Here's some feedback from the local Tourism Partnerships:

West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership

“The Yorkshire DMS is helping accommodation, attraction, bar and restaurant providers in West Yorkshire improve their visibility on a regional, national and international basis. Increasingly the events calendars of destination websites are now the places to visit to find out what is going on in West Yorkshire. This is good for consumers and good for business.”

Simon Dunn, Chairman, West Yorkshire Tourism Partnership.

Yorkshire Dales & Harrogate Tourism Partnership

"The Yorkshire Dales and Harrogate area are embracing the new Yorkshire Destination Management System. Tourism businesses are aware of the importance of the internet and the modern traveller invariably researches potential areas on line. By embracing the DMS will allow all Dales and Harrogate businesses to make sure they are not missing out on this huge potential. It is a great opportunity for not only the area but the whole region to gain exposure to a greater audience."

Steve Macare, Chairman, Yorkshire Dales & Harrogate Tourism Partnership.

Yorkshire Moors & Coast Tourism Partnership

"The Destination Management system (Guestlink) is a vital tool
in driving business into our area and accommodation businesses. Already the system has proved invaluable across
the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Partnership area with many tourism operators benefiting through increased bookings and referrals.

The system has already facilitated over 2500 bookings into our area worth a staggering £320,000. The return on investment is fantastic for as little as £150 tourism accommodation operators can join and receive a share of this NEW business"

Clive Rowe-Evans, Chairman, Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership.

Yorkshire South Tourism

“The DMS provides a single tool for tourism businesses to access a wider audience and grow their business profile and potential. As a business efficiency, having to only provide information once and know that it is distributed worldwide through a variety of distribution channels is a distinct advantage and the value of business which is derived via the DMS will continue to grow. Here at Yorkshire South, we are actively encouraging our tourism partners to ensure they maximize the functions within the DMS – including online bookability and to pursue the opportunities this brings”.

Chris Welsh, Chair of the Board of Directors at Yorkshire South Tourism.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Tourism Partnership

“Trying to fit everything into 24 hours isn’t easy which is why I would encourage tourism businesses to take advantage of this great opportunity. The Guestlink online booking system will save you time whilst promoting your business to potential visitors across the globe; making it easier for them and more profitable for you.”

Highly acclaimed Playwright, John Godber is the Chairperson of Visit Hull & East Yorkshire.

Visit York

'We would urge all tourism businesses to update their availability on line as the benefits of on line bookings are immense. More and more of our new business is generated via the internet and it's vital that tourism businesses ensure they benefit from this.'

Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of Visit York.

But don't take our word for it, see how Guestlink is working for like minded tourism businesses...

The Regional DMS is reaping returns for Yorkshire tourism businesses participating with the system to provide online booking.

Over £2.6million worth of revenue has been generated and in excess of 19,000 bookings made, representing over 80,000 bednights. Bookings have been generated through the collective online marketing effort of Yorkshire Tourist Board, via its flagship consumer website www.yorkshire.com and the respective Area Tourism Partnership websites.

These results are just the start as more tourism operators are discovering the business and market potential of the internet. See some examples below:

Caroline Maltas from West Carlton Guest House in Aldbrough was astounded at how quickly the Regional DMS had an impact: "The guest house had bookings coming in online within two days of starting to use the system. We all find it incredibly easy to use and have all been very pleased with the site's layout.

"The feedback I have received has been extremely promising as our web page gives an easily accessible overview of our facilities, details of how to find us and what guests can find to do in the local area. I would certainly recommend the system!"

Jan Smith from Sneaton Castle commented:

"The system seems to be working much better than the old one. We have had a lot more bookings, especially online. We have really noticed the difference."

Sneaton Castle has received 17 bookings over the three months due to their commitment to updating information and providing real time availability.

Alison Barnes & Lionel Green from Crakehill Watermill commented on the number of online bookings made whilst on holiday recently in Vietnam...

“It really does bring a new meaning to air miles.” they said. “Every day we check Guestlink and our emails to see whether there have been any enquiries or bookings. Our holiday was no different – after all, we are still running our business, just with a little less effort that’s all.

“We answered a number of booking enquiries by email, checking availability via the Guestlink calendar and then went on to secure four online bookings representing a mix of repeat and new business. It was amazing to think that we were communicating with customers whilst on holiday in Vietnam – they had no idea!

“We are now finding Guestlink really easy to use and once we adopted the technology into part of our everyday business practices, it is both simple and straightforward to manage our business online, whether at home or abroad.”

_____

Ann Roe at River House, Malham said,

"Setting up Guestlink was not as complicated at it first looked. We opted for the book and reserve room option which still gives you more control over the bookings that come in; and they did come in! Since mid september i have received 38 online bookings through the system and we have got a link to our own website.

" What is great is that if there are any problems with setting up you can pop in to Ruth Graham, the Data Steward at Settle and she will talk it through with you. Or there is also the help line number for Guestlink and they will talk you through any problems you may have. The hardest thing for me we setting up the tariff page but now I am a dab-hand at it! Once you get the hang of it you just add tariffs and old ones are automatically deleted as the date runs out. So if you are a small bed and breakfast and want to try online booking for the first time as we were it is a really great start.

_____

The proprietor of Stoney End, Pamela Hague, has been using the Regional DMS since June 2007.

She said, "A few months in and thank goodness we now have a reliable on line booking system in place, which works! "In the first few months of using the system, we have received over £6,000 and bookings continue to come in on a regular basis.

"Stoney End is not an enormous multi roomed hotel with lots of staff, we have just three rooms and Mike, my husband, and I run the business as a team; having this facility saves us time and the financial returns to date are extremely encouraging."

Bookings for York through the new regional DMS have just passed the 10,000 mark for the first nine months of 2007. Consumers currently have a choice of 198 hotels and guest houses and 57 self catering properties.