Booking Management System
The TriplehillABS Booking Management System has been fully operational for a couple of months and has greatly streamlined the booking management process. Over the next few months we will be compiling property statistics and feedback for operators, particularly as your property reaches the 12 month listing period. This information will be beneficial in providing: enquiry /conversion feedback, identifying areas for additional/modified marketing strategies, and opportunities for collaborative marketing. This monitoring process has been occuring during the year and has resulted in the development of a number of specific webpages to assist in increasing exposure for specific localities across the region. Thank you to operators who have provided information, images and feedback on these pages, and to those who have provided 'special offers' to help showcase promotions.
The following has been maintained from our previous newsletters as a reminder on how the system operates, and also as general information for new operators.
Does This Mean We Will Not Ring You Anymore?
As per our policy and procedures we will never confirm a booking without first contacting you to confirm availability. The booking confirmation will provide details on the booking and the contact details of the client. TOP
What Will Be On The Booking Confirmation?
The Booking Confirmation will include client name, contact details, date of stay, confirmed tariff and further instructions on how to proceed with the booking. TOP
What Will Be On The Recipient Created Tax Invoice (RCTI)?
The RCTI will include all the details as per our previous invoice system. Invoices will be fully tracked within our system and a copy of these will be retained in your personal client file. TOP
What If You Delete The RCTI or Confirmation Emails?
We will ensure that we keep at least 1 hard copy and 1 electronic copy of all correspondence sent to you. You may request that we forward you a new copy at any time by contacting us via email: support@triplehillabs.com.au TOP
NEW: Will There Still Be Someone Available To Take Our Calls? YES but....
Given the increasing telephone enquiry and call back processes with clients we would like to take this opportunity to request that operators use, where possible and practical, email communication particularly in regard to availability. The benefit is two fold: operators are free to respond to client calls, and there is a central hard copy record of all communication received which is important in monitoring property availability. The Operator support email is continually monitored and the support phone number is available during business hours. Our staff will endeavour to return your emails and phone calls within 1 business day. TOP
Search Engine Performance
The winter season statistics indicate that May and June have been slightly quieter in terms of accommodation enquiries for TriplehillABS. .
58 375 Visitors For June
In June over 55 000 people viewed our website which is a record breaking amount of people for this new website. TOP
Customer Enquiries For June
In June over 90 people made enquiries from our website. TOP
Website Development
Over the last month a number of new pages have been developed for TriplehillABS to capture as many 'niche' market enquiries as possible. The following webpages have been developed:
Trentham: to increase profile of the township and operators in this area
Hanging Rock: to capture enquiry from tourists considering a visit to the iconic formation. There are also a number of key festivals and events held at the Rock each year and they will be showcased, along with accommodation specials, on this page
Girls Weekends: to address the increasing number of requests for self-contained accommodation for large groups, and to promote properties that have unique feature identified by this target market segment.
Rural Retreats: to cater for an increasing number of operators whose properties are outside townships or are in smaller villages, who style of accommodation and activities can be additionally promoted as rural retreats.
TOP
Special Offers/Promotional Packages
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you are interested in offering any specials deals/packages. We are aiming to have at least two key specials on offer for each new page which offers clients value for money, something which can be promoted as a significant enticement, and where possible promotes collaborative marketing links with other businesses in the region. TOP
Last Minute Bookings
We are still experiencing a significant amount of last minute 'getaway for the weekend' bookings through the service. PLEASE forward Property availability/last minute cancellations each week. This will ensure a higher conversion rate on last minute bookings as these customers expect immediate confirmation of a booking.
Thank you to those who consistently provide this information. It ensures an expedient process booking clients and helps to avoid the unfortunate situation of missing out on bookings.
Our preferred contact method is via email before Midday Thursday for the coming weekend.
The support email is: support@triplehillabs.com.au
William Angliss Practical Placement Program:
Triplehill Accommodation has entered into a student workplace training arrangement with William Angliss Institute of TAFE. This means that there will be a number of 'new' faces working specifically with Triplehill staff on tourism industry projects which will benefit individual accommodation operators and the region. A number of Key projects have been identified including, for example:
Better Business Tourism Accreditation Program: Lets Get Accredited! Over the last 12 months a number of operators have asked whether we would assist them complete the better business program. The Lets Get Accredited! project will do just that and will involve business development workshops and one-on-one approaches to completing the requirements for accreditation.
e-tourism: Web development project aimed at targeting niche tourism markets and developing strategic internet marketing strategies and webpages aimed at increasing the website/market exposure of TriplehillABS and operators across the region.
Students will be developing detailed project workplans and will working inconjunction with the Directors of Triplehill Accommodation Pty Ltd. These projects offer a timely opportunity for operators to participate in initiative that will significantly increase the 'professional' profile of tourism businesses in the region.
Emails will be distributed detailing each project and calling for expressions of interest for participation.
Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc - Your Passport to Stay.
The Macedon Ranges’ newest peak body, Tourism Macedon Ranges Inc. (TMR), has taken an innovative approach to ‘Your Passport to Stay’, its first marketing campaign aimed at creating awareness of local tourism assets and increasing visitor numbers to the region.
Where tourism marketing is generally characterised by large scale advertising to interstate, suburban and regional populations, TMR has chosen a totally different target market: its residents.
The campaign concept centres on a ‘passport’ brochure of incentives and offers from local operators, business partnerships and towns, supported by a major prize draw for residents who take up one offer in each town.
Following on from the success of the May 2006 Tourism and Small Business seminar which attracted over 50 local operators, TMR Chairman John Ellis was keen to discuss the rationale behind the campaign.
“The 2003 National Visitor Survey showed 47% of day trip visitors and 63% of overnight visitors to the Macedon Ranges were visiting friends and relatives. These figures provided the catalyst for ‘Your Passport to Stay,” Mr Ellis explained.
“With finite resources the board agreed the best way to promote our region was through a grass-roots strategy. By highlighting our tourism assets and providing a reason to travel, residents and their visiting friends and relatives will remain in their Shire. This ensures their valuable leisure dollars remain local and benefits our economy,” Mr Ellis said.
Mr Ellis urged businesses to consider a creative individual offer, partner with another business or consider a town wide reward.
Applications for participation were sought from businesses in all areas of accommodation, food and wine, arts and entertainment, recreation and attractions, relaxation, health and beauty. Many exciting offers and partnerships have emerged from the 'passport' concept.
For more information, contact Kylie Lethbridge, Tourism Development Team Leader, Macedon Ranges Shire Council by phoning 5422 0315.
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