TOURISM EXCHANGE USA

Facilitating access to instantly bookable, unique tourism products and experiences.

New Mexico is the first U.S. state to participate in a tourism exchange, a business-to-business platform that connects suppliers and distributors in the travel industry, the New Mexico Tourism Department announced Tuesday.

Partnering with Tourism Exchange USA, New Mexico hotels, tour groups, and other tourism businesses will soon be connected with international travel booking companies and agents to bring travelers from around the world and the U.S. to New Mexico.

What is Tourism Exchange USA?

Developed in partnership with New Mexico Tourism, Tourism Exchange USA helps connect tourism businesses (accommodation, attractions, and experiences), booking systems, distribution channels, and the end consumer - all from one central place.

The platform is already connected to many popular industry booking systems and channel managers, including Priceline, Expedia, and TripAdvisor, to source new products. Additionally, the platform has been used by more than 100 Global DMOs (Destination Management Organizations) to help develop and showcase New Mexico tourism products, distribute destination content, and compile and capture privacy-compliant first-party data. With the ability to pull rates and availability from your booking system, this information is updated throughout the platform in real-time.

The Tourism Exchange USA platform itself is not consumer-facing but acts as a facilitator, linking suppliers to the channels that they choose – helping to grow business reach, and surfacing a range of new and exciting products across a wide range of distribution channels.

Who does it help?

Any tourism-related business (with the exception of restaurants) offering online bookings. From cabin hideaways and luxury spa resorts to family-run motels and vacation rental escapes to historic sites and museums, horse racing, and amusement centers. Tours and activities like mountain bike tours, cooking classes, and large-scale activity centers can sign up, plus events and festivals, conferences, and cultural events.

Reach new customers and grow sales

Accommodation, attractions, tours, and events can reach new customers through a broad range of distribution channels, and unique campaigns brought together in one platform.

What are the benefits?

• Reach new customers, and grow your sales

• Sell your tourism product via destination websites, niche distributors, and larger OTAs – domestically and internationally.

• Free to join. You only pay when you get those all-important online bookings.  Then there’s a 3.5% booking fee, plus the commission of your chosen distributors.

Who can join?

Suppliers (accommodation, attractions and experiences etc.) 

• Diversify your distribution, reach new customers, and grow your sales

• Sell your product via destination websites, niche distributors, and larger OTAs – domestically and internationally

• Free to join – just pay a 3.5% booking fee plus the commission of your chosen distributors

• Get bookable on your own channels, if you’re not already

• Simple connection via your connected booking system – or use the manual loading system, TX Load

Distributors

• Tap into a wide range of tourism products from across England, all in one place

• Save time and resources contracting products that are hard to find / new to the market.

Destinations

• Drive bookings on your destination website - improving the customer journey, and supporting the local visitor economy.

Booking systems

• Offer your customers the latest distribution solution – with access to over 60 destination websites, niche distributors, and larger OTAs, domestically and internationally.

How does the customer payment model work?

You can receive payment into your bank account when a booking is made*. Any booking fees and/or distributor commissions are automatically settled in the following month.

*Direct-to-provider distributors

What information is needed to sign up for Tourism Exchange USA?

To join Tourism Exchange USA, first, you need to determine whether you are using a booking system that is connected to the Exchange.

If the answer is YES, you are using a Tourism Exchange USA connected booking system, just follow the steps below.

If the answer is NO, you don’t have any system, a system that is not Tourism Exchange USA connected, or you are unsure, simply contact CustomerService@tourismexchangeusa.com.

If you are sure you have a Tourism Exchange USA connected booking system, you will need to complete the steps below and provide the following information about your business:

Step 1: Complete the Tourism Exchange USA online application form

Step 2: Get Connected Wizard (GCW). The GCW allows self-managed Suppliers to connect with the OBX via an online sign-up process. The main steps of the wizard are:

• Choose a Booking System and then a relevant Connected Booking System

• Enter Business Details

• Agree to the Pricing and Provider Agreement

• Agree to the Debit Arrangement (commonly a Direct Debit process)

• Choose the Payment Gateway (Stripe account or a new Stripe account)

• Confirm details
  
  

Where can you find out more?

Visit TourismExchangeUSA.com to find out how the program can help Ruidoso tourism businesses and organizations.