International Complexity Managed & Real-time Online Reservations Capabilities Added For O.a.r.s.
Boundary lines are being erased for TourTech Systems client O.A.R.S. (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) as the organization has integrated TourTools real-time online booking solution with its current reservation system, complete with integral reporting features catering to the clients international reach for both staff and customers alike.
According to O.A.R.S. Marketing & Partnerships Director Steve Markle, The online reports have increased our interoffice communications efficiencies exponentially by allowing our operations folks to access traveler rosters and schedules at any time from virtually anywhere on the globe.
TourTech delivers increased efficiency and value to our clients and for those companies already using the software solution, a further return on investment (ROI) is delivered. As a result of TourTools, O.A.R.S. has effectively reduced the amount of time its sales staff spends faxing and/or emailing information and has reduced reporting errors, Markle continues. Another benefit realized by upgrading to TourTools online system is the elimination of paper for in-house reporting.
The customized, online features also are tremendously beneficial for organizations targeting international travelers and have staff throughout the world. The ability to access information, tailor information, target customers, communicate directly with staff and customers in their time zone, and offer real-time package and tour availability are all features that give travel companies a competitive edge as they extend their geographic reach.
O.A.R.S. is able to generate rosters and manifests in a secured online area for its staff regardless of their location. Due to the nature of O.A.R.S. packages booked by customers, up-to-the-minute status on its trip manifests and rosters is critical as they can experience changes or cancellations on the morning of departure.
O.A.R.S. Reservations Manager Mindy Gleason explains With online booking available when the office may be closed, this feature becomes more critical.
As part of O.A.R.S. technology upgrade, TourTech has built a sales report that is Web based and has multiple functions including year to year comparison charts. Matt Zeugin, O.A.R.S. Information Technology director says, We can now compare sales at any specific point in time for the current year against multiple previous years for specific areas and trips. This allows our company to gage how well our sales efforts (and other factors like market/industry conditions and trends) are doing.
O.A.R.S. customized online "sales to date comparison report" provides valuable data with respect to the total number of passengers booked by specific trip at any given time in a year compared to the same time in the previous four years, Markle adds. By having it online we can view and share sales data to help prepare for the season operationally and to help us make informed business decisions regarding marketing, staffing, equipment purchases, (and others).
O.A.R.S. wanted its operational managers, who are based in different locations throughout the western U.S. and Canada, to be able to access the most up-to-date information on their own schedule, according to Gleason. We wanted to relieve the office staff of the time intensive tasks of generating and delivering (by e-mail) these reports several times a week, thereby freeing up their time for sales.
Solidifying customer communication and providing a one-stop resource for clients are further goals of O.A.R.S. as the TourTools upgrade has two areas of functionality. The first function is online sales and is fully operational; whereas, the second phase will incorporate informational forms, allowing customers to complete passport and medical documentation online.
We will soon be adding our client release and liability forms online and triggered emails for post-trip evaluations and other items, Zeugin explains.
While O.A.R.S. staff anticipates and looks forward to receiving ongoing benefits as a result of the TourTools upgrade, the organization has already communicated immediate ROI.
One of the most significant and unexpected benefits has been the dramatic increase in bookings made by Australians and New Zealanders for our one-day Navua River trips in Fiji, Markle explains. Bookings to date are up over 100 percent from our previous best year with a significant number of those travelers coming from foreign markets.
According to O.A.R.S. Marketing & Partnerships Director Steve Markle, The online reports have increased our interoffice communications efficiencies exponentially by allowing our operations folks to access traveler rosters and schedules at any time from virtually anywhere on the globe.
TourTech delivers increased efficiency and value to our clients and for those companies already using the software solution, a further return on investment (ROI) is delivered. As a result of TourTools, O.A.R.S. has effectively reduced the amount of time its sales staff spends faxing and/or emailing information and has reduced reporting errors, Markle continues. Another benefit realized by upgrading to TourTools online system is the elimination of paper for in-house reporting.
The customized, online features also are tremendously beneficial for organizations targeting international travelers and have staff throughout the world. The ability to access information, tailor information, target customers, communicate directly with staff and customers in their time zone, and offer real-time package and tour availability are all features that give travel companies a competitive edge as they extend their geographic reach.
O.A.R.S. is able to generate rosters and manifests in a secured online area for its staff regardless of their location. Due to the nature of O.A.R.S. packages booked by customers, up-to-the-minute status on its trip manifests and rosters is critical as they can experience changes or cancellations on the morning of departure.
O.A.R.S. Reservations Manager Mindy Gleason explains With online booking available when the office may be closed, this feature becomes more critical.
As part of O.A.R.S. technology upgrade, TourTech has built a sales report that is Web based and has multiple functions including year to year comparison charts. Matt Zeugin, O.A.R.S. Information Technology director says, We can now compare sales at any specific point in time for the current year against multiple previous years for specific areas and trips. This allows our company to gage how well our sales efforts (and other factors like market/industry conditions and trends) are doing.
O.A.R.S. customized online "sales to date comparison report" provides valuable data with respect to the total number of passengers booked by specific trip at any given time in a year compared to the same time in the previous four years, Markle adds. By having it online we can view and share sales data to help prepare for the season operationally and to help us make informed business decisions regarding marketing, staffing, equipment purchases, (and others).
O.A.R.S. wanted its operational managers, who are based in different locations throughout the western U.S. and Canada, to be able to access the most up-to-date information on their own schedule, according to Gleason. We wanted to relieve the office staff of the time intensive tasks of generating and delivering (by e-mail) these reports several times a week, thereby freeing up their time for sales.
Solidifying customer communication and providing a one-stop resource for clients are further goals of O.A.R.S. as the TourTools upgrade has two areas of functionality. The first function is online sales and is fully operational; whereas, the second phase will incorporate informational forms, allowing customers to complete passport and medical documentation online.
We will soon be adding our client release and liability forms online and triggered emails for post-trip evaluations and other items, Zeugin explains.
While O.A.R.S. staff anticipates and looks forward to receiving ongoing benefits as a result of the TourTools upgrade, the organization has already communicated immediate ROI.
One of the most significant and unexpected benefits has been the dramatic increase in bookings made by Australians and New Zealanders for our one-day Navua River trips in Fiji, Markle explains. Bookings to date are up over 100 percent from our previous best year with a significant number of those travelers coming from foreign markets.
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