Policies governing the PEI Central Reservation System

BookPEI is the new Central Reservation System for Prince Edward Island. It sells PEI tourism products anywhere / anytime through any channel, including the Tourism PEI Call Centre, the Provincial Visitor Information Centres, Destination Centres, Smartphone app and regional websites. More importantly though, visitors can book rooms and activities online through multiple channels: the Tourism PEI website, travel agents or the website of your own establishment.

New in 2011 - campgrounds have been added to the BookPEI Reservation System and are now available for online booking!

In the past, online reservation systems were only viable for larger operations. With the launch of BookPEI in January 2009, Tourism PEI has made a considerable investment in a system that can be accessed directly by even the smallest participating partners.

Research has shown that visitors are looking for one-stop shopping when planning and booking their vacations. It was determined that each year the tourism industry in PEI was losing business to its competitors whose direct-selling capability was becoming increasingly sophisticated. We now offer the capability for vacation planners and visitors alike to plan and book their vacations online.

In 2010, over 3,900 bookings were made through the system. This is a 94% increase over online reservations made in 2009!

How can you participate?

There are three levels of involvement in BookPEI:

You have the right to limit your involvement with BookPEI (for example placing two of five rooms on the system.)

What do you have to do to be part of BookPEI?

A) Sign up your account with Tourism PEI 1-866-213-7521 or bookpei@gov.pe.ca

B) Set your room or unit descriptions, rates and rules, and keep your inventory up to date

What does it cost?

For 2012 the BookPEI fees will be $100 - $150 (depending on number of units) per license number. This includes FREE website photos for your English and French web listing.

First time users of BookPEI get one-year FREE.

Policies governing the PEI Central Reservation System

The following document governs the business dealings between Tourism PEI, the tourism operators and the customers using the system. Making inventory available for online booking is not mandatory, however the following terms and conditions regarding the correct advertising of vacancies still apply for those operators listing their vacancies through the system.

  1. RESERVATIONS: A booking through the Central Reservation System is an agreement between tourism operator and customer. Tourism PEI only assists and guides the reservation process. In order to properly guarantee bookings, cancellation policies must be properly listed and explained. Operators can input their respective policies directly into the system.
  2. PAYMENTS: Tourism PEI is not responsible for collecting or distributing funds. Bookings are secured through the customers credit cards. Tourism PEI does not collect any credit card information and no financial transaction takes place as the result of a booking through the central reservation system. Credit card numbers are collected to secure a reservation, they are not being processed or verified by TPEI. If upfront payments are required by operators, arrangements must be made directly between the operator and their customers. If a traveller has not fulfilled their end of the contract, the credit card number may be used to charge a fee in accordance with the operator's cancellation policy.
  3. POLICY: TPEI will be guided by the principle of responding to customer needs during the booking process. It will not favour any one tourism establishment over the other.
  4. PRIVACY: Tourism PEI is bound by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. F-15.01, which governs the collection, use, disclosure and security of personal information.
  5. TAXES: It is the responsibility of each operator to contact the provincial Department of Finance and Municipal Affairs to determine which taxes they are to charge on accommodations. It is also the responsibility of the operator to remit PST (if necessary) to the Department of Finance and Municipal Affairs.
  6. ACCURACY: The Central Reservation System will only work if listed inventory is accurate. The PEI tourism industry cannot afford the loss of credibility that accompanies inaccurate inventory information and double bookings. Tourism operators agree to only communicate inventory that is correct and up to date.

    7. Unit Information: Unit information is provided and maintained by the operator. Tourism PEI will provide technical support but is not responsible for the accuracy of the unit information. Operators are responsible for updating unit and rate information on an on-going basis and are encouraged to confirm that this information is being displayed accurately on our website (www.tourismpei.com)

  7. INFRACTIONS: There are two types of infractions:

    1. Misrepresentation of the property and prices
    2. Misrepresentation of unit availability or vacancy

    Infractions will be monitored by Tourism PEI and three verified infractions within 12 months will lead to a removal from the Central Reservation System for one month. Repeated infractions may lead to removals for longer periods. A customer complaint does not result in an infraction and will only be recorded if an investigation shows it to be justified. Tourism PEI Vacation Planners will work with operators to ensure honest mistakes are avoided or minimized.

For more detailed information and updates visit www.bookpei.com or call 1-866-213-7521