By: Erik Kroon, founder LeisureKing and leisure entrepreneur since 1996

The start: doing business with an Excel file

In 1996 I started organizing outdoor activities on the Veluwe. The start was great: being outside, giving people a fun day, inventing new things, exactly why I wanted to become an entrepreneur. In the beginning I just added the administration. My father invariably said, "Boy, administration is part of the job." But honestly? I didn't like it at all. Fortunately, my sister took over many of those tasks: sending invoices, making schedules, preparing confirmations and keeping everything neatly organized in Excel.

Everything arranged automatically

These days I have LeisureKing for that. Online reservations are processed and paid automatically, invoices are sent, and when an iDEAL payment is made, everything jumps to green immediately. No more hassle with bank statements or reminders. Emails also happen automatically: from confirmations and parking info to discount codes for your next visit and review requests. That saves time and contact moments.

Understanding numbers in seconds

The numbers are now clear at a glance. I can immediately see which activities are popular, what my turnover is and how much capacity I still have. Thanks to the link with our accounting program, everything is also processed neatly. This now saves us two full-timers per year.

Also more efficient on location

On location works just as easily. In our climbing forests guests check themselves in, receive a tape with a time slot and agree to the terms and conditions. In the rental store, an employee sees what he needs to set up at the push of a button. In the past you had to wait and see if it would get busy, now you know for sure and can make adjustments in time.

Save or grow? It can be both

Whether you want to cut costs or earn more: with LeisureKing, you can do both.
And after 29 years, I can confirm this wholeheartedly. When may we help you?

By: Erik Kroon, leisure entrepreneur and founder of LeisureKing

As an entrepreneur in the leisure industry since 1996, I know better than anyone how annoying it is when a group does not show up complete. With my experience, I have experienced countless situations where no-shows and last-minute changes caused problems. This was also one of the reasons for developing LeisureKing: a reservation system that helps to deal with such challenges.

Here are eight practical tips to better protect your business from unexpected cancellations:

1. For group requests, always ask for a 50% deposit

This ensures a serious commitment and fewer last-minute cancellations.

2. Have customers provide the final number a week in advance

This allows you to send the final invoice in a timely manner and have it paid.

3. Work with a guarantee number

Allow a deviation of 15%. E.g.: with 100 participants specified, the guarantee number is 85. If the group comes with 80, they pay for 85.

4. Allow small groups to pay directly online

For groups up to 15 people, online payment is the standard.

5. Encourage last-minute bookings

The shorter the time frame in which customers can book and pay, the less likely changes are.

6. Offer vouchers for non-coming participants.

In doing so, you offer an alternative and increase the likelihood of repeat visits.

7. More participants than agreed upon?

If possible, charge it on the spot via pin.

8. How to handle cancellations?

Cancellations can have various causes, such as force majeure or illness. In such cases, you can reschedule the outing, but leave the action with the customer. Since they have already paid, they will contact you themselves for an alternative date. Clearly communicating your cancellation policy up front prevents misunderstandings and disappointments.

How does LeisureKing help you?

With LeisureKing you can:

• - Directly arrange payments via invoice, payment link or pin.
• - Have groups pay down payments and guarantee numbers.
• - Generate discount vouchers.
• - Outings easily move within the system.

Good luck minimizing no-shows and maximizing your sales!

Erik Kroon
Owner LeisureKing

Erik has been in the leisure industry since 1996 and runs, among other things, two climbing forests, two bicycle rental shops and a Prison Island on the Veluwe. He is also the founder of Escape Tours. LeisureKing has grown into a no cure, no pay booking system with which more than 500 companies optimize their bookings.

Classic front office counters, manually checking reservations and long queues at the entrance? That's a thing of the past. Last season, together with EasySecure, we successfully implemented an innovative access solution at Recreatiepark TerSpegelt in Eersel.

With LeisureKing, online reservations and ticket sales are handled, while EasySecure provides smart access control. Through this partnership, we provide fast, safe and efficient access for all visitors.

What does this mean for visitors?

• 1. Fast & easy access: Holiday guests, day visitors and season ticket holders can effortlessly order their admission tickets online.
• 2. QR code access: Day visitors receive their QR code directly in their mailbox and can scan it at the EasySecure access gates without staff intervention. The code only works on the correct day and time, ensuring a smooth flow.
• 3. Face recognition for subscription holders: No more passes or keys needed. Subscription holders simply upload a selfie into the app and access the location via facial recognition.

With this solution, queues and red tape are a thing of the past. Visitors can enjoy their day carefree at swimming pools, recreational lakes, indoor playgrounds, vacation parks and other day recreation locations.

Wondering how we can also help your location with a smart access solution? Contact us and discover the possibilities.