Online Reservation Program Software Helping Tour Operators Automate their Booking Processes

Aug. 1, 2011 - PRLog -- Scottsdale, Ariz. – Tour operators in many parts of the country remain busy through the fall months as individuals and families partake in autumn festivals and events, sightseeing excursions and vacation activities. Managing these reservation times and customer information can be a tedious and time-consuming process for tour businesses and their staff, which is why more and more are turning to Appointment-Plus online reservation program software to help automate and improve their booking procedures.

A leader in online reservation program software since 2001, Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com/index.php) is the perfect scheduling tool for managing city tours, fall activities and programs, boat rentals and tours, and other services that rely on accurate and dependable reservation booking processes. It offers such beneficial features as:

• Online customer self-scheduling, which allows individuals to book their own reservations when it’s more convenient for them, 24 hours a day.
• Automated e-mail and text message reminders sent by the system prior to a scheduled reservation date and time.
• Online customer payment options.
• Robust record-keeping and reporting capabilities.
• E-marketing through iContact.

Other functionality popular among tour operators include repeat customer reminders, sent out automatically after a specified period of time has elapsed between reservations; and gift certificates that customers can purchase for family and friends.

“Most tour operators and their customers will agree that booking a reservation in the more traditional manner—over the phone or by e-mail—is not the most efficient process, especially for those used to conducting their daily tasks online,” says Bob La Loggia, CEO of Appointment-Plus. “Our online reservation program software is a ‘win-win’ for both tour operators and customers alike.”

Because it’s Web-based, Appointment-Plus does not require any installations, downloads or additional hardware. All that’s necessary is an Internet connection. A tour operator can add an Appointment-Plus-supplied “Book Now” button or scheduler link to their Web site, Facebook, Twitter or other social media page, newsletter, e-mail or other form of communication to their customers. Once clicked, the button or link will take the customer directly to the tour operator’s online scheduler, where he or she can view availability and services and then quickly book the reservation, all without any additional action from the tour operator or staff.

Pricing starts at $39 per month, with no long-term contracts. All signups receive a complementary training session with a professional set-up coach during their 15-day free trial period of Appointment-Plus.

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About Appointment-Plus: Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com/index.php) is the leading online appointment-scheduling system, serving organizations in 11 countries ranging from one-person businesses to Fortune 500 companies. With over 10 million end users across 100 industries, Appointment-Plus is the preferred online scheduling program for tour operators, personal trainers, colleges and universities, holistic practitioners, salons, shipping docks, government agencies, health care providers, financial institutions, tour operators, and many other types of organizations.  Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., over 70 million appointments have been booked through Appointment-Plus since its launch in 2001.

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About Appointment-Plus: Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com/index.php) is the leading online appointment-scheduling system, serving organizations in 11 countries ranging from one-person businesses to Fortune 500 companies. With over 10 million end users across 100 industries, Appointment-Plus is the preferred online scheduling program for tour operators, personal trainers, colleges and universities, holistic practitioners, salons, shipping docks, government agencies, health care providers, financial institutions, tour operators, and many other types of organizations. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., over 70 million appointments have been booked through Appointment-Plus since its launch in 2001.