STEP 2: GET STARTED ON YOUR WEBPAGE FOR THE OFFICIAL DESTINATION WEBSITE, MARGARETRIVER.COM
(+ MARGARET RIVER REGION APP & VC INTERACTIVE TOUCHSCREEN PLATFORMS)
As part of a standard membership package or above, you will receive a business listing on margaretriver.com to promote your business via the MRBTA’s digital platforms (margaretriver.com, Your Margaret River Region official app, visitor centre touchscreens). Over 80% of travellers now research & book elements of their travel via online channels. If you are not leveraging a dynamic digital presence for your business, you are simply missing out on a key, targeted audience.
Each member/business is responsible for managing the content on your page (images, copy, opening hours, availability & pricing calendars, facilities) and as part of our member induction and training program we will help you make the most of your digital presence.
MRBTA uses a content management and booking system software called Bookeasy. You will receive a personalised login (username & password) to Bookeasy so that you can create and manage your web page on margaretriver.com
As part of your new membership, the membership support team will also contact you to arrange a Member Induction which includes a training session (webinar) to guide you through setting up and managing all the necessary elements of your business listing. The quality of your page is often the first impression of your business or offering, so this training is designed to make sure you are getting maximum leverage and exposure to the 800,000 + potential customers/visitors to margaretriver.com.
The webinar will take approximately 60 min but if you are a tour or accommodation operator needing to set up a product calendar and/or connect to a partner channel manager (e.g. Siteminder, Little Hotelier, Rezdy etc), this session will extend to up to 90-120min in duration.
D.I.Y. Induction presentation notes
STEP 3: BOOK A MEMBER INDUCTION
To help make the most of your new membership, the MRBTA offers a comprehensive, complimentary Membership Induction program for its region based members, designed as an introduction to the MRBTA’s vision and objectives, tourism services (destination marketing, visitor services & industry advocacy). As part of the 60min session, you will learn how to leverage from the association’s activities and make the best use of any additional opportunities or services available to you as a member. This is also a good chance to ask any burning questions you may have to make the most of your new membership.
Inductions are scheduled regularly, alternating between our Busselton & Margaret River Visitor Centre (main office) or a suitable venue in Busselton nearby Busselton Visitor Centre.
If you are confident to setup your membership activity independently at this stage, simply proceed to step 4.
STEP 4: READY TO PUBLISH YOUR BUSINESS PAGE?
By now you would have attended a Member Induction/Bookeasy training session onsite/webinar or completed your setup online. Please be sure to tell us once you are ready for your page to be published so that we can check the page and showcase your business to visitors and inform our consultants of the new product available!
PUBLISHING CHECKLIST:
Contact information
Point of difference (Overview) & business description
Facilities &/or operating hours
Images – hero shot as primary thumbnail; logo; standard, room or tour images
Rates, description & availability of room or tour product
Please revisit the MEMBER GUIDELINES to ensure that you are ready to start taking bookings once your page is published live and that you are aware of the booking process and payment setup with MRBTA (if bookable product).
STEP 5 – VISITOR CENTRE HANDOVER – BROCHURES & PRODUCT TRAINING
Once your account has been finalised and your digital Bookeasy setup is complete and published to margaretriver.com, you will now be handed over to our friendly, award-winning visitor services team for all aspects of your membership, visitor related. If you have purchased extra benefits with your membership, our consultants will arrange for your brochures to be displayed in our four accredited visitor centres or building product knowledge via our off-site product briefings or an on-site venue site inspections.
DL Brochure Display Service – applicable to members who have purchased “Visitor Centre Brochure Display” benefit.
- Brochures – Please Note: Accommodation Operators can display brochures in 2 centres only and should choose the centres closest to their business location.
- Deliver your brochures to your nearest Visitor Centre (include a note outlining which visitor centre to distribute the brochures too).
Familiarisation Program – applicable to members who have purchased either “Visitor Centre & Marketing Staff Venue & Site Viewings” or “Visitor Centre & Marketing Staff Product Briefing” benefits.
- Contact a Team Leader at the VIC’s to discuss any information about brochures, famils/presenting your product to the VIC Consultants.
Your member set up is now complete!
Don’t forget…to keep making the most of your membership!
In addition to our monthly member e-newsletter outlining all MBRTA’s latest member news, industry updates and opportunities to look out for, don’t forget to utilise other membership benefits!
- Corporate/Member website – designed specifically for you – with tourism & marketing resources, Bookeasy support tips and FAQs
- Advertising Opportunities – Promote your business through targeted campaigns and activities, simply add options during the year through your online member account
- Monthly Member Mingles & networking events – Networking opportunities to build relationships with industry colleagues and get to know the MRBTA corporate team
- Free destination image library for your business use – Utilise our destination image library for your own marketing activities
- Events calendar – Add and promote special events hosted by your business of interest to visitors
