Research by the British Hotel Guest Survey suggests that the number of travellers researching their holidays online is constantly rising and more and more people are looking to book accommodation online.
Statistics updated by Internet World Stats estimate an increase of 274.3% in Internet users in Europe compared to the year 2000. According to this research, the UK ranks second in the top ten Internet using countries in Europe with 43 million people using the Internet on a regular basis. (Germany, a key market for the South West region, being the number one with 55 million Internet users - 67% of the country's population).
eviivo, the provider of a fully integrated property management system linking with accommodation businesses own websites, local/national tourist board websites and more than 40 leading travel websites has been rapidly growing its customer base in the UK and now has more than 3000 smaller accommodation business users. eviivo is seeing a consistent and significant rise in online bookings transacted through frontdesk.
South West England has always been a stronghold for eviivo, at the end of July 2009, 952 accommodation businesses in the South West were using frontdesk (compared to 643 in July 2008). In 2008, direct bookings made through the websites of all B&Bs, hotels, guest houses and self-catering accommodation using frontdesk in South West England generated a revenue of £1.6 million. In the first seven months of 2009, this figure has already risen to almost £5 million, with frontdesk users in the South West enjoying an average occupancy of 65% in July, and an average booking value of £165 (£140 in July 2008).
In response to this continued growth in the online booking market, eviivo is continuing to invest heavily into online marketing through Google campaigns to drive visitors to accommodation businesses with online availability.
In order to find out more information regarding this article and eviivo frontdesk, please contact Eviivo's South West Regional Product Manager:
Matt Bowkett
Tel: 01392 676404
email: matt.bowkett@eviivo.com
Date added: Wednesday 19th August 2009
Latest updated: Thursday 8th March 2012
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Comments
Anonymous
I heard today from my TIC who works closely with Visit Cornwall that the current Extranet will soon allow online bookings on the local TIC websites. I have been told this is the answer to people who feel evivo is too "strict" for their b&b
Comment made: Friday 20th November 2009
Anonymous
Have just spoken to a Visitcornwall representative recently and they have said that the booking online will not be available until the new year as thier system is not compatible to the Evivvo system yet as it is still running on the old version of new minds. I also spoke to the new minds representative and they did not know whether the system could do the special offers or discounts that you are able to do on Eviivo.
Comment made: Thursday 24th September 2009
Adrienne, Barn Cottage Bed and Breakfast.
As a 2 bedroom B&B (4*) I have used Eviivio for 2 or 3 years.It gets better and better. They are always working to increase their business and therefore your business. I have noticed a considerable increase in on line bookings this year. About the costs : If you don't get bookings, you don't pay any commission!Double bookings are avoided if the owner is on top of the game, ie, keeps eviivio and a paper diary up to date. Be professional! How do YOU book a holiday? On line? It has to be the way in the future. Go for it!
Comment made: Wednesday 16th September 2009
Neil Cole, Rose Cottage B&B
I agree with Richenda that many of my customers have multiple questions that endless ping pong in an email can't satisfy. My wife Jackie is on the phone for ages sometimes selling not just our quality business but the town as well. We have not experianced double bookings with the paper diary and it can be edited when required such as room switching to maximise bookings. Its just another cost that for small business with few rooms is not on. Ever thought of helping with a low tarrif for small B&B's
Comment made: Wednesday 2nd September 2009
Matt Bowkett, eviivo frontdesk
A response to each of the comments above in date order:1. I have made contact with SimplyScilly.co.uk and will continue discussions with them regarding the introduction of online booking on their website. They use the regional supplier New Mind to build their website of which eviivo frontdesk works with.2. Neil - Rose Cottage B&B - This was an unfortunate situation and can happen from time to time whatever form of diary system a B&B uses, whether it is computerised or paper-based. It is imperative that the business keeps their diary up-to-date; otherwise double bookings like this can happen. The benefit especially from eviivo frontdesk is that only one diary system is required to manage offline and online bookings through up to 40 different websites, reducing the chance of double bookings. Double bookings can occur more often when multiple allocations based booking systems along with paper diaries are used.3. Correcting the commission comment, eviivo charge 6%+vat, with website partners charging a commission in addition to the 6% which ranges from 0%-11%+vat (these websites are optional). The business is only paying a % of online bookings taken, any telephone bookings generated through the extensive marketing that businesses using eviivo receive is not charged, so that becomes free marketing!eviivo have increased bookings for many accommodation providers within the region and the provider is only paying a % on the online bookings the eviivo system generates. This is all new/additional bookings that the provider doesn't currently get anyway, so has a positive effect on profits!4. Thank you Sian for your support. You will need to speak with VisitCornwall regarding exact timeframes, however an email did go out to all their members a couple of weeks ago indicating eviivo users that are members of VisitCornwall will be able to take online bookings through VisitCornwall.com when their new website launches in the Autumn of this year.
Comment made: Wednesday 26th August 2009
Richenda S Carter, Lincombe House
Yes, would like our guests to have the option of booking on line but not at the cost these people charge. Far too expensive for small businesses and am not sure that we wold see the return. Also guests like to talk to us to ensure they are getting what they pay for!
Comment made: Thursday 27th August 2009
Sian Howells, Damara House, Padstow
I agree with the comment above. I am an Eviivo user and think its a great product. I have seen my bookings increase since signing up. However, there seems to be a big hold up with Visit Cornwall allowing online bookings on their and the TIC websites. Why is this? If SW tourism support it why is this not being pushed down to local level? Our own TIC is in support but they are waiting for the go ahead from further up the chain. Can someone explain what the problem is before the season ends?
Comment made: Tuesday 25th August 2009
Anonymous
Evio may be good for sum, but I do not see why we should pat them up to 16 % of our takings for the privalage
Comment made: Tuesday 25th August 2009
Neil, Rose Cottage B&B
I am still not sure this is suitable for a 4 bedroomed B&B. My personal experiance with online bookings was blown away when I booked a room on-line at a B&B in St Ives only to find that it was double booked due to a caller on the phone and records not being updated. Then there is the dependance on something that still lets you down from time to time. Cant beet the one to one for me.
Comment made: Monday 24th August 2009
Anonymous
this is great but its a shame that local authorities are not always supportive of including on line booking on their tourism web sites ie the isles of scilly one simplyscilly.co.uk
Comment made: Friday 21st August 2009
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