Online booking.

The British Hotel Guest Survey reveals that 70% of business travelers and 64% of leisure travellers use the internet to make hotel reservations. 

The trend has continued to rise steeply since 2000 when the levels were 11% and 4% respectively. Travellers booking through individual hotel web sites continues to increase, the survey found. 

The outcome of this survey doesn’t surprise me at all and it’s good to see that more and more tourism businesses are embracing online bookings. For more info see:

www.e-availability.com
www.eviivo.com

We have good experiences with both systems so feel free to contact me to discuss your requirements.

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No. 1 on Tripadvisor

Just got an enthusiastic email from Andrew Johnson of the excellent Camera Obscura attraction who notified me of the fact that they are now the number one tourist attraction in Edinburgh on Tripadvisor.

I met Andrew a few months ago during an e-commerce workshop in Edinburgh and I had the pleasure of visiting him and his team a few weeks later for a follow up session. As the Camera Obscura attraction is all about visual illusions it’s a good idea to use video and photo sharing web sites like YouTube and Flickr to give people a flavour of what’s on offer. The team was already experimenting with these channels but needed a little bit more info on how to use it more effectively.

I know that a lot of Tourism businesses are sceptical about using social networks and Tripadvisor in particular but when you read the latest five star review of Camera Obscura on Tripadvisor how can you ignore it?

The latest five star review on trip advisor starts ‘
‘Heard of this on Trip Advisor and was looking forward to seeing it.’

Not to see that by using social media you will get lots of positive reviews or recommendations. In Andrew’s own words; “you only get great reviews if you are offering a very good experience in the first place!”

I couldn’t agree more.

If you are ever in Edinburgh again visit the Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile close to the Castle. It is a great experience which will “wow” you from start to finish. A great day out and not only for kids!

Camera Obscura web site
Tripadvisor reviews
Youtube video’s
Facebook
Flickr

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Highlands Tourism Awards, Inverness

Last night I attended the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness. I was invited by Trish Shorthouse of the Inverness Film Commission and we had a great night. The organisation was excellent and there was a great buzz. We shared our table with Ian Chapman of Gordon & MacPhail, Eric McGillivray of Moray Council, Helen Carmichael of Highland Council, Joanne Blanusa consultant in business excellence, Becky Thomson sound specialist for tv and film, my lovely wife Pamela , Geoff Wilcock our business partner and director of Open Brolly and our excellent host Trish Shorthouse of the Film Commission.

A great night with lots of networking and fun. We were hoping that the Keith Tourism Action Group would win an award this year for their excellent work trying to unite the Tourism industry in the Keith area but unfortunately this year they missed out on it. Shame, because I know how hard they worked on it. Maybe next year….

See below the winners announced on Friday night:

Best Visitor Experience:
The Ice Factor

Community Tourism:
Poolewe Ceilidh Partnership

Customer Care:
Pottery House B&B

Green Award:
Shetland Amenity Trust

Highland Dining Out Experience:
Bosville Hotel and Chandlery Restaurant

Innovation:
Booth Scotland Ltd.

New Tourism Business:
Broad Bay House

Tourism People Development:
Centre of Applied Tourism and Hospitality Management (CATHM)

Young Ambassador of the Year:
Breta Kaczmaruzyk

Congratulations to all the winners and to those who were shortlisted. Well done to all!

For more info see the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards web site.

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Blogging workshop for the novice

4TM-services who just opened their “Social Media” Training Centre in Forres are organising a workshop on the advantages of blogging for Tourism businesses. Blogging is not just for people with too much time on their hands writing about their hobbies or daily lives but can be a very cost effective way to attract more business to your web site and to communicate with your online customers.

If you like to learn on how to connect with your online customers then register your interest for a hands on workshop on blogging led by industry professionals David Sim and Rene Looper. The workshop starts at 10am and finishes at 1pm when you will have created your own blog which you can update and maintain.

Cost is £85 + VAT and includes lunch, course materials and a certificate. 
Monday 24th of November, 10am – 1pm. 4TM Training Centre, Horizon Scotland, Forres IV36 2AB.
To book your place click here.

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How to manage your online reputation?

Just finished three workshops for the Association of Scottish Self Caterers on “How to manage your on-line reputation” at the MacDonalds Highland Resort in Aviemore. My tips on how to manage Tripadvisor and other “Social Media” web sites went down well and it was good to get lots of positive feedback afterwards. In fact some of the businesses who were there wanting me to come down to Perth to deliver a similar workshop for them. It’s good to see that so many people are taking “web 2.0” techniques serious and taking control of their online reputation. Because it’s important….

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Social Media Training Centre Launch

SOCIAL MEDIA (Web 2.0) REVEALED AT FREE EVENT
Highlands in a UK first, as social media training centre launched.

There will be a free, lunchtime talk on social media and social networking at Horizon Scotland on Forres Enterprise Park. The event will run from 12:30 to 1:30pm on Wednesday 8 October 2008, and a buffet lunch will be provided.

The talk is aimed at a broad audience:individuals, businesses and pubic organisations.

Most people will know social media through sites like YouTube,
Facebook, Blogs and Podcasts. However, it’s not just for teenagers.
Older generations are now heavy users of the internet: catching up
with friends or taking part in discussion. Some businesses are using
social media technology to get closer to their customers, engaging
with them rather than just advertising to them. Larger organisations
are using social media internally to bring their staff closer together
as a team.

Two industry experts, David Sim and Rene Looper will
explain in plain English what the technology is, how it works and how
businesses can use social media to engage with their online customers.

The event also marks the launch of the 4TM Social Media Training
Centre at Horizon Scotland, the first of its kind in the UK.
Participants will have the opportunity to sign up for hands on
workshops on specialist topics like marketing using social media or
the use of social media to promote organisational change.

Examples of hands on workshops offered:

• Setting up a blog
• Creating a Facebook page
• Set up a Google Adwords campaign
• How to manage your online reputation
• How to deal with review web sites like Tripadvisor
• How YouTube can promote your business

 

Lunch will be provided, free of charge, courtesty of Horizon Scotland.

To book your free place, please contact Reception@horizon-scotland.com
or call 01309 678100.

Facebook users can book a place on that site.

For further information about the event, please
contact David Sim on 01309 678146 or myself on 07926061230

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Film Crew Friendly pilot scheme review

What an excellent day it was! Over 30 businesses attended the workshop and were treated to a wonderful insight of how film crews work when visiting an area. First of all, Trish Shorthouse of the Film Office gave an overview of the role of the Scottish Highlands and Islands Film Commission (SHIFC) and the value of business generated by film crews.

The first speaker Richard Godfrey, a location manager working free lance for several film and commercial productions gave an interesting insight of the mind set of a location manager and how he relies on local knowledge when visiting an area. The location manger needs to translate a script in images and is always on the look out for locations that are perfect to the story line of a film. Richard was impressed with the Moray and speyside area as he never been to this area before.

Sharon Howat was the second speaker of the day and gave us useful information on dealing with film crews when they arrive in the area or on your doorstep. Very practical information and well received.

The last speaker was Dick Beech, who gave his personal view on working with film crews and the message was clearly “flexibility”. Which is not rocket science and should be the norm in hospitality anyway.

All in all a good day and most people who were present signed up for the pilot scheme. Since last week I’ve received even more requests of businesses that want to be part of this. If you missed this event but like to be involved with this scheme send me an email.

Thanks to Trish, Richard, Sharon and Dick for giving up their time to inform us on the opportunities available for B&B’s Guesthouses, Hotels, Self caterers and caravan parks when signing up for the pilot scheme.

More info on the www.filmcrewfriendly.com web site.

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Film Crew Friendly Scheme

There is an exciting and unique opportunity for all accommodation providers in Moray, Speyside, Aviemore and Loch Ness coming up. The Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission (SHIFC) and 4TM services based in Forres have teamed up to develop a scheme aimed at accommodating film crews.

On the 1st of October a workshop will be held to inform the tourism industry how to benefit from being “film crew friendly” and to launch a scheme to put the area at the forefront of the working with film and TV productions in the UK . The scheme will explain to the accommodation sector what film and TV productions require and, if its appropriate, help promote their business.

Trish Shorthouse of SHIFC says “there is a big demand from film crews looking for accommodation that is suitable. Film crews have different requirements compared with the average person or business executive, and they may stay in an area for anything from a few days to several months bringing valuable economic benefit to communities. This is a great chance for businesses in the Highlands to have an advantage over those elsewhere in Scotland and the UK.”

4TM services is to implement the Film Crew Friendly Tourism scheme on behalf of SHIFC using its thirty years of experience working with the film and tourism industries. Rene Looper (who is a known and experienced figure in the Moray/Speyside Tourism industry) and Geoff Wilcock, both founders of 4TM services,  will be responsible for the implementation of this scheme. 
VisitScotland, who started the Film Crew Welcome scheme a few years ago currently don’t have the resources to progress the scheme but are happy to endorse this initiative which will build on the research and development which was carried out.

On the 1st of October, businesses can attend a free half day workshop at Horizon Scotland in Forres. Find out more at www.filmcrewfriendly.com  where the details of the scheme will be explained or phone Horizon Scotland on 01309 678100.

Rene says, “we’re very excited about this unique partnership as we’re also cooperating with other neighbouring area’s which really makes sense. We also have some interesting speakers lined up from the film industry who will give the businesses an insight into this potentially huge market”

Sharon Howitt,  an experienced and knowlegeable Production Co-ordinator of films like  ‘The Jacket’, ‘One Last Chance’ and  ‘Moray’ together with Mick Ratman, President of the Guild of Location Managers will be sharing their experiences and inform us on the opportunities to get involved with this scheme.

The workshop will be held on the 1st of October from 2-5pm at the Horizon Scotland building on the Enterprise park in Forres.

To register for this free event see the new web site at www.filmcrewfriendly.com , email rene@4tm-services.com or phone Horizon Scotland at 01309 678100

 

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Hello!

Hi and welcome to my blog!

My name is Rene Looper. I am an independent Tourism consultant with Web 2.0 expertise and have been in online-Tourism marketing and communications since 1999 whilst running my own 4 star hotel business in Forres, Scotland. 

Passionate for Tourism and offering excellent customer service, I started my new business Tuminds in June 2006. Most of my clients are economical development agencies and destination management organistations who  book me for their e-commerce/e-tourism workshops, presentations and our latest service, Web 2.0 projects.
But I also provide these services for any size Tourism and Retail businesses interested in effectively marketing their business using the new opportunities of Web 2.0

Why Tourism?

I love Tourism! Love the interaction between visitors and love to improve the quality of the Tourism offering. Tourism should be an industry that is working together on making connections with visitors but also between the different sectors in Tourism. Unfortunately that’s not always the case…. That’s where TuMinds can help, we specialise in making connections

Why Web 2.0

Tourism is changing. We are increasingly dealing with customers who are very internet savy, very happy to book their holidays, flights, accommodation and car rental online. Also open to other  Yes, and I would love to work internationally. Call me, if you are looking for an energetic speaker and no-nonsense consultant. I have no degree in Tourism, just bags of hands on experience and enthusiasm! 🙂

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