THE regional carrier, BWIA, has officially launched a new hassle-free travel package, `BWEE Travel Solutions', which organises ideal vacations and business trips for customers.

It offers deals for 19 BWIA destinations and is an attractive tool, which has the potential to boost the local tourism sector, Mrs. Dawn Murray, BWIA Area Manager said Thursday.

The package was launched at a simple ceremony attended by representatives of travel agencies, car rental services, hotels and resorts at the BWIA Robb Street, Georgetown office.

Murray said BWIA is the most frequent air service operating in the Caribbean and its staff works very hard at providing great customer service.

With a combination of great airfares, affordable hotel accommodation, air transfer rates and tours, the package is designed to satisfy all customers, including the average person, she said.

Murray added that it covers destinations in the Caribbean including Grenada, Jamaica and Antigua and London, Miami, New York, Washington and Toronto.

Like other BWIA destinations, Guyana's tourism industry will also benefit because the package will be widely advertised and will increase Guyana's tourist inflow.

"If a person wants to take a family tour, honeymoon or attend a religious or business convention, there's something in the package for them", Murray explained.

She noted that it was launched unofficially two months ago and was readily welcomed by customers, including the business community, and travel agencies.

Soon, the BWIA call centre, which complements the `Bwee Travel Solutions' package, will be officially launched, Murray said. The centre will provide flight information and calls will be free of charge.

She urged customers to call 1-800-538-2942 (1-800 Jet BWIA) instead of using the local numbers.

At present, the feature is only available up to 22:00 hrs but it will soon be a round-the-clock service.

Ms. Allison Hackett, BWIA Vacations Service Manager, called the package, which highlights 189 hotels and resorts, `hassle-free'.

"Customers' vacations are pre-paid and pre-planned so it gives them time to get things together and not worry about where they are staying or what they will be doing when they get to that particular destination", Hackett said.

She added that one could create their own package because meals, car rental and ground tours are optional and persons can also access connecting flights to other destinations.

Bookings can be made through BWIA offices and respective travel agencies, Hackett said, noting that enquiries can also be made via the Internet at travel.solutions@bwee.com.

In the BWEE Travel Solutions brochure, rates as low as US$319 for a Barbados to Grenada trip are advertised. This particular package includes return airfare, return airport transfers, seven nights of hotel accommodation and one `spicy' half-day tour.

There is also a US$1,409 deal for persons interested in travelling from Grenada to Guyana.

Ms. Michelle Low, a Connection Travel Service representative said with the package, travel agents no longer have to spend a lot of money and time calling hotels and tour agencies to book and confirm arrangements. - (AMANDA WILSON).