The ATDW system is a central distribution and storage facility for tourism industry product and destination information from all Australian States and Territories. This content is compiled in a nationally agreed format and electronically accessible by tourism business owners (operators), wholesalers, retailers and distributors for use in their websites and booking systems.

Visit ATDW Website for more information.

What is the Tourism Exchange Australia (TXA)?

Tourism Exchange Australia (TXA) is an inclusive booking exchange that incorporates inventory and pricing from multiple booking systems and then distributes it widely to various websites. TXA offers distributors and operators the opportunity to increase their sales and provides consumers with the ability to source high quality tourism content and book it securely online.

Visit Tourism Exchange Australia for more information.

Who is V³?

ATDW has teamed with V³ to develop Tourism Exchange Australia (TXA) using V³’s unique Open Booking Exchange™ (OBX™) technology. TXA links tourism providers with distributors and is an industry-wide initiative, covering accommodation, tours, attractions and events.

Visit V3 Website for more information.

How much will it cost to sell my products through the TXA?

There is a 2.8% commission charged to completed bookings that come through V³’s TXA. If no booking is made, no cost is incurred. The connection fee for the TXA is charged on the gross amount at the end of each month by direct debit to your nominated bank account.

In addition to the cost of the TXA connection, individual distributors will have their own pricing and commission model in order to distribute through their channel. You have the opportunity to view a distributor’s terms and conditions (including commission rates) before you select them as a distributor of your product and you can opt in or out of these agreements at any time.

If you are using a property management system, or some other front-of-house system, there will be costs associated with this for each operator to determine.

What are the benefits of TXA for Tourism Operators?

By using ATDW and TXA your product information is easily accessible to your customer when and how they want it. It also exposes your product to those consumers that only book online.

It will give you control over your business decision-making, giving you the ability to select which distributors you wish to book your product; stop participating with distributor/s at any time; customise prices for different distributors; and always remain in control of your own inventory.

The TXA is designed to significantly reduce the time spent on trying to manage multiple distribution channels. It is also designed to remove the requirement for tourism businesses to manage multiple allotments or allocations.

The TXA also allows you to view a distributor’s Terms and Conditions and commercial terms before agreeing to the contract so you can simply opt in (or out) of distribution channels.

What type of businesses can participate in the TXA?

The TXA caters for nearly all sectors of the Australian tourism industry, including accommodation, tours, attractions, events and festivals.

Importantly, the TXA is available to all sizes of tourism businesses, from the largest resort to the smallest operator, thereby creating an 'equal playing field' for the entire industry to participate.

What is an Online Merchant Service Facility (OMSF)?

Online Merchant Service Facility (OMSF) is the fee to set up and receive payment through your website. An OMSF enables consumers who book product to pay securely online, with the booking revenue deposited directly into your nominated bank account. Some banks will require equity as security to offset the risk of refunds. Check with your current bank as to what they offer.

How will a consumer know that I have an online booking facility?

If a consumer goes to a website that is a distributor of your product through the TXA, the consumer will be able to book your product in real time. How your product is presented will depend on what the online distributor wants the customer experience to be.

The TXA is invisible to the consumer – it is the connecting technology that allows the customer to search for and book your product online and in real time.

Each distribution channel – such as About-Australia.com, the Wotif Group or an operator's own website – will have a unique look and way of presenting the booking process to the consumer. If you have your own website and you are connected to the TXA, you will be able to place a “Book Now” button on your site and consumer bookings will be made directly into your reservation system through the TXA.

Will the TXA work with my current property management system?

The property management systems currently connected to the TXA include:

Discover Australia Holidays

Frontdesk

Jewel Reservations Systems

TravelPoint Holidays (An AOT Group Company)

If your business currently operates one of these systems then you are e-commerce enabled and have the functionality to connect your products to the TXA. Please call your system provider.

This list is constantly growing as new systems sign up to the TXA. See the full list on the ATDW website

What if my current reservation system is not integrated to the TXA?

If you are currently using an established business or property management system and it is not currently integrated to the TXA, you can contact your system supplier and request that they integrate.

There are a number of other systems in the process of integrating to the TXA. It is important to communicate with your reservations system supplier to establish if the system you use is in this process.

If your system is not or will not integrate to the TXA, a solution for your business may be to provide inventory through an integrated intermediary who is participating in the TXA. This will enable your business to have online bookable product, however this will be via a particular partner.

What if I operate a manual reservation system?

There are two options available to your business:

A solution for your business may be to provide inventory through an integrated intermediary. This will enable your business to have online bookable product, however this will be via a partner.
There are electronic reservations systems that you can install, that are integrated to the TXA. All of these have different fee structures. Choosing an appropriate electronic system, which is appropriate for your business, is a very important business decision. Take your time, understand your business needs, talk to your business peers, and review the systems available and their functionality. Shop around and compare as it is a competitive marketplace.

How can operators distribute through the TXA?

In order to sell product through TXA, operators will need:

To be using a TXA existing online booking system or property management system. You can ask your booking system provider for this information, or for a list of current TXA-compatible systems, check the ATDW website.
Live availability and pricing information for your products on your property management system or booking system. All bookings made through the exchange are instantly confirmed.
An online merchant facility so that you can process credit card transactions over the web. Your bank can help you obtain an online merchant facility if you do not already have one.
A listing with the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW). If you have a listing on Tourism and Events Queensland your listing with the ATDW is free and automatic.

I like speaking directly to my customers. Won’t an online booking system compromise my customer service?

No. Research shows that 60% of travellers prefer to book online when product is available.

Customers clearly want the ease and convenience of booking online.

However, if certain customers prefer to ring up and book in person, you can still make that option available to them. An online booking system is simply an alternative booking option that adds value to your business.

Will having online booking increase the risk of over-bookings?

If you’re signed up to TXA, there is no risk of over-bookings. TXA automatically updates your inventory across all your distributor websites – simultaneously and in real time – so customers only ever see accurate up-to-the-minute availability.

Don’t I need expensive new equipment to set up an online booking system?

No. If you already have a computer and internet connection, you don’t need to buy any new hardware. All online booking systems can be run from your computer or directly online.

How do I receive payments for bookings received?

Each distributor sets the payment method for each of its suppliers when selling via the TXA.

The distributor has two payment options:

'On Account' – where the product supplier is required to submit an invoice to the distributor in order to receive payment.
'Direct' – at the time of booking the full booking amount is deposited directly into the product supplier’s bank account. The TXA will then direct debit the distributor’s fee monthly from your account and pay the distributor.

As a supplier, you will be able to read each distributor’s payment method in their Terms and Conditions available through the TXA before you decide to opt-in.

Do I need to be online when the customer makes a booking through the TXA?

The TXA allows purchases to occur online and in real time. This happens instantly and automatically – there is no need for you to be personally online for this to occur, although your inventory and booking point must be available in real time for a booking to be made. Through the TXA the customer will receive immediate confirmation of the booking, you will receive payment instantly and your inventory will be automatically updated.

Will I still be able to distribute my product through traditional channels?

Yes, the traditional channels for distribution will still be available to you.

For more information on online booking systems on the Tourism e-kit please go Tutorials 34 and 35