Case Studies / Tourism Research Australia
-
“WingArc software tools underpin our data delivery process.
They allow us to deal with very large and complex data sets and create
the outputs needed by our stakeholders in a dynamic, intuitive and interactive way.
We couldn’t provide our current standard of service without them.”Rod Battye
Manager - National Surveys
Tourism Research Australia
Tourism Research Australia Gains Fresh Insights into Travel Habits with WingArc
Tourism Research Australia (TRA) is an independent research body tasked with measuring and monitoring the value of the tourism industry to the nation.
Each year TRA delivers a mix of research reports and forecasts to stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. Its findings underpin government tourism policy and help to improve the overall performance of the industry.
The key sources of data for analysis are two major surveys undertaken of international and domestic travellers. The annual international survey comprises 40,000 face-to-face interviews conducted with departing visitors during which they are asked about their experiences in Australia as well as spend and trip characteristics. The national survey, which involves 120,000 phone interviews with Australian residents, provides valuable insights into domestic travel behaviours and characteristics.
The resulting data sets provide a valuable source of information for analysis. TRA also makes use of data from other agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) and state governments.
Working with Large Data Sets
TRA’s data collection activities lead to the generation of large and complex data sets. While this becomes a great source for insight and forecasts, working with the sets can become very challenging.
Originally the organisation had relied on a range of desktop tools, however it was quickly realised that they lacked the power and capabilities required for effective analysis and reporting.
We invested in the WingArc SuperCROSS desktop tool. After initial assessment, we found that it suited our requirements down to the ground.
Rod Battye
Over the following years, the TRA team continued to work with SuperCROSS to create an increasing number of reports and other outputs. Although regularly assessing the software market, the team was unable to find any alternatives that could provide them with better support.
Expanding Demands
In the early 2000s, TRA noticed an increase in demand for both data and more interactive and dynamic ways for users to interrogate data with easier access and increase linkages to industry. These topics were covered in both the ‘Tourism White Paper’ of 2003 and subsequently the ‘Jackson Report on Tourism 2009’. While the desktop tools were continuing to perform well, it was recognised that more support was required.
“In 2005, a decision was made to introduce interactive online capabilities for users,” he says. “After looking at a range of alternatives, we opted to invest in SuperWEB2 basically because it offered a full suite of products that covered all bases.”
Working with WingArc, TRA developed a powerful web portal through which users could access and analyse data and generate answers to queries. “It became very popular very quickly,” says Battye.
“Users could interact with data using nothing more than a web browser. At the same time it took a lot of pressure off internal staff and freed them up to get involved in other projects.”
Ongoing Evolution
Since the introduction of SuperWEB2, TRA has undertaken three upgrades of the product’s user interface. As well as making the tool even easier to manipulate, this has encouraged new groups of users to take advantage of the organisation’s deep data reserves.
“The WingArc tools are very intuitive to use and new staff require very little training,” says Battye. “Most of the initial support they require is around working with the nuances of our data rather than how to use the software tools themselves.”
The SuperSTAR platform now in place also supports a growing array of subscription-based services being offered by TRA. Organisations and businesses can request personalised reports or answers to specific queries which are delivered in agreed formats. Battye says this is a part of daily operations which is expected to grow further in coming years.
Requests for information and website hits have increased by more than 400 per cent.
This is because people can engage with the data in more interesting ways than has previously been possible. It’s also on the back of building our TRA brand and being recognised as a reliable independent research leader for the tourism industry and having cutting edge technology for our users.
Rod Battye
Battye says one interesting insight unearthed by the WingArc tools was a significant change in the pattern of accommodation use by backpackers. Rather than relying on old-fashioned backpacker venues, they are clubbing together and staying in serviced apartments, units and resorts.
-
“Backpackers now communicate with each other using mobile devices while travelling
and organise to stay in groups at resorts and serviced apartments
that have tennis courts and pools. This is a long-term trend
that will have an impact on accommodation operators.”Rod Battye
Manager - National Surveys
Tourism Research Australia
Future plans include the rollout out of WingArc’s Business Intelligence and Dashboarding solution, MotionBoard.
This powerful business intelligence tool will help the organisation and its users share information on travel trends.
Thanks to WingArc software, we are well placed to continue to deliver real value to Australia's constantly evolving tourism sector.
It gives us a powerful platform on which we can continue to grow our outputs.
Rod Battye
Customer challenges
- Efficiently and effectively deal with large, complex data sets
- Provide timely data from a range of large and complex collections to government and industry stakeholders
Solution
- SuperCROSS desktop tool
- SuperWEB2 portal for web users
Business benefits
- Streamlined production of research reports
- Increased capability for interactive and dynamic data access for users and stakeholders - 400 per cent increase in requests for information and website hits
- Improved responses to external information requests
- Better staff efficiency through use of intuitive tools and interfaces
- Increased awareness of Tourism as a key industry for Australia’s economic benefit
Want to Know More? Let's Talk
After you submit this form, one of our representatives will be in touch to discuss your corporate needs and organise a limited period trial of our products, if suitable. We won’t share your details and you can opt out of communications from us at any time.