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Originally Posted On: Why is it Important to have Tour Rentals and Activities Booking Software? (indexic.net)

The travel, and tour industry is booming with opportunities growing every day. More and more customers are booking online for tours, rentals and activities because of the convenience it offers. To take advantage of this, tour operators need to use tour booking software to accelerate leads and sales. This software tool serves multiple roles to make your tour operations running smoothly. Due to this, it can make the difference between business survival or collapse. Here are some ways it can impact your business.

• Increase your direct bookings

Your online booking system is open on a 24/7 basis so it can accept bookings around the clock. Customers can book whenever they want when it suits them. This leads to higher bookings. A positive related consequence of this is that customers take a little bit more time with this process since they do it when they are comfortable. This makes them more likely to check out other offers leading to further purchases.

• Accept last-minute reservations

Just as it is easy to book online it’s also easy to cancel. The advantage of online booking systems is that previous reservations can be canceled and become immediately available for other customers. The system immediately updates to indicate any unused capacity. When prospective customers log in to the website, they can view available slots and book. So even last-minute reservations can be easily secured.

• Put an end to redundant administrative tasks

It takes a lot of time to send out email notifications and messages. This is because the customers need to be reminded of upcoming booked events and the staff will have to write it and send it. When you consider the volume of customers, it quickly becomes clear that a lot of staff is needed just to process, write and send those emails. However, booking systems have ended this tedious administrative work since it automates the email notifications. Also, the need for phone calls by customers is reduced because they can simply visit the website and have many of their inquiries answered. Errors such as double booking and others are also eliminated because the system is accurate.

• Increase your exposure

Your business can enjoy more awareness from customers from your booking software. This works through integrating your site with cost-effective marketing tools. The tools can be used to produce and send out promotional messages and material to an unlimited number of customers. You can also send newsletters to your customers to update them on important events or issues thus improving retention, loyalty and generating more bookings. The platforms can also use social media as a promotional vehicle to attract new customers.

You can also add other marketing channels such as the use of online travel agencies (OTAs) to gain additional exposure. They help customers to compare, research and buy products from a website. At a commission fee that you pay, you can partner with their platform and outsource some of your sales efforts and online marketing.

• Get smarter insights into your business

Your tour booking software is designed to track vital details including reservation and other information connected to it. This yields a precious resource of information that is extracted from customers. You will have a better picture of your customers from the reports that are generated. For example, you can pinpoint which things are bringing you the most revenue. You can then expand these opportunities while cutting back on what is not popular.

• Better understand Your Cash Flow and Purchasing Power:

You can see your cash flow in real-time through payment reports that are updated automatically in your booking software. These reports offer you clues about the potential of your business for growth or failure. You can see who are your high-value customers and target them with upsells, add ons, and other extras. You can also spot ideas that are not making you money and drop them.

• It’s Easy to Keep Your Inventory up-to-Date

The software allows you to plan and use your resources more efficiently. Through it you can get updates on bookings made, unused capacity, and how many customers need to be catered for at each moment. This makes it easy for you to schedule the amount of staff to be assigned to serving the customers. By planning this way, delays are avoided such as those caused by staff shortages. This keeps customers satisfied and happy, which protects the reputation of your business.

• You Can Get More Bookings in Advance

Customers have different habits at different times. For example, when there is an anticipation of many bookings because of an upcoming vacation or popular activity, more people book in advance to guarantee that their slot is secure. This makes online booking systems suitable for this since it gives the customers the freedom and flexibility to book well in advance.

• Bookings Made any Time of Day

Since the booking system is open 24/7 it remains open at all times of the day. Customers are free to book any moment as long as there is reservation space.

• Payments are Faster and Easier 

Payments made through online booking software are incredibly easy, which can give you very strong cash flows to support your business. There is no time lag when customers log into your site and pay. You can also eliminate third parties or middlemen so that the income comes straight to you unshaped with anyone else.

• Mobility

With more adoption of mobiles and tablets, customers are preferring to make bookings and purchases through them. Since the tour operator software is web-based, any device can be used for booking. This leads to higher booking numbers. Also as people are booking when it is most convenient to them, there is less distraction and less possibility for postponing booking decisions.

• Fewer Possibilities for No Shows 

Customers booking online are making a financial commitment which makes them less likely to fail to show up. This makes it easy to maximize your reservation space so as to maximize your use of resources and generate more revenue.

Conclusion

An online booking system is not a luxury but an essential requirement for travel agencies. It puts you in good stead to compete and assist your rivals. Customers appreciate the convenience it offers and you can use it to ease the pressure on your staff. It also cuts down on your costs such as staffing, errors, and losses that result from the slower manual system.