GolfSwitch, the world’s leading tee time technology and distribution platform has confirmed attendance at this year’s IGTM in Vilamoura. GolfSwitch has established itself as the go to organisation for companies in the golf and travel industry to book tee times for their customers on close to 3,000 courses worldwide.
It is fitting that GolfSwitch has decided to be present at this year’s IGTM as the Portuguese golf industry is actively looking at attracting once again the number of visitors that have roamed the Portuguese fairways. GolfSwitch has already connected many Portuguese courses with the likes of Quinta Do Lago, the Pestana Group, Benamor and other courses already receiving bookings through their online presence.
The latest addition to the GolfSwitch network is Monte Rei Golf & Country Club. The Jack Nicklaus designed courses in the Eastern Algarve is among the best courses on the Iberian peninsula and adopted a very much service-centric approach towards visiting golfers.
Over the years, GolfSwitch, through their partners GolfSpain, have processed hundreds of thousands of bookings to the Spanish courses and are looking to spread this success through to all the markets connected. Countries like France, Italy, Tunisia, Morocco, Cyprus and not forgetting the UK and Ireland are also available within the GolfSwitch network.
At this year’s IGTM, GolfSwitch will unveil Version 2 of their successful travel tool DIrect Access. The upgraded web application will allow travel companies, hotels and any other golf course partners to book live tee times on either their own contracted courses or on all other courses in the network, allowing them to expand their reach and service to their customers. The travel company will have the opportunity to load their own agreements and book tee times within these agreements or use the conditions GolfSwitch has in place with all its courses.
Golf course partners will be able to see what the current retail rate is for the tee time selected and compare that with their rate and adjust pricing towards their customers. An immediate confirmation within the club’s tee sheet, white label confirmations for the client and instant price information showing the margins obtained are all part of the package. Direct access is a low entry web application ideally suited to IAGTO tour operators who want to have live and real time access to close to 3,000 courses worldwide.
Jo Maes, Managing Director for GolfSwitch International, said: “Having attended IGTM for many years, we appreciate this event being the main golf travel event in the world. The fact that it is being held in the Algarve, one of our biggest growing markets made our decision to exhibit beyond doubt. In the past, tour operators and GolfSwitch have played a game of hide and seek but we are confident that the travel industry has now fully come to understand the benefits involved in being able to book tee times live and in real time.
“For flights, hotels, cars and even transfers, live access to inventory is already widely accepted. It’s beyond doubt that having access to live and real time tee times can only benefit the travel industry. We are particularly pleased with our new direct access system which provides tour operators with a sophisticated, yet easy to use, online booking tool for tee times. No more going back and forth to clubs to get tee times, travel companies can now find available inventory themselves with immediate results which allows them to service their clients quicker.”
GolfSwitch staff will be on site to demo the system to anybody who wants to see what being able to book live and real times can do for an organisation. The stand number is 309 and can be found in Room 3, next to the Portuguese hall.
GolfSwitch International www.golfswitch.com