New Zealand tech start-up Book Me Bob is supporting tourism and hospitality businesses to build revenue through the direct sale of vouchers with the launch of aiva.
The automated voucher system allows businesses to sell fully-branded vouchers on their company website, without the costs of using a third-party platform.
Best known for its AI chatbot platform, Book Me Bob sees a renewed demand for the humble voucher in the tourism industry in the wake of natural disasters and political unrest.
“Customer’s needs and expectations have changed rapidly, and they are now embracing the flexibility of vouchers which allow them to lock in today’s prices for travel tomorrow,” said Book Me Bob CEO and Co-Founder, David Thompson.
“While for businesses the benefits are obvious, it provides an instant cash injection and helps build brand loyalty.”
With the ability to offer discounts, incentives, value adds or gift vouchers on their own website, Book Me Bob says businesses have total control of the offer, timeframe, quantity and fine print. They can create, edit and remove deals in real time and receive instantaneous payment.
There are no initial cost or set-up fees and, instead of the high commissions typically charged by third-party providers, aiva offers lower pay-as-you go pricing.
Thompson believes it’s a “gamechanger” for the tourism industry.
“Being tourism and hospitality professionals, the recovery of the industry is deeply important to Team Bob — that’s why we developed aiva,” he said.
And it’s not just for businesses. Tourism organisations will also reap the rewards of this innovative technology, Thompson explained, pointing to Destination Kaikoura as an example.
The tourism organisation is using aiva to showcase its member’s latest offers, and allow travellers to purchase accommodation, transport, attraction, and tour vouchers through the website. The system also allows Destination Kaikoura to gather important consumer data which can be used to inform future marketing activities.
“It’s a tough time for tourism which is why Destination Kaikoura embraced this new and innovative technology, to help convert bookings on behalf of our operators,” said, Destination Kaikoura Marketing and Events Engagement Manager, Luci Williams.
“We are proud to be the first regional tourism organisation to launch this platform on our website.”
To find out more about aiva, visit getaiva.com