Tas e-Connect: Taking Tasmania to the world

Frequently Asked Questions

Tourism Operators

Distributors

Discovertasmania.com

Tourism Industry Operators

What is Tas e-Connect?

Tas e-Connect is an initiative of Tourism Tasmania aimed at creating more opportunities for tourism product to be purchased online, in real time, all the time.

Tas e-Connect uses open booking exchange technology, developed by Australian company V3, and lets tourism businesses connect their products and experiences to distributors and consumers around the world.

Tas e-Connect is about assisting you to get your products and experiences in front of more consumers online, through as many distribution channels as you choose.

Who is V3?

V3 is an Australian company that provides innovative online products and services to the tourism and leisure industry.

V3 was successful in the public tender process Tourism Tasmania initiated to secure a provider of an open booking platform for the Tasmanian tourism industry.

V3 has implemented and will maintain its Open Booking Exchange (OBX) technology with Tourism Tasmania as part of a long-term agreement to allow you to present your products to consumers through as many online distribution channels as you choose.

Tasmania is one of the first states in Australia to implement the Open Booking Exchange solution and make it live for its tourism industry.

What is the Open Booking Exchange (OBX)?

The Open Booking Exchange (OBX) is the technology solution for Tourism Tasmania’s Tas e-Connect initiative, which will efficiently connect Tasmanian tourism suppliers’ booking engines to a wide range of online distributors.

The OBX is the technology that sits between a distributor’s online presence and a supplier’s e-commerce enabled point of sale.

The OBX allows an online distributor to access product information and inventory from a supplier (either you or your third-party supplier) and present it to the consumer in real time.

V3 has implemented and will maintain its Open Booking Exchange (OBX) technology with Tourism Tasmania for the Tas e-Connect program, allowing you to present your products to consumers through as many online distribution channels as you choose.

How much will it cost to sell my products through Tas e-Connect?

There is a 2.8% commission charged to completed bookings that come through V3’s Open Booking Exchange. If no booking is made, no cost is incurred. The connection fee for the OBX is charged on the gross amount at the end of each month by direct debit to your nominated bank account.

In addition to the cost of the OBX connection, individual distributors will have their own pricing and commission model in order to distribute through their channel. You have the opportunity to view a distributor’s terms and conditions (including commission rates) before you select them as a distributor of your product and you can opt in or out of these agreements at any time.

If you are using a property management system, or some other front-of-house system, there will be costs associated with this for each operator to determine.

What are the benefits of Tas e-Connect for tourism operators?

Tas e-Connect is about giving tourism operators the ability to be seen more widely and bought more quickly in the global tourism market.

Tas e-Connect is also about delivering Tasmanian product information to consumers when and how they want it.

By using the open booking exchange technology, Tas e-Connect gives you control over your business decision-making, giving you the ability to select which distributors you wish to book your product; stop participating with distributor/s at any time; customise prices for different distributors; and always remain in control of your own inventory.

The OBX also allows you to view a distributor’s Terms and Conditions and commercial terms before agreeing to the contract so you can simply opt in (or out) of distribution channels.

Tas e-Connect is designed to significantly reduce the time spent on trying to manage multiple distribution channels. It is also designed to remove the requirement for tourism businesses to manage multiple allotments or allocations.

With a low cost of implementation Tas e-Connect opens up opportunities for small accommodation suppliers, tour, attraction, hire and event operators to be booked online.

Why do I need to be 'e-commerce enabled' and what does this mean?

If you want your tourism products to be seen and booked online through the Tas e-Connect open booking exchange technology, your business must be 'e-commerce enabled'. This means that you are able to commit real-time availability of your products and allow a consumer to make a booking and instantly transact funds online.

There a range of ways you can get your tourism business e-commerce enabled and we encourage you to contact us to find out how your business can get online. Contact the Tas e-Connect Help Desk on 1300 303 259 or email taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au for additional learning and development opportunities.

Where can I find out more about getting connected through Tas e-Connect?

Tourism Tasmania and V3 will provide individual help desk support over the telephone and by email to all Tasmanian tourism industry operators wanting to know more about getting connected through Tas e-Connect.

Tourism Tasmania’s corporate website www.tourismtasmania.com.au is a valuable resource with information tailored to tourism industry operators wanting to know more about Tas e-Connect.

For information on how you can get involved in the Tas e-Connect open booking exchange and how it will work for your business please contact the V3 Help Desk on 1300 266 582.

For general enquiries on Tas e-Connect and the learning and development opportunities offered by Tourism Tasmania, contact the Tas e-Connect Help Desk on 1300 303 259 or email taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au

What if I need help connecting to Tas e-Connect?

A dedicated Help Desk is available to anyone wanting to connect through Tas e-Connect.

For specific information on how you can get involved in the Tas e-Connect open booking exchange and how it will work for your business please contact the V3 Help Desk on 1300 266 582.

How do I receive payments for bookings received through Tas e-Connect?

Each distributor sets the payment method for each of its suppliers when selling via the Open Booking Exchange.

The distributor has two payment options:

  • 'On Account' – where the product supplier is required to submit an invoice to the distributor in order to receive payment.
  • 'Direct' – at the time of booking the full booking amount is deposited directly into the product supplier’s bank account. The OBX will then direct debit the distributor’s fee monthly from your account and pay the distributor.

As a supplier, you will be able to read each distributor’s payment method in their Terms and Conditions available through the Open Booking Exchange before you decide to opt-in.

How will a consumer know that I have an online booking facility?

If a consumer goes to a website that is a distributor of your product through the OBX, the consumer will be able to book your product in real time. How your product is presented will depend on what the online distributor wants the customer experience to be. The OBX is invisible to the consumer – it is the connecting technology that allows the customer to search for and book your product online and in real time.

Each distribution channel – such as Discovertasmania.com, About-Australia.com, or an operator's own website – will have a unique look and way of presenting the booking process to the consumer. If you have your own website and you are connected to the OBX, you will be able to place a “Book Now” button on your site and consumer bookings will be made directly into your reservation system through the OBX.

Do I need to be online when the customer makes a booking through the OBX?

The OBX allows purchases to occur online and in real time. This happens instantly and automatically – there is no need for you to be personally online for this to occur, although your inventory and booking point must be available in real time for a booking to be made. Through the OBX the customer will receive immediate confirmation of the booking, you will receive payment instantly and your inventory will be automatically updated.

Do I need broadband Internet?

Broadband is ideal for businesses distributing product through Tas e-Connect’s open booking exchange. However, it is possible to operate with a dial-up or satellite internet connection, or through a third-party intermediary.

If you have any questions about broadband access in your area please contact the Tas e-Connect Help Desk on 1300 303 259 or email taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au

How will I know if the OBX will work with my current property management system?

There are currently six property management systems connected to the Open Booking Exchange: RMS, Fidelio, Respax, Frontdesk, Seatem and JBS.

If your business currently operates one of these systems then you are e-commerce enabled and have the functionality to connect your products to the Open Booking Exchange.

This list is constantly growing as new systems sign up to the OBX. Call the Tas e-Connect Help Desk on 1300 303 259 for more information on getting connected.

What if my current reservation system is not integrated to the OBX?

If you are currently using an established property management system or wholesaler and they are not currently integrated to the OBX, you are encouraged to contact your system supplier and request that they integrate.

For systems that are interested in integrating to Tas e-Connect, they should contact Stephen Wells at V3 on (02) 9227 3903 or email swells@v3leisure.com .

Can a double booking occur through the OBX?

No. The OBX goes to the source of the inventory which is live and in real time. Every distributor can see all availability at the same time. The confirmed credit card transaction locks the room away and if someone is trying to book the same room, the booking will not go through. Even if someone comes to the front door of your business, if you are using a front-of-house reservation system then the booking will be reflected instantly.

Is Tas e-Connect and the OBX the same as Book Tasmania and the Frontdesk system?

No. Tas e-Connect is an initiative from Tourism Tasmania for the tourism industry to help you get your product into the online market through a range of distribution channels. It is about giving the tourism industry access to the Open Booking Exchange technology and the opportunities presented by online bookability.

V3 is the technology provider Tourism Tasmania has contracted to deliver the Open Booking Exchange technology for the tourism industry in Tasmania.

What you know as Book Tasmania no longer exists. It was a company that leased the property management system Frontdesk from V3 and on-sold to tourism operators. V3 now sells Frontdesk directly to tourism operators under this name.

Will I still be able to distribute my product through traditional channels?

Yes, the traditional channels for distribution will still be available to you. Tourism Tasmania will continue to work with traditional distributors to ensure Tasmanian tourism products are available through the widest range of channels.

I manage my inventory through a channel management system – will these by connected through the OBX?

The channel management systems SiteMinder and Channel Manager are currently in the process of being integrated to the OBX. Once this process is complete, tourism operators managing their inventory through these channels will be able to allocate inventory and be visible and bookable online and in real time.

How will Tourism Tasmania assist me to get connected through Tas e-Connect?

Tourism Tasmania is offering long-term support to the tourism industry to assist them to become e-commerce enabled and to ensure consumers can search and book Tasmanian products online.

The Tas e-Connect Help Desk is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday on 1300 303 259 or by email on taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au .

Additional Tas e-Connect e-Learning Programs and training tools are also being offered to the Tasmanian tourism industry. Information about these can be found under Learning and Development on this Tas e-Connect website.

What if I know very little about computers and doing business online – can I still get involved?

Tourism Tasmania recognises that everyone is at a different stage with this. We strongly recommend the Tourism E-Kit as a first point of referral for those wanting to get the basics of doing business online. We will also be offering training and workshops over the winter period. Once you have reviewed this material, you may decide to get online yourself and connect to the OBX, or you may choose to have someone else hold your inventory and distribute on your behalf.

For Distributors

What is a distributor?

A distributor is a consumer-facing business owned either by the private sector or government, that provides content (including product) or a pathway to making a booking or both.

I am thinking about becoming a distributor of Tasmanian product, what do I need to do?

In the first instance, you need to contact Tourism Tasmania and discuss how you want to take Tasmanian product to market.

If you are considering digital distribution, Tourism Tasmania will work with you to facilitate your connectivity to the Tas e-Connect open booking exchange system. And if you’re looking at other means of distribution, Tourism Tasmania will be able to work with you to determine which model best suits your business needs.

Connecting you to Tasmanian product is just one of the ways Tourism Tasmania can support your business. Through a customised approach Tourism Tasmania can develop a partnership plan that lets your business maximise the selling potential of Tasmania.

To talk to Tourism Tasmania about becoming a distributor of Tasmanian product, contact the Tas e-Connect Help Desk on 1300 303 259 or email taseconnect@tourismtasmania.com.au .

What are the benefits of V3’s Open Booking Exchange platform for distribution partners?

The Open Booking Exchange (OBX) allows a distributor to display and the consumer to book live product in real time.

The OBX allows you to offer the best price to their consumers all of the time and exchange a range of products including accommodation, tours, attractions and events.

You can also set your terms and conditions and commission rates through the OBX, which can be opted in and out of through a simple online process.

For more information on the benefits of integrating to the OBX, contact V3 Help Desk on 1300 266 582.

Can I sell a package through the Open Booking Exchange?

Yes. The package will form a part of the inventory held in your property management system or the inventory you have accessed from your supplier. The customer does not build a dynamic package but rather they will buy a packaged solution that you have presented to them through your website or online distributor.

Will the Tasmanian Visitor Information Centres be able to connect through Tas e-Connect and the OBX?

Yes. A number of Tasmanian visitor centres are already connected through the Tas e-Connect initiative including Hobart, Port Arthur and Devonport. As well as their traditional role, visitor centres are an important distribution channel for tourism operators that do not want to connect themselves, but want to use the centre as a third-party distributor.

Can wholesalers access product through the Open Booking Exchange?

Yes. Wholesalers are accessing product through the OBX and distributing through their channels. Rather than relying on allotment, the OBX allows wholesalers to access product in real time.

Discovertasmania.com

Do I need to be connected to the OBX to sell my product through Discovertasmania.com?

In order for a consumer to purchase your product on discovertasmania.com you will first need to be connected to the Open Booking Exchange. Secondly, you will also need to have selected discovertasmania.com as a distributor of your product.

Can a consumer see my product sold through different suppliers on Discovertasmania.com?

Yes. A consumer can see your product for sale through your nominated suppliers if they have selected discovertasmania.com as a distribution channel.

Consumers are very sophisticated in their buying behaviour and will determine who to purchase your product through based on a number of considerations including the inclusions, exclusions, terms and conditions and of course, price.

What changes have been made to discovertasmania.com since it went live with OBX booking functionality

The improvements to discovertasmania.com give users the ability search for the availability and rates of all bookable Tasmanian tourism products directly from the website homepage and complete the booking instantly online.

Individual product pages have also been redesigned to feature the search and booking functionality and clearly present each product’s available point of booking that has selected discovertasmania.com as a distributor.

Consumers also benefit from improvements to the website’s search tools, which make it easier and quicker for them to find products and experiences online and convert their interest into a booking.

For more information on discovertasmania.com and the marketing and distribution opportunities it presents, see the Discovertasmania.com prospectus [PDF 1.42 MB]

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