25/05/2009
Interest is high in the newly launched Tourism Exchange, a ‘real time’ booking platform for New Zealand tourism product.
The on-line booking system is a business to business concept that opens up both the national and international market place to New Zealand tourism operators at minimal cost. It is not available to consumers.
“Tourism Exchange presents an opportunity for New Zealand tourism operators to reach a worldwide market - something that they may not afford to do by themselves. Tourism operators include accommodation, tour and attraction operators of all sizes,” says Chris Hunter, Tourism Exchange CEO. “It’s an extremely cost effective option. There is no cost to join the Exchange and suppliers only pay a success fee once the booking is confirmed.
“For ‘Direct to Supplier’ bookings, payment is made to the supplier at the time of booking. There’s no waiting until the end of the month, which is quite appealing in the current economic climate.”
Tourism Exchange officially launched a month ago and is exhibiting for this first time this year at TRENZ.
Tourism Exchange has eight Regional Development Managers that are based around the country and are working to bring tourism product on board. “Interest is very high with managers around the country in the midst of signing up some exciting operators, ranging from boutique lodges, to motorcycle tours and bed & breakfasts, as well as the bigger hotel chains.”
Mr Hunter says it is exciting to be able to offer domestic operators a cost effective window to the global market, especially at a time when new business is not that easy to source.
“Up until Tourism Exchange launched booking New Zealand tourism accommodation, flights, activities and sightseeing has been very fragmented. Tourism Exchange is effectively a one-stop shop with ‘real-time’ availability and pricing, as well as a huge range of products and services.”
Leading Tourism Exchange’s pilot scheme is Mitchell Corp, which represents more than 100 hotels and motels throughout New Zealand and CEO Matt Standing is enthusiastic about what Tourism Exchange has to offer.
Mr Hunter says that Tourism Exchange has been working closely with Mitchell Corp in the build up to its launch and he is looking forward to Mitchell Corp and the hotels and motels it represents in New Zealand benefiting from the Tourism Exchange booking platform.
Air New Zealand is a key Tourism Exchange stakeholder and is also part of the pilot scheme. It is taking Tourism Exchange globally through its retail distribution channels.
