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Cairns tech company ResPax has teamed up with Silicon Valley software giant SugarCRM to deliver a global platform it says could boost post-pandemic tourism.
It describes itself as the first fully integrated customer relationship management (CRM) and travel booking platform for the travel and tourism industry.
SugarCRM CEO Craig Charlton said the new platform will help the tourism industry bounce back from a difficult time.
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“We are making difficult things easier for tour operators and their guests by streamlining processes and engagement to help the tourism industry rebuild and embrace a period of new growth.
“We are pleased to partner with ResPax to offer a solution specifically designed to help tour operators make the most of every interaction to recover from years of pandemic confinement.”
Respax has been developing booking software for tour operators since 1999. Millions of travelers a year use their platforms to book with small local operators and large multinationals.
CEO Tony Bridgewater said integrating CRM and reservations is a holistic approach that will drive growth in the tourism industry.
“We were looking for enablement for our operators, to make sure they can get into the next generation of booking platforms.
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“Tour operators can revolutionize the guest experience and build stronger, more profitable relationships.”
SugarCRM was one of the pioneers of customer relationship management technology and is now among the top three companies in a large global industry.
Innisfail-born Tony Bridgewater came to his attention through connections he made working in Silicon Valley in the 1990s.
“I worked at some big global companies in strategic positions with multiple start-ups, and then Microsoft poached me to be a product manager.
“Sometimes it helps to know people, so I reached out to my contacts and suggested what we could do together, and they said it sounded really interesting.
“SugarCRM was a natural fit, they are innovative, they have great technology and we are innovative in our field.
“It was the foresight of those leaders who said there is a great company in this small town called Cairns in Australia that can meet global demand.
“Talent can come from anywhere.”