Benefits of Selling Gift Vouchers
An interesting development since the COVID-19 pandemic has been how different forms of marketing accommodation have taken off. Online gift giving of travel vouchers has grown in popularity dramatically as people haven't been able to visit friends and family so they have had to connect virtually.
To add to this, domestic travellers are rediscovering their country as a destination and international travel is rebounding there will be an increased demand for tourism overall. We are also seeing direct bookings with accommodation soar.
These factors combine to increase your website traffic and opportunity to sell more than just a typical booking for room nights.
Think online vouchers. If you can provide a way on your website for visitors to instantly buy a range of voucher options for your accommodation then you are not only creating a new year-round revenue stream, but also an avenue for promotional activity.
"We would definitely recommend getting a voucher page incorporated into your website to help increase sales."
Anna - Lakestone Lodge, Lake Pukaki
Why people might buy accommodation vouchers:
· As a gift for friends and family
· Guests who loved it so much they want to give it to someone else to experience
· As a way to pre-book and having flexibility as to when it can be used
· Driven by campaign initiatives – Christmas, Mothers Day, Valentines Day - Any special occasion!
Benefits for your business:
· Year-round cashflow for your business
· Voucher holders often spend more to upgrade or extend their booking
· A certain percentage of vouchers are never redeemed, 100% profit!
· Allows you to easily create voucher promotions
· People will buy them knowing they allow for flexibility compared to booking set dates
· Can list with the Pure NZ Gift Voucher campaign
What type of vouchers you can sell:
· Your room nights, as a per night rate
· A package offer including room nights and extras
· Dollar value amounts e.g $50, $100, $200
How to sell them:
· Bought and paid for online through your website
· Set up different voucher types including choosable dollar amounts and packages
· Option to send to the recipient by email or as a physical voucher
"As B&B operators, ResBook offers an easy to use navigation system, enabling us to track all bookings from enquiries to final payment & thank-you emails. Using ResBook has increased our reservations and given us peace of mind operating our B&B."
Fay & Lindsay Turner, Finlay Banks Boutique Bed & Breakfast
ResBook has been the perfect fit for our business, the system is easy to use and navigate and has many wonderful features that allow for quick look ups and amendments. The customer service team is quick to respond and can offer advice and solutions to all my queries, which is brilliant.
Sarah Smith, Fallow Ridge Retreat
"We've been extremely pleased with the new website, ResBook and channel manager! Bookings exceeding our expectations!"
Charlie, GM, Raglan Palm Beach Motel
ResBook has enabled us to streamline different booking channel managers and made it much easier for us to take direct bookings.
Trish Delamore, Lavender Hill