here.”
Under the navigation toolbar at the top, the “Learn” section features Holland America Line Academy and the Specialist Training Courses that were launched earlier this year, as well as POLAR Online booking tips, FAQs and upcoming events such as seminars, conferences and familiarization trips.
In the “Plan” tab, travel professionals can find all of the collateral they need to plan cruises for their clients including eBrochures, product announcements, a deck plan reference guide, cruise finder, sailing schedule, AFAR Destination Guides and information about life on board, Land+Sea Journeys, Journeys Ashore, family cruising and cruising with children.
The “Promote” tab features a message from Jenner and the latest promotions, as well as templates to create customized advertising and marketing materials such as flyers, banner ads and emails. Site visitors also have access to Holland America Line’s extensive image library so they can use vivid imagery to promote the cruises.
Travel professionals will find additional access to the POLAR Online booking engine in the “Book” tab. Important information about visas and passports, cancellation policies, groups, gift orders, the air program, check-in and Travel Professional Appreciation Fares also are located in this area.
Additional features at GoHAL.com include a “Chat with Us” button that enables travel professionals to communicate online in real time with Holland America Line’s reservations team. For direct contact with Holland America Line’s sales team, the “Contact” tab has information including a departmental breakdown so travel professionals can reach out to the appropriate person.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
