London, UKPharos Datacom, the specialist in online reservations for the ferry sector, have released statistics on transaction volumes for its Xchange Reservations Service, which indicate an upward trend for ferry bookings via trade channels. The Xchange Service, which handles millions of transactions for ferry operators and their trade partners every year, is an ideal barometer of trade booking trends.
Xchange reservation statistics are monitored as travellers spend, in contrast to trends from industry publications, which show volumes at time of departure. This means we have an immediate indicator of how ferry passengers are spending, which is particularly relevant in today's economic climate.
Following a short survey and monitoring of statistics during the last four months of 2008, volumes for a significant number of Pharos's Xchange ferry reservation users show the year on year trend as very positive.
The results show an overall average increase of 32% in bookings compared to the same period in 2007. Furthermore, the increase in December alone was 30%, which is normally one of the weakest months of the passenger ferry calendar.
Announcing these results, Alan Warburton commented: "The average booking value remained unchanged, confirming a very strong sector performance for our Xchange agents. The trend demonstrates the benefit of being online in the sector with an efficient booking service offering travellers choice and value."
A large part of the increase was on short sea routes, indicating signs of a dramatic switch in spending by many during the quiet season outside of the holiday period, and in adverse economic conditions.
Nicholas Warren, Director of 'The Travel Market', which is a Pharos client, added : "Our success underlines the Pharos results and reflects our own experience in our consumer, affiliate, club and other brands for reservations and breaks programs. This is an encouraging reversal of the general picture, showing the great value opportunities we can offer the traveller."
About Pharos Datacom
Pharos Datacom is reservations service provider specialising in the Ferry and Rail sectors. Pharos's expertise and versatile Xchange Reservation platform provides Ferry Agents, Tour Operators and other resellers with a range of online ferry booking solutions enabling efficient profitable reservations with all their Ferry Operator partners. Increased Ecommerce visibility is critical to success in boosting volumes and revenues.
Pharos's travel and transport clients include Eurostar, Thomas Cook, Holidaybreak Group, and AA Getaways. Pharos collaborates with ten technology partners, including BlueSky Travel Systems, who integrate Xchange services within their own systems. Pharos is an active member and contributor to the TTI (Travel Technology Initiative).
About The Travel Market
The Travel Market is a well known and established specialist ferry agent and tour operator based in Dover. The Travel Market has promoted ferry travel for over 20 years with many brands, offering online reservations with 12 ferry operators in addition to ferry breaks, in particular to Belgium and France. It also operates a successful affiliate program, ferry travel club and a number of joint venture programs with ferry operators, tourism publications and regional tourism organisations.
For further information:
Alan Warburton
Managing Director
Pharos Datacom
Tel: +44 (0) 118 944 9944
alan.warburton@pharosdata.com
www.pharosdata.com
Nicholas Warren
Director
The Travel Market Ltd
Tel: +44 (0) 1304 242 602
n.warren@travel-market.co.uk
www.ferrycheap.com
More about Pharos Datacom on SourceIT-Travel
presszone_Pharos 4th February 2009
Categories: PressZone
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