Therefore, the booking system and the website should communicate with each other.
Blog
3 min
Blog
3 min
A destination often uses several systems simultaneously. Accommodations are booked in one system, ticket purchases or activities in another, and the information about the guests is in a third. When the systems are not connected to each other, the information on the web becomes incorrect or must be moved manually. Here we explain what an integration means and what it does for both the guest and the staff.
Systems commonly used by destinations
Many destinations use one booking system for accommodation and a separate system for tickets, activities or restaurant reservations. On top of that, there are point-of-sale (POS) systems at reception and in restaurants, a CRM or email marketing tool, and finally, the website. Each system is designed for a specific purpose and works well on its own. The problems arise when these systems don't communicate with each other.
When systems don't communicate
One of the first signs is that prices and availability on the website are incorrect. The website might show a cabin as available when it's already booked, or display a price from the previous season. Guests only discover the mistake late in the booking process, which can damage their trust.
For staff, disconnected systems mean entering the same information in multiple places. A booking made over the phone needs to be registered in the booking system and possibly also in the POS system and CRM. This takes time, and every manual step creates another opportunity for errors.
It also becomes difficult to get a complete picture of each guest. Someone who books accommodation, buys tickets for an activity and reserves a table for dinner might end up in three separate systems that don't share information. This applies to all kinds of activities, from lift passes and golf green fees to museum admission and spa visits.
Without a complete view of the guest, it's difficult to send personalised offers that are actually relevant, such as a special offer tailored to their interests ahead of their next visit.
What system integration solves
System integration allows different systems to exchange information automatically, often through APIs. When the booking system and website are connected, up-to-date prices and available dates can be displayed directly on the website. Bookings made online are automatically transferred to the correct system without anyone having to enter the information manually.
Guest data can also be brought together in one place and used for relevant, targeted communications, provided this is done in compliance with data protection regulations.
When multiple systems need to be connected, Toxic uses its own integration platform, EntityFlow. It brings data flows together in one place, making it easier to monitor what information has been transferred and identify any errors.
For example, we have used EntityFlow to connect Norrviken's e-commerce platform with its HiCore ERP system. At Isaberg Mountain Resort, several booking systems have been integrated into a single website platform.
How we helped Hooks Herrgård
Hooks Herrgård in Småland is a conference, spa and golf resort that has been owned by the same family since 1960. The goal of the new website was to increase online sales by making it easier for guests to quickly find what they were looking for and complete their bookings directly.
Toxic built the website using Umbraco and integrated it with the resort's booking system. The website is available in two languages and is optimised for search engines. We also work continuously to drive traffic to the site.
Want to connect your booking system and website?
We help destination companies connect their booking systems, POS systems and websites so they work seamlessly together.
Learn more about how we help destination companies and our expertise in system integration.
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