Newsletter : October 2005
brought to you by New Zealand Tourism Online www.tourism.net.nz
In this October Newsletter:
NZTO Comment
by Garry Bond, General Manager, New Zealand Tourism Online
The world is a changing place and I don't know about you but the pace of life just gets faster. And to a certain extent I blame technology, which is an odd statement coming from me as New Zealand Tourism Online is definitely in the technology game. What I mean is that technology speeds up communication flow and this has both a positive and negative effect.
On the positive side, our company uses the Internet to maximise the number of people looking to travel to, or within New Zealand. It's amost instant gratification. Once we add a new tourism operation to our site, within moments they are exposed to a huge targeted audience which can potentially generate immediate new business for them.
On the negative side, it also allows bad news to travel much faster through the media (TV, radio, newspapers etc), and it seems that every week there is not just one potentially world changing event, but several. This week we continue to be told about the bird flu, the new terrorist attacks in India, floods, famine, earthquakes... the list goes on.
New Zealand is lucky however and although we're in a geographically isolated part of the planet, this is to our advantage - it's a safe place away from terrorism and those kinds of threats, it's got great people and scenery, it's got plently of contrasting activities and lots more. I guess that technology does at least keep us up to date with what's going on and we can then react and adapt faster if need be.
I'm afraid it still doesn't stop me feeling the globe is spinning faster now than ten years ago.
Fast 50
We have some more good news! This time in the Deloitte/Unlimited Fast 50 for the third consecutive year (2003, 2004 and 2005).
This year New Zealand Tourism Online was placed 44th fastest growing company in New Zealand.
Deloitte partner Brett Chambers said, "Making the Fast 50 in any year is a remarkable achievement and one that should be celebrated. To sustain the sort of growth rates that you need to make the index year after year, you need to be doing something right. NZTO clearly has the right stuff and the three-peat is a fantastic reward for being customer focused and innovative."
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many tourism businesses from around the country who help contribute to our continued success. It's been a wonderful year. The Fast 50 ranking and recent New Zealand Tourism Awards not only provide our company and staff with public recognition, but acknowledges that many of you belong to one of this country's leading tourism companies.
We're looking forward to extending our online and offline presence further in 2005 and 2006. For more info about the Fast 50 click here and if you wish to extend your online exposure feel free to drop us an email.
On The Road
Have you seen the bus? New Zealand Tourism Online is now featured on the front, back and sides of a bus that travels for around 9 months of the year throughout the country.
This is proving a great way to promote our Web site and is a very visible and appropriate method of advertising for us. Ron and Paula are great ambassadors for New Zealand, are friendly and approachable, while providing free advice for those who want to know where they have traveled and where they are going next.
Keep an eye out for a new feature on our Web site which provides a written commentary from Ron and Paula as they travel to some of the lesser known places in New Zealand.
Free: Feature Maps
Have you got your free map yet? New Zealand Tourism Online has developed a new map feature for you to use - and it's free! It's a great way to add more value to your own Web site, and there are five different maps to choose from: accommodation, attractions, tours, transport and visitor information. The example below is the visitor information map.
These maps are ideal for providing visitors to your site with quality information. As an accommodation supplier you may feel your visitors would benefit from finding out about activities in your area and around New Zealand. In this case you'd use the activities map. If applicable you may use more than one map on your site.
| New Zealand Information | |
|
|
|
|
| © 2005 New Zealand Tourism Online |
Building Beautiful Relationships
by Tara Topliff, Avatar Web Promotions
Your Web site's aim should be to have as many beautiful relationships as possible! Why? Because they facilitate the path to loyal customers giving you repeat business, as well as word-of-mouth marketing.
Ideally you want your customers to simply love your brand, and the products and services that you offer, to the point that they tell all their friends about you and never look anywhere else. A recommendation from a friend comes with an endorsement that offers more value than any other type of marketing communication. So how do you create this lovin' situation via your Web site? Here are a few pointers:
- Relationships are all about giving. Give viewers useful tips, advice, the latest news and fresh content. Why else would you expect them to keep returning to your site?
- Give preferential treatment. Incentivise them with repeat purchase discounts or valued added benefits for loyalty.
- Make your viewers feel special. Invite them to join your private membership club, making them the first people to hear about new products, news, services, activities or special offers.
- Get to know them better and talk to them. Collect data wherever possible, not just at the point of booking, and maintain regular personalised contact by newsletter and email.
We welcome any feedback or contributions for our next newsletter - just email our team web@tourism.net.nz
Regards,
The Team
Ph. 0800 14 65 47
https://www.tourism.net.nz
New Zealand Tourism Online Limited
Head Office: 208 Cashel Street, Christchurch
