(Photo above: Local tourism company Wanderlust Tours utilizes The Flybook software to organize tours | provided by Wanderlust Tours)
Streamlines Recreation Booking
In 2006, Craig and Megan Langer founded The Flybook, a unique booking software that could respond to multifaceted and dynamic scheduling variables. Craig explains, “We created a reservation management system that is custom built for activity, tour, lodging and adventure park operators, all of which have similar and complex operational models. We have provided real-time availability, which enables many benefits including an automated booking process, online booking, as well as a database that clients can easily create reports from and use for marketing.”
Typical booking systems for lodging are fairly simple in that they show a vacancy, which is accounting for a single variable. “For tour operators, there are many additional moving parts to defining whether a given day or time can be considered available,” says Craig. “There are guides involved, individuals who have different levels of capacity (depending on the type of trip or tour, they might be able to take two people or they might be able to take 20). There are inventory considerations, be it bikes, segways, rafts or harnesses. Not to mention licensing, permitting and other access issues.”
The Flybook accounts in real-time for these variables and translates them into availability knowledge for the employee and the tourist or participant.
In addition, The Flybook is completely automated. The system can collect deposits, follow up with clients for payment, as well as send reminders and follow-up emails. A daily, weekly and monthly calendar can be accessed.
The Flybook serves 15 Bend-based clients including RAD Camps, Oregon Bungee and Wanderlust Tours. David Nissen, co-founder of Wanderlust Tours, speaks to the benefits of implementing The Flybook saying, “Wanderlust Tours has always desired to support local businesses, so when The Flybook introduced their product to us, we were excited to jump on board. News updates, activity reports, website integration and client data are just a few of the features that The Flybook has provided for us. The Flybook enables online reservations and payments electronically and after reservations are made, guests can check and pay balances online and receive email confirmations. The speed and efficiency of the reservation process is quite nice.”
The company’s newest offering is a sophisticated ticketing system crafted to serve adventure parks, rock climbing gyms, zipline and trampoline parks. Smart Tickets is a tool that accommodates flexible start times, equipment or facility restrictions as well as age and ability considerations.
When asked about The Flybook’s greatest successes, Craig points to retention rate and expansion into new markets. “We have retained 95 percent of our customers. Our initial product was aimed at flyfishing outfitters. Today, we serve well over 25 different types of activity, tour, lodging and adventure park operators. Once people start using The Flybook, they want to keep working with The Flybook.”
Nissen agrees, explaining, “While The Flybook wasn’t created specifically for Wanderlust Tours, they have worked with us striving to meet our needs. They are constantly making improvements and updates to provide a better user and guest experience. As The Flybook continues to make positive changes, we are able to operate more effectively. When that happens, we are able to get people out adventuring and exploring the beautiful place we call home.”
Company: The Flybook
Owners: Craig and Megan Langer
Contact: 855-909-2665, 141 NW Greenwood, #103, Bend, OR 97703, info@theflybook.com, www.theflybook.com
No. Employees: 8 with 3-4 added this summer
Year Established: 2006
Product/Service: Tourism software
Hot News: Just releasing new ticketing software
