If you’re running a tourist office, then providing visitors with accurate and helpful information is key. Just a few short years ago, travelers seeking assistance from tourist offices would expect handwritten directions, complicated printed maps, and the need to make telephone calls if they wanted to book tickets or transportation.
Fast forward to today and technology is transforming the way tourist offices handle these enquiries and run their day-to-day operations. Ultimately, the move toward technology and software is streamlining the way tourists gather information and enhancing the experience of travellers and tourism employees alike.
Read on to find out how technology can help you run your travel business.
The Importance of Payroll
Running a tourist office means you need to be kept up to date with the latest information, whilst employing other staff members to provide a thorough and informative experience and while this role can be demanding, it also comes with a variety of additional administrative responsibilities, such as paying your staff on time.
When you manage payroll manually, you’ll be faced with making potential errors, working through complicated systems and potentially making late payments due to a lack of organisation and time constraints. This is why more tourism-based businesses than ever are using a small business payroll solution to make the process much more efficient.
Using a payroll software system won’t only benefit your employees, it will also take the hassle out of running payroll by hand, thus saving you valuable time and energy. Handling payroll can be daunting, but with the right technology, you can focus on what you do best – helping tourists and providing a stellar customer experience.
Social media Enquiries
Social media plays an important role in the running of any tourism-based business. Helping you provide online customer service, social media means you have a bigger and better reach than ever before, helping you answer queries from holidaymakers and day-trippers within seconds. This social media based customer service can lead to more sales within your tourism office, and of course more footfall at your destination.
Providing Tour Information and Tours
Previously, most tourism offices would simply hand out maps to lost or intrigued travellers, encouraging them to find their own way. Today, technology has changed the way holidaymakers experience a new destination, with tourism offices now providing digitised maps and even smart-phone based tours that travellers can enjoy at their own pace.
Selling and Booking Tickets for Local Events
As a tourist guide, selling and booking tickets for local events is part of the job. Investing in online booking software can streamline the entire booking process, having receipts, passes and tickets sent straight to the customer’s phone within seconds. The sale of these tickets and other revenues are also collected and can be measured highlighting potential sale opportunities in the future or emphasizing areas that need more focus.
Technology and tourism go hand in hand, and utilising a variety of digital tools can help you provide a great experience for any traveller and streamline the daily operations of your staff.
