NEWS

Marijke speaks at Venture Southland Tourism Seminar about Domestic Tourism.

21 November 2011
Marijke Dunselman spoke at the yearly Venture Southland Tourism Seminar in Invercargill. Around sixty operators attended the one-day seminar. The presentation focused on how to grow domestic visitors to Southland, providing practical examples and smarter ways to market to the domestic market.

To download the presentation, click here.

SmartrainingTM develops new E-Marketing Bootcamp

Tuesday, 11 October 2011, 11:38 am - see: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1110/S00273/smartrainingtm-develops-new-e-marketing-bootcamp.htm

Queenstown based marketing training company SmartrainingTM has developed the long-awaited E-Marketing Bootcamp for Tourism Operators.

"This exciting full day programme is aimed at tourism operators who feel a bit overwhelmed by all this website and social media stuff", says Marijke Dunselman, the developer of the programme.

After the success of the Tourism Marketing Bootcamp, this course is focusing E-Marketing, on how to increase your direct bookings by making the most of your website, social media, email marketing, review websites and much more. "It's about developing an e-marketing strategy that is going to work for your business and your types of customers."

The first E-Marketing Bootcamp will be run in Queenstown on 27 October 2011. For more info, go to: www.smartraining.co.nz

2 February 2011: CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY: ONLINE E-SALES TRAINING LAUNCHED

Queenstown-based SmartrainingTM (a division of Strategies Marketing Consultancy) and Whyte Waters Group Ltd and have formed a JV to provide interactive E-Sales Training to assist front line tourism staff selling sightseeing activities. It is designed to teach frontline staff how to help guests make the most of their stay. It is a proven fact that if key staff are well trained, the guests’ experience and ratings improve. Revenue from sales will increase and visitors become loyal customers and tell others.

The program developed by Marijke Dunselman and her company Strategies Marketing Consultancy Ltd is designed using the latest interactive online training techniques. The self-paced learning system is aimed at employees who interact directly with visitors. The Modules include a variety of on the job exercises which can be integrated into their every day work.  The programme is built into Whyte Waters Groups ‘Real Time Booking System’ and is accessed by logging into the RTBS system, which is used to make live booking for sightseeing and activities. The program has been launched in the Heritage Hotel, Queenstown as they were consulted as the program was developed.

The program, which has an initial seven modules, is designed to be completed in 10 days. The self-learning modules will ideally be undertaken at the start of the employees shift so they can put what they learn into practice and the modules can be revisited at any time. Managers can monitor which modules have been completed and monitor progress online.

“Sales skills are highly transferable and are a great asset for any person, as we are all selling something. I believe staff who undertake the course will benefit personally as well as having a sales qualification to add to their CV’s.” says Marijke Dunselman, the developer of the programme. John MacDonald, founding director of Whyte Waters Group says: “This professional development is great for everyone and will lift standards in the tourism industry and increased sales revenue for agents.”

The Programme covers areas such as:
Customer focus
Understanding the products they are selling
Understanding your customers and their needs
Building credibility, first impressions and body language
Effective questioning and listening skills
Dealing with objections and the important up-sell.

Online interactive training is the future of training and it’s extremely efficient and cost effective. This is the only training product of its kind and uses the most advanced interactive training methods available today. It’s fun, it’s interactive and it works!

For more information, contact:
John McDonald  Phone: Mobile: 027 4356092    john@tourismmacs.com
Marijke Dunselman      Phone: 03-441 8022 or Mobile: 021 456451    marijke@smartraining.co.nz 

1 December 2010: Funkee online shop launched!

After months of hard work, the new online shop with fabulous accessories, handbags, tote bags, scarves and jewellery, has been launched. Click on www.funkee.co.nz !

November 2010 : New websites by Strategies

Strategies has designed several new websites over the last few months:
www.murrells.co.nz : Murrell's Grand View House is a historic boutique B&B based in Manapouri, Fiordland.
www.curiobay.co.nz : This is the new website for Curio Bay Accommodation : "Fall out of bed, and you're on the beach". Lovely accommodation options at Curio Bay in the Catlins
www.kiwispotting.co.nz : this is the first website for the most established kiwi spotting business on Stewart Island. Bravo Adventure Cruises operate these fascinating nocturnal tours!
www.picturevehicles.co.nz & www.cartransport.co.nz have been revamped with some stunning images and new services

May 2010 - Smartourism at TRENZ for the first time

Six operators of the Smartourism International Marketing Group were represented at TRENZ in Auckland this year by Marijke. 

This was my 11th TRENZ. It was great to catch up with many of the wholesalers that I've known for years and develop relationships for my clients with the new wholesalers. Many of the operators I represented received instant business out of it.

TRENZ is a great event, but good preparation, appointment scheduling and follow up is imperative. Next year, TRENZ will be held in Queenstown. The format will change, but it will be a great opportunity to showcase the Smartourism members in their own region / island.

April 2010 - Smartraining Trademarked!

Smartraining, our marketing training division brand has now been trademarked. There are some larger scale initiatives in the pipeline of which we will inform you in due course.

December 2009 - Strategies launches its Weekly Marketing Tip (starting 21 December).

In this day & age, most people suffer from information overload. Strategies is therefore launching a FREE Weekly Marketing Tip - just one tip a week. This is manageable, but still adds up to 52 useful marketing ideas a year!

To register for the Weekly Marketing Tip, click on this button to the left

June 2009 - TRENZ a success

Last week, Karen Mc Bride and I attended TRENZ (the 10th time for me!) in Auckland on behalf of Mt Cook Ski Planes and Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters. It was quieter than previous years as there were fewer buyers and sellers. The quality of the buyers however were high and serious about doing business.

Positive vibes overall for the coming season. It is definitely a time to keep marketing your products so that when the world economy improves, you will have a head start over your competitors!

May 2009: new website live: Rakiura Helicopters

Rakiura Helicopters is the only Stewart Island-based helicopter company, owned by Zane Smith. Check out: www.rakiurahelictopters.co.nz