| FIRST AND ONLY TURKS & CAICOS-EXCLUSIVE RESERVATION SERVICE LAUNCHES |
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Personalized Service Through Locally-Based Call Center, Interactive Website and Booking Engine Promotes and Distinguishes Acclaimed Destination to the World.
PROVIDENCIALES, Turks & Caicos Islands – May 19, 2009 – The world-renowned Turks and Caicos Islands are even more accessible now to travelers through the first and only locally-based call center and reservation service focused exclusively on Turks and Caicos resorts, hotels, villas and other attractions. The services, collectively called DiscoverTCI, are being launched and run by Wired Island, Ltd, a local marketing agency, and include a multi-faceted website (www.discovertci.com), live-chat functionality, a real-time booking engine custom-designed for Turks and Caicos properties, and toll-free phone numbers for North American and European tourists.
With knowledgeable agents based on the ground in Turks and Caicos, DiscoverTCI offers potential visitors real-time, insightful information on current events and developments influencing their travel decisions. In addition, DiscoverTCI further elevates awareness for the Turks and Caicos as a destination through a combination of traditional print advertising, public relations and sophisticated internet marketing programs, at a time when boosting the destination’s presence has never been more important. For example, a three-page advertorial on Turks and Caicos in the July issue of Caribbean Travel and Life features the service.
“Now more than ever it’s critical to have a strong Internet presence in the travel industry,” said Mike Sottak, president of Wired Island. “Our service is state-of-the-art in terms of leveraging technology and the way people are using the web for research and booking travel. Proof that this concept is appealing to travelers is the fact that we’ve booked almost 1000 room nights though the service already.”
DiscoverTCI leverages one of the key trends in travel planning: a move by tourists to more personalized and knowledgeable travel resources. In addition to value, today’s travelers are seeking in-depth insights about a destination, especially one as unique as the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The services offered through DiscoverTCI give travelers multiple inquiry channels, such as - live chat, email, toll-free numbers and a real-time booking engine - and are staffed by locally-based marketing agents, all of whom are experts on Turks and Caicos as a holiday destination. DiscoverTCI also provides information and booking support for tour operators and other tourism services to help round out memorable tropical vacations for travelers from around the world.
 “DiscoverTCI is focused only on Turks and Caicos and therefore we provide unmatched depth and insight about the destination,” said Val Kalliecharan, who is the general manager of DiscoverTCI. “People who have used the service are impressed that they are contacting someone based here, someone who has visited all the resorts, eaten in the restaurants, knows the best snorkeling spots and is willing to share this knowledge and insight. This ultimately gives the Turks and Caicos a critical competitive edge and makes the destination more accessible and desirable in these tough economic times.”
Roughly 80% of available room inventory in Turks and Caicos is represented by DiscoverTCI. Currently, the service represents 26 hotels/resorts and 50 villas, including:
Alexandra Resort & Spa
Amanyara
Beaches Resort & Spa
Bohio Dive Resort
Caribbean Paradise Inn
Club Med
Coral Gardens on Grace Bay
Gansevoort/Wymara
Grace Bay Club
Grace Bay Suites
Le Vele
Nikki Beach
Northwest Point |
Ocean Club
Ocean Club West
Point Grace
Regent Grand
Royal West Indies
Salt Cay Villas
Seven Stars
The Sands at Grace Bay
Turks & Caicos Club
Tuscany
Villa del Mar
Villa Renaissance
West Bay Club |
As added incentive for booking through DiscoverTCI, Wired Island has partnered with several local businesses to offer bonus the Turks and Caicos Travel Rewards Program. Just for booking with DiscoverTCI travelers can take advantage of rewards such as:
- A professional photo shoot on the beach by one of the islands’ leading photographers;
- A complimentary scuba diving trip to explore the islands’ famous coral reef systems;
- An eco-tour kayak trip through undiscovered mangrove trails and deserted cays;
- A relaxing couples massage at a luxurious spa;
- A free car rental for a day to explore the back roads of Providenciales.
Early feedback on DiscoverTCI has been extremely positive from both hotel suppliers and guests who see this as a value-added service that helps differentiate Turks and Caicos from other destinations.
Wired Island’s DiscoverTCI services are available via the Internet at www.discovertci.com and through private-label arrangements. There are no up-front costs for hotels or travelers because the services are provided via a commission structure.
About the Turks & Caicos Islands
The Turks and Caicos are a small, upscale island destination located just over an hour’s flight from Miami. The island chain, a UK Territory, consists of more than 40 islands and cays, eight of which are inhabited. It is world renowned for its pristine and uncrowded white sandy beaches – ranked the Best in the World; crystal clear waters that attract scuba divers, fishermen and water sport enthusiasts; and a friendly, relaxed and safe environment for enjoying a true Caribbean getaway vacation. The Turks and Caicos offer a wide range of accommodations, from five star resorts, to family-friendly hotels and condos and luxurious villas, as well as fine dining, spas, and activities for the whole family. Regularly-scheduled air service is available from major gateway cites on American Airlines (Miami, JFK, Boston), US Airways (Charlotte, Philadelphia, Boston); Delta (Atlanta); Air Canada (Toronto, Montreal) and British Airways (London Heathrow).
About DiscoverTCI
The DiscoverTCI reservations services are offered as a service of Wired Island Ltd., a locally-based full-service marketing firm. DiscoverTCI on-line reservations services focus exclusively on the Turks and Caicos market and include an interactive booking engine, on-line chat feature and phone/email response program along with a professionally trained and staffed call center in Providenciales. Contact DiscoverTCI through the web (www.discovertci.com), by phone (1-877-774-5486) or by email (res@discovertci.tc)
About Wired Island
Wired Island is a leading, full-service web, design and marketing agency in the Turks and Caicos Islands and provides local and international clients with services ranging from website design and development to public relations and e-marketing. The company has been based in Providenciales since 1998. Wired Island combines a high-technology marketing background, in-depth knowledge and experience of the Turks and Caicos Islands with a professionally-trained creative team. More information on the company can be found at: www.wiredislandtci.com.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
Toni Sottak, toni@wiredislandtci.com ; phone (649) 941-5927 or 941-4218 or (649) 331-6833
Attachments:
DiscoverTCI Fact Sheet and References
Caribbean Travel & Life July 2009 Advertorial |
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