Visitor Centre missing out

The Dunedin City Council operated visitor centre i-Site is being denied the opportunity to "upsell" the city's attractions on the occasions when city tourism operators do not allow it to book their products.

At the council's economic development committee meeting yesterday, centre team leader Louise van de Vlierd used the example of the Masters Games last month, when the centre represented all tourist operators.

Some operators provided discount vouchers that specified the discount was available only to those who booked direct.

Ms van de Vlierd said that meant visitors went direct to tourist operators and the centre did not have the opportunity to "upsell" other products to visitors.

She said her staff might be able to sell a visitor who was booking a Cadbury tour a Speight's tour, as well, or interest someone visiting the albatross colony in the chance to see penguins, as well.

Another example of the centre missing out was through the "Dunedin Difference Passport".

Ms van de Vlierd said while the passport had been successful from a Tourism Dunedin perspective, it had a "negative effect" on the centre's revenue.

"While it has encouraged local residents to visit local attractions, not all discounts offered can be booked at the i-Site."

She described the direct booking approach as "very short-sighted" and believed it was important to consider the "big picture".

Cr Dave Cull, who raised the issue with Ms van de Vlierd, said if the practice became widespread it could affect the city.

"Operators can't have it both ways."

Ms van de Vlierd told the meeting a Ministry of Tourism survey showed visitors who used i-Sites spent 45% more than those who did not.

She would raise the issue at a meeting with tourist operators.