TourismTech 09, a technology expo and information day for the tourism industry, is being held for the first time at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Christchurch on October 6th. It is being organised and sponsored by me, and Seekom Channel Management.

Simon Casey of Seekom, says, “TourismTech is free for tourism operators to attend, so they can meet industry experts in one place, have their technology questions answered, see the latest products and services being offered by leading technology companies, and network with each other.”

Mr Casey said that the expo is based on a similar model to the Travel Technology show in London earlier this year that he and his partner Nicky attended.

“We have been very pleased with the enthusiastic response from technology companies to participate in this exciting event. We have several companies from Australia participating and if it proves to be popular with tourism operators, it could well be held in other centres in the future,” says Mr Casey.

Colin Kelly of Systems for Business, a co-organiser, says, “An important part of the expo will be educative seminars on the use of technology and these will be presented by industry experts. Topics include social networking, online bookings, content managed websites, etc., which tourism operators need to understand if they want to successfully grow their business in an online world.”

Two keynote speakers will be talking on the very popular topic of social media. One is Jack Yan from Jack Yan Associates who presented a “standing room only” seminar on this topic at the Small Business Expo in Wellington recently. The other is Steve Wilson of Social Eyes Consultancy who as part of his PhD research is looking at the emerging trends in social media tracking and marketing.

Although registrations will be accepted on the day, those that register online will have an express check-in on the day and go in the draw for a number of spot prizes.

Information on the TourismTech web includes who is attending and presenting , and you can register free online for tickets.

http://www.tourismtech.co.nz/

List Of Participants by category

Channel Management / Distribution
Seekomauctas Hotel DistributionSkagerrak Software
Conference Systems
auctas Hotel Distribution
Consultancy/Advisory
Systems for BusinessVistagateauctas Hotel DistributionAccounts Online
Content Management Systems
EnotiaLimelight Online
Customer Relationship Management
Enotia
Online Accounting
XeroAccounts Online
Online Booking System
Seekom
Online Media
EnotiaDigitise Online Media
Online Marketing / Research
GetSmartEnotia
Online Payment Processing
Digitise Online Media
Online Sales Channel
Ezibed.com
Phone/Internet Billing
Vistagate
Property Management Systems
Skagerrak Software (MotelMate)Seekom
Telecoms / Broadband / Internet
Vistagate
Training
Accounts Online
Website Design
EnotiaDigitise Online MediaLimelight Online
Website Hosting
Limelight OnlineEnotiaDigitise Online Media
Website Optimisation
Digitise Online MediaLimelight OnlineEnotia.

http://www.tourismtech.co.nz/.

Social Marketing

26 examples of social network marketing companies

Its all american, but comes on a great website/blog.

http://budurl.com/hx4u

What worked for Motels is changing...fast.

I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones.” - John Cage

Some practical alternatives to hotel closings - turning around operating results. - Wednesday, 19th August 2009 at 4Hoteliers

Heres an article about closures...but much of what they say is what I warn on my web for motel operators too. Not about closing, but keeping revenue up. good article.

Some practical alternatives to hotel closings - turning around operating results. - Wednesday, 19th August 2009 at 4Hoteliers

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TourismTech Expo, Christchurch October 6th

I will be co hosting a "Tourism & Technology' Conference/expo day in Christchurch, 6th October.



We are looking at having 10 to 20 partners, each giving short information talks on a range of issues. Not sales pitches! If it goes ahead as proposed, the talks given on the day should be available on the web afterwards & I will let you know what is available to view soon.You may even like to come.

Motel marketing survey

90 motels & hotels took part in this first survey of NZ motel marketing.
We got about an 8.5 % answer rate.

Thats a little better than MANZ did with the annual conference just held, only 59 went (I am told) from about 1000 members,or 6%. Hmmmmm.Maybe everyone was too busy.

I think MANZ need to look at that...I believe Host got more than 50% of members to their half yearly meeting just held in Palmerston North.

To see the results go to :
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2jm57difx2z1q1p/results

Anyway, to the results. Its all fairly clear....except ( Thanks to the sharp eyed man who pointed it out) how 7 respondants were Host members, but 27 are claiming to use "Host" as a sales channel!
46% of you have had web bookings increase by either "quite a lot" or "greatly" in the last 18 months
Web optomization is well regarded, as is Wotif.
AA & Jasons equally well regarded, in print form,
AA & Jasons uncannily neck & neck in the web booking stakes.
A good point made to me ( that I was already aware of) was that where Jasons "holidayguide" or AA is used as a booking page, some operators do not seperate out all the other business that looks like "Holidayguide" or "AA" bookings at first glance. ( Ie they count traffic that actually came to their own web) My question could have been clearer.
A lot of people still using pad & pencil system. Of course it is a system that never crashes or freezes!
Virtually no Blogs or Twitters! 2 of each. 13 facebooks. I should have asked about embedded Utube videos. If anyone is using that, Id apreciate hearing.

Doing a Survey

The Aim is...once there are a few done, to get a snapshot of whats happening in marketing motels at the moment.
Anonomous, & participants can see results ( only as a total) & therefore see how they compare.

Do it at : http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2jlwuu6fx1gx2r1/start