21/10/2009
A group of tourism operators in Whangarei Heads have bandied together to get behind the brand new online marketplace, Tourism Exchange New Zealand.
Andy & Kay Mears, owners of Flutes luxury accommodation, situated in the winterless Northland region at McLeod Bay, explain why it’s such an attractive proposition: “It has the potential to give us a very effective tool, which will enable us to reduce our costs and introduce a more efficient system – the room management system is what’s most appealing.
“At the moment we’re paying bank fees based on a monthly basis, with the Tourism Exchange system that gets taken out so we only pay a percentage on actual transactions. The BNZ has a small commission but if there’s no transaction, there’s no fee,” explains Andy.
As part of its overall offering Tourism Exchange provides small tourism operators with a cost effective inventory management system that gives operators the ability to transact online, in real-time, and receive payment immediately. This real-time availability is also pushed out to the online and traditional tourism distributors that the operator chooses to sell through. The technology is available to accommodation, tour, attraction and event management businesses.
“It’s a way of simplifying international transactions so customers can book, confirm and pay instantaneously at a time that is convenient to them; it’s instant and removes overnight delays or responses due to different time zones. We don’t see the online marketplace as replacing the personal touch and telephone calls, but rather as complimentary to it,” explains Andy, who championed the Whangarei Heads Tourism brand.
“A group of us have recently established a tourism group and anything that enables us to simplify our business and to concentrate on marketing, must be good news,” says Andy, who considers Whangarei Heads a hidden gem, hence their marketing slogan “naturally superb”.
“Whangarei is a district of fertile farmlands, orchards and forest, plus a stunning harbour and coastline with some of New Zealand's finest beaches,” says Matt Chappell, Tourism Exchange’s North of Auckland regional development manager. “With the help of our online marketplace and the vibrant Whangarei Heads Tourism brand, it won’t be a hidden gem for much longer!”
Media Contact:
Tracey Mehrtens
4pr
Phone: (09) 489 2229
Email: tracey@4pr.co.nz
