Sunshine Coast-based airline Bonza is expanding its offerings to travellers, today launching tailored package holidays to all of its 21 destinations.
The first phase of Bonza Holidays includes fully packaged flights and accommodation with optional travel insurance.
The 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.
The package holidays will include a 23kg checked bag allowance plus 8kg of hand luggage and seat selection.
The launch of Bonza Holidays comes just a week after the airline added Darwin as its 11th service out of the Sunshine Coast.
Speaking from Daydream Island in the Whitsundays, chief commercial officer Carly Povey said the launch of Bonza Holidays was a significant part of the airline’s long-term strategy to provide value to travellers 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,” she said.
“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.”
The move is expected to bring additional economic benefit to all Bonza destinations, and in Southeast Queensland alone is expected to bring an additional $190 million.
The package holidays can be booked from today via the Fly Bonza app.
Visit Sunshine Coast head of industry and trade development Andrew Fairbairn said Bonza Holidays would open the region up to even more visitors.
“Bonza offers 11 direct routes to the Sunshine Coast, with Darwin being added from November. Most of these are new markets for the Sunshine Coast, which enables us to target a whole new customer base with a rich range of accommodation, attractions and activities,” he said.
“We are talking of well over a million people who previously did not have a direct air service to the Sunshine Coast, and Bonza has very competitive flight deals to attract them. Adding the ability to package flights with accommodation, transfers and activities makes the holiday offer even more appealing.
“In an era of inflation, it gives travellers more certainty over costs as they are able to lock in much of the holiday – from flights to beds – in the one transaction.
“Sunshine Coast tourism operators have already benefited considerably from having Bonza headquartered at Sunshine Coast Airport, and by adding the packaging element to their booking app will mean that even more tourism businesses will want to get involved and participate in such trade opportunities.
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“We are looking forward to adding far more content to the Bonza holiday app as it evolves.
“The Sunshine Coast has an amazingly diverse range of activities that will benefit from being bookable in a one-stop transaction. It could range from horse riding on the beach and guided trekking to cooking classes and food and beverage tours. It is a really exciting time for Sunshine Coast tourism.”
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.
“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,” Ms Povey said.
“The team will seek to work with everyone, from small family-run accommodation businesses 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 today 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 encourages regional dispersal as travellers explore more of their own backyard.”
Bonza Holidays is fully integrated into the airline’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 the app.
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,” Ms Povey said.
“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.”
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