GOGO Vacations Shuts Down

Flight Centre Travel Group, which just today launched a brand new brand for independent travel advisors, has shut down GOGO Vacations, effective immediately. No new bookings will be accepted but all current bookings will be honored and serviced throughout the lifecycle of the booking. There is no need to cancel existing bookings, the company said.

In a letter sent to travel advisors the company wrote, “Today, Flight Centre Travel Group has announced the difficult decision to close GOGO Vacations. GOGO’s wholesale model has struggled in recent years, and it had become increasingly difficult to justify the high cost of maintaining the brand.”

“Effectively, we are playing to our strengths and doubling down in our best performing sectors and where we see exciting future growth potential,” said Flight Centre Travel Group Americas president Charlene Leiss, in a press release announcing the move. “We are also bringing the U.S. business into line with the leisure and corporate structures we have elsewhere in the world.”

Among the changes Flight Centre Travel Group has made in line with its new focus on luxury is bringing Scott Dunn to the U.S. The brand now has an office in New York and recently added two new execs to its U.S. leadership team.

Travel advisors can find an FAQ on the GOGO website with further information.

For instance, FIT bookings that previously did not require a deposit now require a deposit of $100 per adult on all confirmed bookings. The deposit must be applied to all current bookings where no payments have been received no later than March 15. Failure to make a deposit by this date will result in cancellation of the booking.

All FIT bookings can continue to be maintained or canceled in Helio. For additional support, advisors can chat through Helio Knowledge Hub, email onlinesupport@gogowwv.com, or call (888) 567-0600 and select prompt 2.

All Group bookings can continue to be maintained in Softrip. For additional assistance, advisors can call (888) 567-0600 and select prompt 4, or email groupservice@gogowwv.com for maintenance or groupfinalization@gogowwv.com for finalization after final payment.

Advisors do not need to worry about their commissions, the company also said. All commissions will continue to be paid at the time of departure. FIT commissions are paid weekly, and group commissions are paid bi-weekly.

“We are fortunate to have the strong financial backing of Flight Centre Travel Group, and you can rest assured that your existing bookings and commissions are secure. GOGO’s doors will not close until your last customer has returned home, and your commissions have been paid.”

On it’s website, the company also posted a heartfelt message for its travel advisor partners.

“From the entire team at GOGO Vacations, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the travel advisor community and our industry partners for over 70 years of unwavering loyalty. Your partnership and collaboration is deeply appreciated and we wish you much success in your future endeavors!”

GOGO Vacations was founded in 1951, along with retail agency Liberty Travel. Flight Centre purchased both companies in 2007.