Relaunched website pioneers new accommodation system
Visitors to Canterbury can now weigh up multiple accommodation options at once, with the relaunch of Christchurch and
Canterbury Tourism’s website this week (www.christchurchnz.com).
The highlight of the newly designed website is the ability to search numerous reservation systems at the same time. This
allows visitors to find the most suitable accommodation from the broadest possible selection.
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism is the first regional tourism organisation in the country to utilise the new ‘all in
one’ service. Designed by tourism specialist website design company, Cabbage Tree Creative, the system delivers
availability and pricing information held by reservation companies Vianet, BookIt, Seekom and Global Availability, with
AA coming online in the next few weeks.
Cabbage Tree Creative owner Lawrence Smith says visitors today want instant information on availability and immediate
responses to booking requests. Internet bookings outstrip any other source of reservations, especially for the
accommodation sector.
“Visitors are more likely to use a website that can provide the broadest possible options so they can easily compare
rates and availability. They don’t want to waste time having to visit lots of different websites.”
“It’s also a significant development for Canterbury tourism operators; because even if they only have their rooms in one
reservation system, they still know Christchurch’s official and most popular travel site will be able to distribute
their information.”
Cheltenham House Bed and Breakfast owner Maree Earl of Hanmer Springs is delighted with the development.
“I think it's excellent. People are using the technology more and a lot of our bookings are coming this way."
Managing several online reservation systems is not feasible, so it was fantastic to hear their details would be included
in the new integrated Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism’s website service.
"I definitely think it's the way of the future. From our point of view, as a full time tourism business, this is an
efficient and effective way of
marketing.”
Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism’s Chief Executive Christine Prince says “This is a new opportunity for our online
marketing and we are focused on delivering the best service for both our visitors and our business partners in the
region. Customers can easily find product information and book packages, taking advantage of the special ski and spring
deals that are available and the ease that they can now purchase them.”
As well as the booking system, Christchurchnz.com boasts a cleaner design. “With the new design, there’s a greater focus
on the interactive element and updating the website with a new, modern and more dynamic look and feel. Customers want to
be able to easily access information, act on the information they see online, make bookings and know they have made a
good choice”, says Christine.
“The upgraded website demonstrates our continuing emphasis on making the website, Canterbury’s official source of travel
information for the region, a vital and integrated part of our overall marketing strategy.”
ENDS