The Royal Tournament, Aida and the House & Garden Fair among the events now bookable via an Internet box-office built by UUNET UK. Anyone who has ever tried to book or buy theatre or exhibition tickets by telephone is only too familiar with engaged tones or automated call holding systems.
Now, however, there is a new way to buy your Genesis or Motor Show tickets from an on-line box office anytime, day or night. UUNET UK and Earls Court Olympia have worked together to design a site where users can reserve and pay for tickets by credit card. The site can be found at http://www.eco.co.uk/boxoffice/.
The Earls Court box office is part of the Earls Court Olympia exhibition and leisure centre, the world-famous London location for shows and exhibitions.
The venue organises around 130 events annually, including The Royal Tournament and the Daily Mail Ideal Home Show. The new online service will help the centres box office become more efficient and responsive to the 3 million yearly visitors and assist in the growing developments in electronic commerce and demand from overseas.
Designed by UUNET UK, the site is easy to use and employs Java navigation tools to display what's on and where. The site displays all of the shows and events that are running in London as well as an up-to-date calendar of future events. In addition, the web site enables the Earls Court Box Office to reach a worldwide audience.
For London tourists, the Earls Court web-based box office provides a secure and guaranteed way to buy tickets prior to travelling.
Payment is simple and secure. You simply pick the event you want to go to, type the amount and type of ticket and hit the 'Buy' button, where you will be asked to submit credit card details. The card details are then authorised on line automatically, since the system connects directly into NatWest Bank's clearing facilities and handlers at the box office confirm availability and purchasing details.
Alison Berands, Earls Court Olympia Group marketing manager, said, "Selling tickets via the Internet makes Earls Court Olympia, and the events at the venue, even more accessible to the public. As a company, we see electronic commerce as an increasingly important and efficient process and aim to offer more of our products/services for sale over the net."
As well as providing a 24 hour, 7 days a week office facility, the web site offers accommodation, parking information and a travel guide for London. Visitors to the site can also find out about other London venues, such as Wembley and Crystal Palace National Sports Centre or search for details by keywords and dates.
