Flair Vacations taps IBS Software for hotel supply ahead of November launch

With its vacation packages set to launch in November, Flair Vacations is putting another piece of its business in place.

The newly established vacation division of Flair Airlines has signed a distribution agreement with IBS Software, giving it access to hotel inventory across Mexico and the Caribbean through the travel technology company's iStay Gateway platform.

Announced Thursday (Oct. 15), the partnership will support Flair Vacations' entry into the Canadian vacation package market for the upcoming winter season.

The company plans to offer flight and hotel packages from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton to destinations including Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata and Montego Bay.

Rather than building individual connections with multiple hotel suppliers, Flair Vacations will use iStay Gateway to access an established distribution network already serving other airline vacation brands.

The platform handles hotel rates, availability, bookings and property content through a single technical connection, allowing Flair Vacations to focus on packaging, pricing and selling its products.

Nicole Bursey, president of Flair Vacations, said the partnership will help the company bring its vacation offering to market quickly while allowing room for expansion.

"We are building a vacation business for Canadian travellers who want value without compromise," said Bursey in a statement. 

"Getting to market quickly with the right hotel choice mattered to us, and IBS Software gave us a proven route to that supply."

Steffan Berelowitz, vice-president of hospitality solutions at IBS Software, said access to hotel supply at scale is especially important for a new vacation business.

He said iStay Gateway will provide the connectivity and flexibility needed to expand Flair Vacations' offering as demand grows.

The partnership comes as Flair Vacations prepares to compete in Canada's established vacation package market, using its parent airline's value-focused positioning to offer packages to popular winter sun destinations.

The agreement currently covers hotel connectivity, with both companies planning to review other areas of IBS Software’s iStay portfolio as Flair Vacations expands its destination offering and passenger volumes.

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