By
Rebecca Gibson |
This article was first published in the Autumn/Winter 2018 issue of International Cruise & Ferry Review. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed.
Managing passenger bookings for multiple ferry services can be tricky, but many operators have found it easy after implementing Hogia Ferry Systems’ BOOKIT reservation, ticketing and check-in solution.
US fast ferry operator Seastreak, for example, adopted the BOOKIT solution this April to enable it to streamline reservation processes on its high-frequency services between New Jersey and New York, and its summer tourist services in New England. It now has a hassle-free way to manage ticketing and check-in for the 1.5 million passengers that sail on its eight twin-hulled catamarans annually.
“Our website does the job in attracting interest, but we had challenges converting that interest into online sales,” says Brett Chamberlain, director of marketing. “We were very impressed with Hogia’s heavy investment in the enabling BOOKIT application planning interface, a prerequisite for advanced web development. We also connected with the company’s understated work ethic – it’s family-owned like us and we trusted it to deliver.”
This autumn, Hogia implemented a new ticket reservation system for Eckerö Linjen’s daily ferry services between Sweden and Åland. It also enabled an integration to the accommodation and tourism services booking system for Åland delivered by Visit Group. Both systems are integrated into Eckerö Linjen’s IT infrastructure so it’s easy for passengers to book their ferry travel and accommodation and activities in Åland via the ferry company’s website.
“We want to keep up with the latest developments in booking solutions,” says Tomas Karlsson, managing director of Eckerö Linjen.