Tasmanian Visitor Centre Network 

 Tourism operators must embrace online visitor bookings or miss out on the rewards

 Tourism operators across Tasmania can no longer ignore the obvious benefits of embracing online visitor bookings.

 That statement underpinned the key theme of the Tasmanian Visitor Information Centre Network (TVIN) Conference in Strahan last week, where 17 visitor centre managers from across the State endorsed an overall online ecommerce strategy.

 TVIN member and operator of Devonport Travel Centre, Judy Mooree said part of the group’s strategy was to encourage and support tourism businesses to take up the online bookings system as a matter of urgency.

 Ms Moore said the vast array of efficiencies and benefits for staff and customers able to complete business transactions online, “is simply astounding”.

 “Not only is there a substantial reduction in the time it takes to identify the availability of accommodation and experiences, but the actual booking transaction takes place online and money goes straight into the operators bank,” Ms Moore said.

 “It just doesn’t get any better than that for tourism businesses,” she said.

 “And it means our staff’s time is used more wisely. If businesses have their inventory available online, visitor centre staff can quickly make bookings on the visitor’s behalf without having to make a series of phone calls which may or may not provide a solution.”

 “Less time spent by staff equates to less costs being passed onto our tourism operators.

 “Customers are give immediate options and are left waiting for less time so they’re naturally happier, but also our staff quickly get a view of what’s available at any given time across the entire State.

 “There are no negatives for operators switching to an online booking system”.

 All Tasmanian Visitor Centres have already embraced this new business model, and have, or are in the process of, installing software enabling them to do so.

 Operators who have hesitated to embrace the technology continue to risk limiting the available product Visitor Centres can directly book.

Further information: All Tasmanian Visitor Information Centres; Tourism Tasmania Tas e-Connect  Help Desk 1300 303 259; taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au; http://www.tourismtasmania.com.au/industry/tourism_e-kit .

For further information, contact:

Anne McVilly Hobart Travel Centre                                 6238 4299 Karolyn Lunson Launceston Travel Centre   6336 3133 Judy Moore Devonport Visitor Centre             6424 4466

Roseanne Titcombe – Wynyard Visitor Centre 6443 8331 Melissa Brain – Ross Visitor Centre                    6381 5466 Eva Curtis Southern Reference Group Rep       6254 1212