NSW Connect
Destination NSW has implemented a single booking platform called NSW Connect to provide online, real-time bookings on its official tourism websites sydney.com and visitnsw.com. This means accommodation, attractions or tour inventory can be booked on our sites.
According to the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) around 60 per cent of travellers book online when the product is available. NSW Connect means potential visitors will be able to research and book their holiday in one place. This is the next important step in the evolution of Destination NSW’s official tourism websites and presents an opportunity for the NSW industry. Other State Tourism Organisations (STOs) in Australia are implementing the same “single” booking platform.
This single booking platform is called the Tourism Exchange Australia (TXA) and NSW Connect is the NSW version of TXA. The other STOs are also using TXA. To connect to TXA you need an online booking system. Your current provider may already be connected or you may need to get new software. The cost of this depends on which system you choose.
If you decide to participate in NSW Connect, a Book button, calendar and pricing information will be placed on your entry on our websites. See examples below:
A major benefit of TXA is that you will no longer have to manually provide separate inventory to many third party distributors. Currently tourism businesses provide inventory to distributors such as Wotif, LastMinute, RatesToGo, etc. The problem with this is that tourism businesses potentially have put many more rooms or seats in the market than they actually have to sell.
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This diagram explains broadly how the system works. Click on the image to enlarge. With NSW Connect tourism businesses only need to connect to one platform – the TXA. Third party distributors sell from this single source of inventory. This substantially reduces the possibility of overbooking. See how the TXA has helped Blue Mountains tour operator River Deep Mountain High... |
See our industry presentation here.
Cost
The fee for bookings made through NSW Connect is 2.8%. This is a success fee only. Distributor commissions, if any, are additional depending on which website the booking is made on. Destination NSW will not charge a commission for bookings made through visitnsw.com or sydney.com for a one-year trial period. Once the trial period is complete, a review of the commercial model will be conducted.
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Some tourism businesses may incur a cost in acquiring a TXA-connected booking system if they do not already have one or want to change the one they currently use. This diagram explains the NSW Connect cost structures. Click on the image to enlarge. |
How to participate
Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts, Caravan Parks, Guesthouses, Farmstays >
Accredited Visitor Information Centres >
More information
V3 is the technology partner for the TXA. For any inquires about NSW Connect and the TXA you can call V3 on 1300 266 582. V3 is happy to answer all your technical questions, including inquiries about your particular system and how it will work with NSW Connect.
For more information and answers to frequently asked questions download our NSW Connect brochure. (PDF file, 505kb)
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