AusLeisure

Two of New Zealand’s largest and well-respected online booking specialists - Ibis Technology and the Whyte Waters Group - are joining forces and will now jointly provide customers with access to a wider range of live online inventory across the tourism industry.

For Ibis, the move adds value to their existing online booking channel between Ibis booking agents and activity and transport operators while for Whyte Waters, with its Real Time Booking System (RTBS) that accommodation providers use when booking activities, this also offers a complementary arrangement.

Both businesses had been looking for the right opportunity to work with another provider for some time, and the online link between both systems is flagged to take place early in 2016.

Whyte Waters Group Director David McAuley and Ibis Director Erik Bradshaw said they were delighted to announce the affiliation.

McAuley stated “together we’ll be substantial inventory holders in a market that has been very fragmented.

“It’s a great move for Ibis and a great move for us.”

The existing Whyte Waters tourism marketing system, aimed at driving seamless income streams for accommodation providers with the help of its Guest Experience Support System (GESS), operates at outlets throughout the country from Youth Hostel Association properties to concierges of some of the country’s largest hotel groups.

Meanwhile the IBIS Agent Reservations system is used extensively throughout the i-SITE network along with a number of independent booking agents. 

Activity operators using IBIS Operator Reservations software include popular attractions Nzone Skydive, KJet, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa and Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Operators and agents using either the IBIS or RTBS reservations systems gain the advantage of an extra online booking channel, which means added value, efficiencies and more business all round.

Bradshaw stated “we investigated other integration opportunities in the past, but Whyte Waters was the first to offer real value to all of our customers which made the decision easy. This is a win/win relationship for the industry.”

Both are looking forward to the mutual benefits of integrating their well-established channels and booking systems for clients across New Zealand.

Whyte Waters has been operating for 17 years while Ibis Technology was launched in 1995 by Erik Bradshaw as what was then New Zealand’s only tourism software specialist.

Images: Gavin Traill of Whyte Waters Group pictured with Julie Johnston of Ibis Technology (top) and the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa (below).

For more information on Whyte Waters click here to view their entry and contact details in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

For more information on Ibis Technology click here to view their entry and contact details in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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