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 BookIt Newsletter - March 2009
Posted By: Ryan Baker On: 30 Mar 2009 04:22 PM
Details BookIt Newsletter - March 2009


BookIt Newsletter - March 2009

                       

In this Newsletter:


BookIt named finalist in NZ hi-tech awards
The team at BookIt are stoked to have been named as a finalist in the IRL Emerging Company category of the PricewaterhouseCoopers New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards. The finalists were announced last night at simultaneous functions held in Auckland and Christchurch. We attended the Christchurch event and had an excellent night meeting a number of the sponsors, organisers, judges and fellow entrants.



The PwC NZ Hi-Tech Awards is dedicated to recognising excellence and success and is the only Awards programme to fully focus on New Zealand's software, electronics, biotechnology, telecommunications and creative technology industries. This year's awards saw a record number of entries, 160 in total. Winners of the awards in each category will be announced at a black-tie, Gala event to be held in Christchurch on the 1st of May.

For more information visit www.hitech.org.nz.

 



WellingtonNZ.com take online bookings to a new level
With an ongoing focus to both market and sell New Zealand's ultimate urban destination online, Positively Wellington Tourism recently launched new booking capability on the WellingtonNZ.com website using the BookIt system. This allows visitors to easily compare a range of instantly bookable accommodation and activities, including up-to-the-minute rates and availability.

Jamie Crump, New Zealand Marketing Manager at Positively Wellington Tourism, explains: "In addition to providing a significantly improved booking experience for visitors, the BookIt system includes a user-friendly back-end for our tour, attraction and hotel partners to manage inventory and bookings. Using BookIt we are also able to offer prompt and flexible payment terms to our suppliers. The feedback so far has been excellent."

In the first month since going live with BookIt, Positively Wellington Tourism has seen a 20% increase in booking numbers when compared to their previous booking function.

"The setup for our website couldn't have been easier and the results speak for themselves. The admin tools in BookIt are so easy to use and we now have access to lots of reports to monitor results and use. We are already working on some exciting new ideas for the booking features on our website." explains Megan Leith, Online Development Coordinator at Positively Wellington Tourism.

An important feature for Positively Wellington Tourism was BookIt's integration with various channel managers. The booking functions - including calendars of live rates and availability - are all fully integrated into WellingtonNZ.com using web services. Within 10 minutes of launch, operators were receiving bookings and in the first few weeks 91% of all bookings had been confirmed instantly.

We are looking forward to working with the team at Positively Wellington Tourism to build on this great start.
 

Winter bookings kicking in early this year
So much for the shoulder season! This year we have seen early winter sales with the average lead time for bookings in March 2009 of 34.04 days, compared to 26.05 days for March 2008. Many of our Winter focussed operators have recognised this and are enjoying early sales this year via online bookings.

These figures may be a result of the "What's On" campaign which has been run in Australia by Tourism New Zealand with the help of $2.5m in additional government funding. Checking the numbers we can see that the number of Australians booking in March this year has doubled when compared to the same time in 2008!

We encourage our winter-centric operators to take advantage of this by making sure all of your 2009 products and promotions are up and running as quickly as possible this year, if they are not already! If you would like any assistance from the team at BookIt to setup promotions or packages with other operators, simply contact us and we'll be happy to help!


 



 

Enhancements to the BookIt system
Check out some of the recent enhancements to the BookIt system.
  • Improved sales report. The sales report now includes much more detailed sales and demographic data to give you a snapshot of sales and booking trends.
  • We've overhauled the inventory manager calendar. We're sure suppliers will be enjoying the new and improved inventory manager calendar. Easily block out a range of dates, run specials or manage allocations using the new inventory manager.
  • Promotion codes. Want to run a closed promotion with a code that you give to selected customers? No problem! Discounts can either be fixed dollar amount or a percentage off the retail price.
  • Speeeeeeed. We've added a brand new server and conducted a full audit of the system and database to improve speed in a number of areas. The adjective "fast" is used by a lot of customers in their feedback, so we know it is important to them.
  • Security and fraud prevention. In honour of Fraud Awareness week, earlier this month we conducted a review of our fraud detection and prevention capabilities. We have implemented a number of new features to detect fraud early and prevent misuse of credit cards.




We love hearing from customers...

When a customer uses BookIt to make a booking, we invite them to give us their feedback on a) the product that they booked and b) the booking system itself. We receive a response rate of over 20% for these customer reviews. Remember, if you are an operator and you receive a positive feedback review from a customer via BookIt, you can "publish" this feedback and have it displaying against your listing.

"Booking via the website was great. It was easy to book - with great links to different room types which made it easier to book the room type that suited the family type. The confirmation e-mails provided an easy to use voucher which made our checking in time minimal which meant we could spend more time enjoying our hotel and the surrounds. I was impressed by the website (I actually found it to be one of the easiest one's I have ever used). It was also very safe. I felt totally at ease booking my accommodation through the BookIt system as it provided peace of mind, knowing that I would have no trouble with my booking when I arrived. Overall I was extremely impressed and would definitely use this when I book my next holiday!."

- ROCHELLE H (16 Feb 2009)

 


New members

Reseller spotlight: TouchNZ provide information kiosks in high traffic locations around New Zealand. Utilising BookIt's reseller API, the kiosks now allow customers to book iconic activities and attractions throughout the country. You can read more about this partnership in the press release from TouchNZ on our blog.

Since our last newsletter, we have welcomed on board over 200 new operators!

151 The Spur Bed and BreakfastBed & BreakfastChristchurch
2 Acres @ WharetutuBoutique HotelNelson
23 Hepburn - PonsonbyBoutique HotelAuckland
298 Westside Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Aarangi Tui MotelMotelPaihia
Abel Tasman HotelHotelWellington
Abode on Courtenay Motor InnMotelNew Plymouth
Absolute Lake View MotelMotelTaupo
Acacia Cliffs LodgeLodgeTaupo
Acacia Park MotelMotelWanganui
Accolades Boutique HotelBoutique HotelRotorua
Admiralty Lodge MotelMotelWhitianga
Adventure Plus ParaglidingParaglidingNSW
Adventure Safari LtdSingle Day ToursWellington
Air FiordlandAirQueenstown
Air SafarisFlightseeingTekapo
Airport Birches MotelMotelChristchurch
Airways MotelMotelChristchurch
Alan's 4WD & Argo Tours4WD AdventureMount Cook
All Seasons Holiday ParkHoliday ParksRotorua
Amber Lodge MotelMotelQueenstown
Amuri EstateBed & BreakfastHanmer Springs
Amuri House Boutique AccommodationBed & BreakfastHanmer Springs
Arches AccommodationBed & BreakfastWhangarei
Archway Motels, Chalets and ApartmentsMotelWanaka
Arthurs Court Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Ash Grove MotelMotelPaihia
Ashburton District TourismONLINE RE-SELLERSAshburton
ASURE Southern Cross HotelHotelHamilton
Auckland Number One House B & BBed & BreakfastAuckland
Australia ZooZoosSunshine Coast
Avalon ResortApartmentKerikeri
AwesomeNZBoat CruisesPaihia
Aywon MotelMotelRotorua
Azur LodgeLodgeQueenstown
bayofislands.netONLINE RE-SELLERSPaihia
Baysail CruisesSailingVictoria
BeachfrontApartmentFar North
Bella Vista Motel - ChristchurchMotelChristchurch
Bella Vista Motel - HamiltonMotelHamilton
Bella Vista Motel HokitikaMotelHokitika
Best Western Camelot Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Best Western Cranbury CourtApartmentQueenstown
BKs Pioneer Motor LodgeMotelAuckland
Blacksmiths Motor InnMotelMasterton
Body Electric Segway ToursToursWellington
Bolton HotelHotelWellington
Brick House Bed and BreakfastBed & BreakfastWellington
Britz Rental CarsRental CarNationwide
Bronte LodgeLodgeNelson
Byron Bay GlidingGlidingByron Bay
Casino Court Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Cathedral Peaks B&BBed & BreakfastManapouri
Cedar Motor LodgeMotelTimaru
Central ApartmentsApartmentMt Hutt/Methven
Central Apartment HotelHotelWellington
Central Ridge Boutique HotelBoutique HotelQueenstown
Central Stratford Apartment HotelApartmentWellington
Central Terrace Heights ApartmentsApartmentWellington
Challenge RaftingRaftingQueenstown
Chapel Hill B&BBed & BreakfastGreymouth
Charming Creek B&BBed & BreakfastBuller
Cholmondeley Manor Bed and BreakfastBed & BreakfastWhitianga
Christchurch Wildlife CruisesBoat CruisesAkaroa
Chyreen Bed and BreakfastBed & BreakfastNapier
City Central Motel ApartmentsMotelChristchurch
Cloud 9 Balloon FlightsHot Air BallooningNSW
Copthorne HokiangaHotelHokianga
Copthorne Hotel Marlb.HotelBlenheim
Discover New ZealandMulti Day ToursNationwide
Dorset ApartmentsApartmentChristchurch
Downtown Backpackers WellingtonBack PackerWellington
Duxton Hotel WellingtonHotelWellington
Dyers HouseBed & BreakfastChristchurch
East West Boutique ApartmentsApartmentRotorua
Eco RaftingRaftingFranz Josef
Elan Mens Hair and BodyRelaxation/PamperBrisbane
Ellerslie International Flower ShowGardensChristchurch
Extreme DrivingDriving AdventuresNSW
Fernz Lodge and Conference CentreMotelNorth Shore
Fine AccommodationBed & BreakfastQueenstown
Fitzherbert Castle MotelMotelPalmerston North
Flat Earth New Zealand ExperiencesToursWellington
Fleur De Lys AccommodationApartmentChristchurch
Trailblazer Riverbed Run 4x4Quad BikingFranz Josef
Franz Josef Heli-RaftingRaftingFranz Josef
Garvan HotelBoutique HotelNorth Catlins
Glenfern VillasApartmentFranz Josef
Golden Rock AdventuresClimbingMotueka
Great Sights Bay of IslandsBoat CruisesPaihia
Gt Radial Tyres4uDriving AdventuresPukekohe
Haast World Heritage HotelHotelHaast
Hammonds Scenic ToursSingle Day ToursWellington
Hare Hill GolfSingle Day ToursDunedin
Heliview TaranakiFlightseeingNew Plymouth
Heritage Highway MotelMotelHokitika
High Country Lodge and BackpackersBack PackerTwizel
Hikurangi Lodge QueenstownBed & BreakfastQueenstown
Hokitika Heli-RaftingRaftingHokitika
Holiday Inn WellingtonHotelWellington
Homestay at Evans BayBed & BreakfastWellington
Hotel SoHotelChristchurch
Hoyts CinemasActivity PassAuckland
Huntington StablesApartmentCambridge
Ibis WellingtonHotelWellington
InterContinental WellingtonHotelWellington
Ipipiri LodgeLodgeKerikeri
Jasmine Court - Travellers' InnMotelPicton
Jika International MotelMotelMelbourne
Kauri Park MotelMotelKerikeri
Kawarau JetJet BoatingQueenstown
Kayak MelbourneCanoeing & KayakingMelbourne
Kea West Coast ToursToursGreymouth
Kerikeri Farm HostelBack PackerBay of Islands
Kincaid LodgeBoutique HotelKaikoura
Kingsgate Hotel WellingtonHotelWellington
Kingsgate the Avenue, WanganuiHotelWanganui
Knightsbridge Court Motor LodgeMotelBlenheim
Koura LodgeBed & BreakfastRotorua
Kowhai House - Lodge and BackpackersBack PackerMt Hutt/Methven
Kuirau LodgeLodgeRotorua
Kulnine HomesteadHomesteadBlenheim
Lake Matheson MotelsMotelFox Glacier
Lake Wanaka LodgeLodgeWanaka
LivingSpace ChristchurchHotelChristchurch
Llama LookoutApartmentChristchurch
Lodge 199LodgeRotorua
Long Island ToursFishingHavelock North
Mahia Park LodgeLodgeManukau
Mainly Tramping WanakaWalking & TrekkingWanaka
Maison GrangeLodgeBlenheim
Manata Lodge ApartmentsApartmentQueenstown
MangoFusion LimitedONLINE RE-SELLERSChristchurch
Mangonui MotelMotelMangonui
Marchmont Gardens B & BBed & BreakfastHanmer Springs
Mercure WellingtonHotelWellington
Mercure Wellington Willis StreetHotelWellington
Milford Sound Scenic FlightsFlightseeingQueenstown
Morrinsville MotelMotelWaikato
Mount Cook Ski Planes / HelicoptersFlightseeingMount Cook
Mount Richmond HotelHotelAuckland
Murrells Grand View HouseBed & BreakfastManapouri
New Zealand on the Web (nz.com)ONLINE RE-SELLERSNationwide
New Zealand Rent A CarRental CarChristchurch
Novotel WellingtonHotelWellington
Oblique Hair SpaRelaxation/PamperNorth Shore
Old Saint Mary's ConventBed & BreakfastBlenheim
Palazzo Motor LodgeMotelNelson
Palms MotelMotelNelson
Pauls Xtreme SkydivingSky DivingCairns
Pelorus LodgeLodgeMarlb. Sounds
Peppers Spicers Peak LodgeHotelQueensland
Phillip Island HelicoptersFlightseeingVictoria
Pisa Range Lake ResortResortCromwell
Pohutu LodgeMotelRotorua
Point View LodgeLodgeTaupo
Positively Wellington TourismONLINE RE-SELLERSWellington
Powderhouse Country LodgeLodgeMt Hutt/Methven
ProformanceDriving AdventuresPerth
Quality Hotel WellingtonHotelWellington
Queenstown CombosMiscellaneousQueenstown
Queenstown Park HotelHotelQueenstown
Quest on JohnstonApartmentWellington
Quest on The TerraceApartmentWellington
Quickenberry LodgeLodgeMt Hutt/Methven
RENT A BACHONLINE RE-SELLERSHutt Valley
RENT A BACH - Number 5BachesTaupo
Rimu RetreatBed & BreakfastWaitakere
Ruffles LodgeLodgeQueensland
Sanctuary PalmsApartmentPaihia
Seal Coast SafariSingle Day ToursWellington
Shelbourne VillaBed & BreakfastNelson
Shining Star Beachfront AccommodationMotelHokitika
Sirromet Wine ToursWine/VineyardsQueensland
Sky Tours NZ Ltd.ONLINE RE-SELLERSChristchurch
Skydive Rainbow BeachSky DivingQueensland
Skydivezone Bay of IslandsSky DivingBay of Islands
Snells Beach MotelMotelWarkworth
Stokell MotorsportDriving AdventuresBrisbane
Stoneleigh LodgeLodgeNorth Canterbury
Sundowner MotelMotelGreymouth
Surfers Paradise MarinaJet BoatingSurfers Paradise
Sydney Tall ShipsBoat CruisesSydney
Tahi BeachBoutique HotelWhangarei
Tapeka Del MarBachesBay of Islands
Tasman Sky AdventuresParaglidingNelson
Te Mahia Bay ResortResortMarlb. Sounds
Terra Vive Luxury Motor LodgeApartmentChristchurch
Terrace Downs VillasApartmentMt Hutt/Methven
The Helicopter Line Mount CookFlightseeingMount Cook
The Helicopter Line QueenstownFlightseeingQueenstown
The Helicopter Line TwizelFlightseeingTwizel
The Helicopter Line West CoastFlightseeingFranz Josef
The Holden Driving CentreDriving AdventuresQueensland
The Old Coach HouseBed & BreakfastWanganui
The Rees Hotel & Luxury ApartmentsHotelQueenstown
The Top House Lake TaupoHomesteadTaupo
The V8 Supercar ExperienceDriving AdventuresNSW
The Villa HokitikaHomesteadHokitika
The Wine Society - BrisbaneWine/VineyardsBrisbane
TouchNZONLINE RE-SELLERSSouth Auckland
Tourism West CoastONLINE RE-SELLERSGreymouth
Tower Junction Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Tower Lodge MotelMotelInvercargill
TracktimeSingle Day ToursSouth Auckland
Tudor Park MotelMotelGisborne
Tuscana Motor LodgeMotelChristchurch
Urban RoomsApartmentChristchurch
Visit WaimakaririONLINE RE-SELLERSRangiora
Volcanic Air SafarisFlightseeingRotorua
Waiheke Auto RentalsRental CarWaiheke Island
Waiheke Culture ToursToursWaiheke Island
Waiheke Rental CarsRental CarWaiheke Island
Waimarama Cottages & Horse TreksHorse TreksHastings
Walk WellingtonSingle Day ToursWellington
Wellington Rover ToursSingle Day ToursWellington
West Plaza HotelHotelWellington
Westport MotelMotelWestport
World Series PaintballOutdoor AdventuresNationwide
X Flight LTDFlightseeingSouth Auckland
YHA WellingtonBack PackerWellington
ZealandiaBird WatchingWellington
Zorb Gold CoastMiscellaneousGold Coast

 

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