Bonza spreads its wings to offer tailored package holidays to all of its 21 destinations
Posted on September 26th, 2023
- Bonza Holidays to all 21 destinations1 now available to book on the app
- Tailored holiday packages a key part of Bonza’s long-term vision and strategy to provide true value for Aussie travellers across their entire travel experience
- Economic benefits expected for regional Australian destinations across Bonza’s current and future network- initially estimated $190 million p.a. boost for SE Queensland alone3
- Phase one, launched this week, includes fully packaged flights, accommodation and insurance with car hire and activities to be added next year
- Bonza Holidays is fully integrated into the airline’s existing app and powered by Melbourne based travel-tech start up Awai – another show of support for local businesses
Australia’s newest low-cost carrier has launched a major new offering ‘Bonza Holidays’. Aussies can book tailored packaged holidays via the Fly Bonza app to any one of its 21 destinations – all of which are regional with the exception of Melbourne and Darwin. The move is expected to bring additional economic benefit to all Bonza destinations and in SE Queensland alone is expected to bring an additional $190 million to the state economy.
Launched during school holidays from the Whitsundays, the first phase of Bonza Holidays includes fully packaged flights and accommodation with optional travel insurance. A second phase will launch next year and include car hire, activities, attractions and tours in what will be a further boost to the domestic tourism market.
Described as a “game changer” by leaders in the tourism industry, Bonza’s unique offering will see them include a 23kg checked bag, 8kg hand luggage and seat selection included in every package. In a bid to stay true to their promise of great value, Bonza will also offer a price match guarantee by refunding the difference if a customer finds the same holiday cheaper elsewhere within 24 hours of booking.
Speaking from Daydream Island in the Whitsundays, Bonza’s Chief Commercial Officer Carly Povey says the launch of Bonza Holidays is a significant part of the airline’s long-term strategy to provide value across the travel experience and deliver long term economic benefit for the regions.
“Bonza Holidays has always been part of our broader vision and follows best practice of low-cost carriers internationally, many of whom the team have had the pleasure to work for. Every single destination on Bonza’s route map will be included as we continue to fulfil our mission of making it easier for Aussies to explore more of their own backyard without it costing a packet. By doing so, we will bring more economic benefit to the regions we fly to,” she said.
“Just like our all Aussie menu has delivered opportunities for food and drink providers, most of whom are small to medium businesses, Bonza Holidays isn’t just about the big chains that travellers love to stay at, it is about choice for all and value whatever your budget, the team will seek to work with everyone from small family run accommodation business to holiday parks through to large hotel chains in a move that recognises the accommodation landscape in regional Australia.
“What you see on the app is just the beginning. We’ll be adding more choices for where to stay in all 21 destinations and next year, we’ll be calling on attractions and tour operators to package their experiences. The second phase will also include car hire which encourage regional dispersal as travellers explore more of their own backyard.”
Bonza Holidays is fully integrated into the low-cost carrier’s existing app which has been downloaded by more than 1.26 million Australians so far. After a competitive tender process, Bonza selected Melbourne based travel-tech start up Awai to deliver the package holiday strategy through its app. The two like minded Aussie start-ups are passionate about the role technology can play in opening up Australian travel and connecting more communities.
With a focus on dynamic travel technology, Awai’s platform leverages real-time pricing with more than 500 million offers updated every few hours. It also provides AI-driven responses for customer travel planning queries through its natural language interface.
“Our partnership with Awai will see two Aussie start-ups work together in revolutionising the way Australians view, book and enjoy package holidays. We were impressed with Awai’s tech capabilities and our shared vision to simplify planning and booking holidays for Aussie travellers. This partnership further cements Bonza’s commitment to technology and supporting local,” said Povey.
To book a Bonza holiday, travellers will need to download the latest version of the Fly Bonza app and in the first menu select ‘book a holiday’ from the homescreen.
Bonza is Australia’s new and only independent low-cost airline enabling Australians to explore more of their own backyard for less. Bonza’s current route map includes 3 bases and 38 routes to 21 destinations with a focus on the unserved and underserved markets. Bonza is the first airline globally to take an app first approach with the only place to book direct being the FlyBonza App. The airline was also the first globally to introduce a gender-neutral ‘wear it your way’ uniform including custom Bonza sneakers. Bonza’s all Aussie menu is the first onboard menu to be 100% sourced locally and is ordered on-demand from the Fly Bonza app meaning there are no trolleys to be seen onboard.
