The year 2020 is almost upon us. A year we will not soon forget, and many of us are only too happy to leave behind. But positive things have also happened. For example, in the world of online booking, and we have also noticed this at LeisureKing.

Last year we welcomed as many as 143 new companies as customers. And because consumers often had to book activities and outings in advance, we were able to process a record number of reservations through our system. Over 335,000 reservations in 12 months! That is a growth of 265% compared to last year.

There was also a clear increase in the percentage of online bookings in 2020. Whereas last year consumers still made their reservations online in 71% of cases, in 2020 this has increased to 84%. So online booking and payment is more popular than ever. And did you know that many reservations are made at the last minute? 63% happen up to 2 days in advance.

This year we have put LeisureKing on the map not only as an (online) reservation system, but also as a ticketing system. Some 43 museums now benefit from the convenience of entrance tickets, and the time slots that can be linked to them. Now with corona, it is more important than ever for museums to keep the number of visitors manageable. LeisureKing therefore cleverly keeps track of the maximum number of visitors welcome in certain time slots.

Great numbers, of which we are immensely proud! But we also look ahead, what can you expect from us in the new year? Of course a good service, where you always have the possibility to contact us free of charge if you have any questions. And free webinars, in which we share our knowledge about online booking and payment.

But there will also be new updates to the system. Among other things, we are going to develop a new working environment for the cashiers. Several LeisureKing users have indicated a need for this, and we are happy to accommodate them. In terms of speed and capacity, we will also expand considerably, so that you can be sure of a stable booking system.

2021, we are looking forward to it and are confident that next year will bring great events. So arrange your ticketing on time with LeisureKing, and together we will make sure you are ready for all your visitors!

On behalf of the entire team, we wish you happy holidays and a fantastic 2021!

Bart & Ernest

Last week, LeisureKing held its first free webinar on how to get revenue figures and statistics from its ticketing and reservation system. About 35 participants got a quick course on all the ins and outs in about three quarters of an hour. Pretty handy to know how to get the right financial information out of LeisureKing by the end of the year.

Every month LeisureKing organizes a free webinar for users, with a different theme each time. Obviously focused on the period we are in at that time. These informative webinars are part of our free service. In addition, users also receive feedback on their website and online findability. Are the activities or tickets easy to find online? Are the right booking buttons being used? And are they in the right places on the website? These may seem like small things, but they can make a big difference in getting the most out of your business. At LeisureKing, we have people in-house who have made these topics their expertise and can provide you with valuable advice. So as a user of LeisureKing, in addition to a good system, you benefit directly from good knowledge!

We think along with you, look at possibilities and adjust items for you where necessary. Our service level is high. Perhaps even 'too' high if you look at how other systems do this. Yet we continue to do so. Because we know that implementing a (new) booking system is not always easy. And that it might work a little differently than how you were used to. That is why you can come to us with all your questions about our system, and we will be happy to help you further. Still free of charge and with a personal touch, which is nice!

Wondering if LeisureKing is something for your organization? Sign up and try it 30 days for free!

We regularly receive questions from our customers, via phone, email and chat. For example, about how functions work or where to find and modify certain information. We can often give a quick answer to these questions, and then the customer can get on with their business. Customer happy, we happy. Yet we think this can be done faster and more conveniently. That's why LeisureKing will be hosting a free webinar every month from now on. Especially for you, so you can get the most out of your online ticket and reservation system.

What are the most important (new) features of LeisureKing? How do they work exactly? Are your activities optimally bookable? Are you already using the golden online booking rules, or are you still missing one? Every month, we will cover a different topic. And since we are getting more and more questions about financial statements as the year draws to a close, we'll kick things off with this one.

This Wednesday, November 25, we will talk about the year-end closing and where to find what information in LeisureKing. And of course you will have the opportunity to ask questions. Everyone can participate in the webinars for free, so feel free to invite your accountant to watch. Just as easy!

Wondering when the webinars will take place? Check which topics are on the schedule and register now!

The message of our prime minister in May 2020 was clear, even in times of corona you can very well visit a museum. But ... then you have to book in advance. After all, it is now more important than ever that it does not get too crowded and that the 1.5-meter guideline can be properly safeguarded. But how exactly do you arrange that? And can it also be automated? Sure, with LeisureKing it's a piece of cake! But an online reservation system has even more advantages: more sales, automatic visitor registration (according to RIVM guidelines) and a 24/7 reservation option. Handy!

At LeisureKing we notice that museums and theme parks still find it a big step to switch to a ticket and reservation system. Reason enough for us to make the switch for these and other companies as simple as possible. We do this by offering different starter packages, where you can choose how much work we take off your hands.

LeisureKing works simply. You determine your opening hours, possible time slots and maximum number of visitors in that time slot, without exceeding the guidelines of the RIVM. After we have coordinated and set this up with you, you place a booking screen on your own website. The customer chooses a date, sees which time slots are still available and orders the tickets. After payment, for example via iDEAL, the tickets are automatically sent to your customer via email.

What you have just read is all included in Starter Package A. With this package we set up a LeisureKing account for you that you can use immediately. You pay a one-time connection fee and then LeisureKing goes to work for you for free! Sounds good right?

The other packages offer you additional options to make the ticketing system even more complete. Think for example of a ticket scanner, training for your staff, LeisureKing pin device or custom website. So you can really choose a package that suits your company's wishes and needs.

We like to help you, even in these times. So do you have questions about our starter packages or are you curious about what LeisureKing can offer your organization? Please contact us and we will schedule an appointment to go over everything. See you soon!

These are strange times... I hear that phrase at least once during every phone conversation. Strange times they certainly are, yes. For me, reason enough to climb into the digital pen.

In the first weeks there was panic: Will the leisure industry still exist? Fortunately, most entrepreneurs show why the recreation industry is so beautiful and numerous creative initiatives became visible. Anything to get their business through these dark times. And fortunately, the darkest seems to be behind us.

Light at the end of the tunnel, slowly it is all becoming clearer. We may secretly dream again about filled calendars and empty sheds or wharves, visitors in museums and play parks. When everything will be possible again, unfortunately there is no answer yet. But there is no doubt that soon we will all want to get outside and do fun things again!

Time slots and spreading out are two important keywords, as we have seen recently. At LeisureKing we regularly get questions from existing customers whether this is possible. Yes it is! Timelocks, time slots and time blocks are exactly what we have been realizing for our customers all these years and what we are strong in. Our whole system is built on this and that is what makes it so powerful. And right now, many companies, even those that were not ready for automation in the past, need this beautiful solution. They are all looking for possibilities of online booking and payment with the most important tool: being corona-proof with time locks.

Helping each other is another important key word. We see more and more great initiatives emerging from collaborating companies, and we need to look further in the recreation industry as well. You may find it difficult to help a competitor in these times, but by doing so you increase the chances that our beautiful industry will soon still exist.

We are now holding talks with companies that may not need us later, when this crisis is over. When everything is 'normal' again, they may go back to their old habits and operations. And that, of course, is fine! If we can help them through this difficult period with LeisureKing, we will be more than satisfied.

I think that right now we need to look less at competition and our own interests. We must all help the leisure industry and ensure that the fun trips, school trips and corporate events can continue 'as usual'. This is the time to be there for each other and to support each other with tips and tricks so that people can have a nice day again. Of course with appropriate distance and the right measures. Right now, the Netherlands is most in need of a smile... And we, the recreation industry, we provide that smile!

I would love to meet with you to see how I can help you in these times. Then together we'll make sure that smile returns!

Ernest - Account manager LeisureKing