Tourism launches new hotel booking tool

The Bermuda Department of Tourism  has launched the first phase of a new booking engine tool on the destination’s official website, GoToBermuda.com, to provide visitors with a more efficient and comprehensive trip planning and purchasing experience.

Launched in March, phase one improves the ease of finding and booking accommodations. Consumers at any stage of the travel planning process may search and choose based on location or type of desired property, including cottages, hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts, suites and apartments. When ready to purchase, visitors can conveniently find the booking widget on any page throughout the site, which also provides the best available rate with no additional fee.

Further, technical support is more readily available for those consumers needing assistance via an e-mail address provided on the site.

Once all three planned phases for the booking engine are completed, the Department of Tourism’s site will allow travelers to purchase accommodations, flights and a new inclusion of on-island activities all in one central, reliable, and secure location.

Minister of Tourism Development and Transport, The Hon. Shawn Crockwell, JP, MP, noted that the goal of the new web tool is not only to improve the visitor experience but to increase sales and lend support to hotels and attractions without other online booking capabilities. “We believe this new tool makes planning a trip to Bermuda easier than ever and will help lead the consumer more effectively from the planning to the booking stage,” said Minister Crockwell. “We believe our visitors can spend less time worrying about the planning process and more time looking forward to the great vacation that awaits them.”

The new booking engine is provided by VisitUs, a Tennessee-based destination solutions provider chosen for their industry experience and expertise through an RFP process conducted by the Department of Tourism. Kristin Intress, VisitUs CEO stated, “We are pleased to provide Bermuda the booking capability that visitors will find easy-to-use and expands the booking experience to all that Bermuda has to offer.  The technology also includes marketing tools that maximize consumer spend such as flash sales, pre/post emails, and social media integration.” VisitUs is a member of the Destination Marketing Association International, which is dedicated to improving the effectiveness of over 3,500 professionals from 600 destination marketing organizations in over 20 countries.

VisitUs will be distributing emails to hotels and activity providers encouraging participation with the booking widget, a service providing targeted visibility and the option to book excursions in advance of traveling. Those that register by May 6 will receive complimentary implementation to the program. Hotels supported by Pegasus do not need to take action. For partners that have not received an email from VisitUs within the next week, please contact [email protected].