FAQs
Answers to your questions
How does the Tourism Exchange differ from the distributors it supports?
The Tourism Exchange is a neutral market place that supports suppliers and distributors to overcome the technology challenges faced when doing business. Imagine something like the telephone exchange combined with a tourism expo. One that’s online and open all day, every day. It is a common, neutral marketplace connecting New Zealand-based tourism providers with national and global distributors.
We specialise in integrating the reservations management systems of suppliers, and enabling distributors to 'window in' and book inventory, all in real time. The distributors (both online and traditional) contract via the Tourism Exchange, then sell New Zealand-based inventory to their customers. We enable distributors to do business with New Zealand tourism suppliers quickly and simply.
Isn’t this just another booking website?
No. The Tourism Exchange is a whole new facility for the tourism industry. It is a business-to-business exchange. It is not for consumers. We do not, and will not ever have a direct-to-consumer booking engine.
Will the Exchange provide access to small, niche suppliers?
Absolutely. Tourism Exchange is designed to give distributors access to all New Zealand tourism services, from the smallest B&B to the largest hotels. For distributors outside New Zealand, it has often been difficult to source and book quality boutique tourism experiences and accommodation. Tourism Exchange will make it easy for distributors to find and book with these suppliers.
What about large operators? Don’t they already have their distribution channels in place?
Those channels don’t have to change. The Tourism Exchange can simply centralise the channel access.
What if I already operate a booking website for consumers?
Tourism Exchange is simply a central place on the internet where all the industry participants can trade with each other. It isn’t a booking website. Or a booking engine. It’s not a channel manager or an allocation management system. But it deals with all these tools of the industry. So even if you’re already running a booking website or have agreements with certain suppliers, you can carry on with these as well as contracting new suppliers through the Exchange. You may even find it more efficient to manage existing supplier relationships via Tourism Exchange.
What do I do about the contract and allocation arrangements I already have in place?
You can carry on with those. But with the real-time system on the Tourism Exchange, allocations can become a thing of the past. You’ll be able to offer all bookable inventory available from every supplier you list. As rooms are booked, the information is transmitted through the Exchange and the new availability is automatically updated to all distribution sites where the supplier is listed.
What are the other benefits of accessing real-time inventory?
With live inventory, your customers can enjoy instant confirmation on their bookings. Allocation management can also be a thing of the past. That means less administration with managing hand backs and rooms on request.
What happens to preferential pricing agreements I have with suppliers?
If you have special contracted rates with a supplier, then you can continue on with these. The Tourism Exchange allows suppliers to load a range of rates and seasons against their inventory. These can include wholesale, retail, last minute and even special promotional rates for their services.
How do I get access to new suppliers through the Tourism Exchange?
Suppliers have the ability to see every distributor on the Tourism Exchange. They can read a distributor profile which you will set up, and choose to agree to the terms of trade that you set. These include commission you expect to earn on sales, and payment terms. By having competitive trading terms, a strong distribution brand and a well crafted profile, you can maximise your chances of securing an extensive supplier base.
What if there are suppliers that I do not want to promote through my sales channels?
As a distributor, you also have the ability to block suppliers from being distributed through your channels.
How will suppliers without a live booking system function on the Exchange?
The main reservation and booking management systems in New Zealand are being progressively connected directly to the Tourism Exchange. Suppliers using a system that’s already direct connected simply activate their Participation Agreement. They then carry on using their existing system which will automatically update their inventory on the Exchange.
Suppliers who don’t have a reservation management system can arrange to install a system that is connected to the Tourism Exchange, called Eviivo Frontdesk. It’s easy, affordable, and fully integrated with the Exchange.
