Tiscover markets tourism on mobile platform

Tiscover, a global destination system provider, has launched Tiscover05, the company's latest generation system of its online marketing platform, featuring the one of the world's first tourism content solutions for PDAs and mobile phones. For the first time on this scale, the power of mobile technology can be harnessed by tourism providers, according to Karsten Kýrcher, executive director of sales, marketing and finance at Tiscover.

Through Tiscover05's Tiscover Mobile technology, tourism boards and their local partners can stream information on everything from attraction opening hours to local weather to PDAs and mobiles, thereby maximising interaction with consumers both before they book and during their holiday itself.

"Tiscover-powered websites achieved 256 million page views during 2003. In the first nine months of 2004, we've already had in excess of 234 million page views. We're well on target to exceed last year's figures," Kyrcher said. "This firmly establishes Tiscover as the leading provider of destinations management systems (DMS) and destination portals."

The new platform also combines navigation and usability principles to set new speed standards in web-based tourism for both providers and consumers, Kyrcher said. Tiscover05-powered websites features new innovative designs, a greater choice of user languages, a powerful image library, soft-colored navigation icons and user-friendly menu options.

Consumer ratings

Also new is Tiscover's "Consumer Rating" program, enabling Tiscover users to see the satisfaction levels of their customers, who can now rank their holiday experiences online through web sites. Improvements to the Tiscover user extranet introduced by Tiscover05 includes simplified pull-down menus, an 'Occupancy Gaps' page for last-minute availability, and a context-sensitive online help tool.

New in-house back-office products for tourism organisations and call centers are also included in the Tiscover05. Features such as 'Group Search' (room search for large parties based on complex occupancy combinations) or 'Blurry Date Search' (offering leeway on arrival and departure dates) make it easier to deal with guest enquiries, while a new 'Info Center' module provides an at-a-glance overview of open consumer questions and brochure demands. Brochure dispatch is now possible at the click of a mouse.

"The last update of Tiscover occurred in 2002. We continue to strive for better solutions for the world's tourism industry and Tiscover05 is the answer," Kyrcher said.

Leading DMS provider

Tiscover markets itself as the leading destination management system (DMS) provider, operating the world’s largest family of destination portals. Rated one of the world’s top travel websites, Tiscover has become one of the most powerful tourism brands in Europe, attracting partnerships with market dominating ISPs AOL and T-Online, and portals ebookers.com, HolidayAutos, Avis, Travelchannel.de, Start.de and Lycos.

Tiscover, headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria, attracted 57 million online visitors generating 225 million page views in 2002. Tiscover provides destination portals for organisations including the Austrian National Tourist Office, the State of Bavaria in Germany, the Province of Trento in Italy, and many more states, regions, cities and towns across Europe, totalling over 16.000 business clients.

The destination management system behind the portal is a powerful tool for destination marketing organisations and accommodation providers to market their products and services online, both on their own individual websites as well as the Tiscover portals (www.tiscover.com) and those of its partners. Tiscover features in-depth tourist information for each destination, providing content on thousands of tourist regions, cities and towns. The portal offers an at-a-glance guide to top tourist attractions, festivals and cultural events, coupled with online bookings for tens of thousands of accommodation providers. It also features comprehensive weather reports, web movies and feeds from webcams positioned in popular tourist areas.

Tiscover was formed in 1991 as Travel Information System (TIS) GmbH to promote tourism in the Tyrol region. TIS first launched on the internet in February 1995 as one of the world’s first-ever travel websites.

Tiscover became publicly listed company Tiscover AG in 2000, a year which also saw the launch of Tiscover’s WAP service, offering accommodation bookings across mobile phones. Tiscover now operates portals in several countries with a particular focus at present on Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the UK, with further countries to join.