Newsletter : November/December 2007

NZTO Comment

by Garry Bond, General Manager, New Zealand Tourism Online

Well it's almost ho ho ho time (or some other term for the politically correct out there). How have you fared so far this season? Are you in a stronger position now than you were this time last year? If you don't know, you need to check. Measuring your success is critical to planning ahead. In its simplest form, how many bookings have you taken, what's the value of those bookings and what's the average spend per booking? While you can't look at this in isolation, at least it's a measure of success.

How are your customer service levels? Are you answering all telephone calls? Are you replying to all emails within the hour? Our tourism consultants often comment that when they try to call an operator the call goes unanswered. This definitely means some operators are missing out on bookings. While we provide a large enquiry button on our listings, you'd be surprised how many travellers simply pick up the phone and call the number - especially locals looking to get their holiday sorted.

Are you making the most of technology? There are many interactive products now available to capture or motivate the traveller to book. Take our audio visual product for example. It's simple, provides voice, music and images. Very compelling and provides a three dimensional feel to any static Web site. What about direct or instant booking systems. Make technology work for you especially when you can't answer an email in the middle of the night. Don't forget to also check your Web statistics from your Web host. How is your own site performing? Where are you getting the traffic to your site from. Our tourism consultants are often very surprised that this isn't checked before making a marketing decision.

Have a great Xmas and we look forward to working with you again in 2008.

Environmental Sustainability Poll Results

With a marked swing towards sustainable tourism and the benefits for New Zealand operators getting behind the idea, New Zealand Tourism Online has conducted an online poll which asked the question:

Would you prefer to choose a tourism operator with an environmental sustainability programme?

The 4 options available to select were:

- Absolutely
- Maybe
- Don't Care
- What's environmental sustainability?

And the results out of 1750 replies were 60% absolutely, 10% maybe, 15% don't care and 15% who don't really know what it's all about. We did provide a link so site visitors would get an idea about what it meant but it's good to see that 70% are aware of it and prefer dealing with an operator who practises environmental sustainability.

Sure this is just a straw poll but the trend will continue so if you haven't started thinking about it, maybe now is the time (well maybe on Xmas day as you relax after a big lunch).

Accommodation Growth

With the number of visitors to the country growing steadily, the number of new quality establishments also continues to grow. One such property is the Hotel Ibis Tainui in Hamilton. It's a brand new hotel offering excellent facilities, friendly service and a superb central location overlooking the Waikato River. The hotel is just a few minutes walk to restaurants, cafes and bars, shopping and entertainment, including SkyCity Casino and is only 20 minutes from Hamilton International Airport. Features extensive facilities to cater for a wide range of functions, conferences and meetings and also boasts a stylish and relaxed restaurant and bar on site, with fantastic al fresco dining with river views.

Opening special: Standard rooms for just $99 per room per night, plus full buffet breakfast for just $2 per person! Valid from 10 Dec 2007 to 31 Jan 2008, subject to availability.

For bookings and information, visit www.accorhotels.co.nz/hamilton

Direct Bookings

Over $200,000 in bookings have been made by travellers to tourism operators involved in our new booking system (and it's only been up and running for a few months).

Want to join them and get your share of bookings?

This booking function is fully integrated into our site. It provides the ability for travellers (domestic or international) to book right now.

The setup is free and you only pay a commission on confirmed bookings only.

Here's 12 points for you to consider.

1. Booking Button: You will have a "Make a Booking" button added to your listing
2. Compare and Book: You will be included as part of the "Compare Rates" function within your region and category
3. Cross Marketing: We can cross market your business, for example, someone who is interested in a rental car can also be offered accommodation options and visa versa
4. Packages: We have the ability to construct "packages", for example, you could be part of a "3 Day Escape to Nelson" package
5. Reduced Risk: Reduces the risk of losing a booking from customers ready to book now
6. Bookings: Generate confirmed sales from international and domestic travellers
7. Product: Additional exposure and details for your product offering, including availability and pricing
8. Profile: Be a profiled operator on our site with a booking capability
9. Save Time: Saves you time and effort by not having to deal with enquiries regarding availability
10. Timely Information: Provides immediate information to customers, anytime of the day or night

Please note: This option is only available to those operators who have a gold listing or gold listing with Web page. Enquire if you are not sure if you have a gold listing or wish to market yourself to over 220,000 visitors each month.

New Feature

A 'Make a Booking Search' function has been added to the home page (under Air NZ Fare Finder) to allow travellers quick access to those operators with the booking option. This makes it easy for travellers wanting to book immediately.

Yes I'm Interested

Want more info including commission rates? Please email us now.

PS: Thanks to all of you who have already applied. Many of you are now live here and the rest are being processed.

AUDIO VISUAL - YOU TUBE

About 300 tourism operators have now taken advantage of the multimedia audio visual. What's more, these are now available to add to You Tube.

Click here to view the Brothers Boutique Hotel audio visual added to You Tube.

Even without You Tube our audio visuals are currently viewed over 15,000 times per month. Just think of the exposure if the audio visual is added to You Tube!

This audio visual product is designed to be cost effective and compelling, with the images and sound combination really helping liven up your site visitors experience. The audio visual attaches to your listing on our site and includes button options and links so you can use it on your own Web site or in emails to your customers!

Key Features

• Low cost
• Fast loading
• Communicate key messages and images in a focused format
• Suitable for both small and larger tourism operators across all market sectors
• Very appealing to your potential customers with additional conversion opportunities
• Professionally studio recorded soundtrack of your key messages
• Excellent selection of background music
• Enhance your NZTO listing, see Air Fiordland listing example - Media Clip link
• Enhance your NZTO Web page if you have one, see Air Fiordland Web page example - Details Box
• Add to your own Web site after we supply you with button and text options
• Include it in your own emails to potential customers

"You guys have done Ko Tane proud. I'm really happy with the clip, but most of all the pronunciation of Māori words is excellent.", Dave Brennan, Ko Tane, Christchurch

This low cost product is exceptional value so get your order in now and don't forget to ask about You Tube! Contact your tourism consultant or our specialist AV product Manager Mike Kaye on 0800 14 65 54 for more information.

Too Much Noise

Are you sick and tired of noisy car exhausts? Almost every community in New Zealand now suffers the effects of excessive noise from deliberately modified vehicles.

The noise is harmful and completely unnecessary. Right now, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are regularly disturbed by the noise epidemic. The problem extends far beyond homeowners and road users – it now impacts on business and tourism. Restaurants and Cafes are losing customers. Tourists are checking out of hotels.

The clean green image of New Zealand is not being helped so if you think something should be done about it then 'The Noise Off Charitable Trust' is a good place to start.