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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Gerran Nottage, CEO of My Own Water Sports, uses online tools to enhance his tourism-based business
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Nassau, Bahamas - For local entrepreneur, Gerran Nottage, CEO of My Own Water Sports, success in business comes from seeing challenges as an opportunity to shift and grow.
The licensed boat captain grew up in the industry working closely with his father, veteran water sports operator Clifford Nottage who started in the business some 30 years ago. After obtaining a Master Tech Certificate in Marine Motors from the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando, FL in 2003, the younger Nottage returned home. He worked in his father’s business for six years, learning from the best how to provide a quality experience for guests and sustain a viable business before starting his own company in 2009.
As the industry grew with little regulation, the market became saturated with unlicensed operators and there was less focus on the overall visitor experience. Earlier this year, local water sports operators received considerable backlash when a travel alert issued by the US Embassy warned American citizens to beware of operators on major beaches in New Providence.
Thumbs Up- My Own Water Sports CEO Gerran Nottage and visitor heading on an adventure
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Nottage realized that in order for his business to continue to grow My Own Water Sports had to change how it connected with guests long before they touched down in Nassau. “We had to have a presence on a wider platform where we could engage guests long before they were attempting to relax on the beach in Nassau,” he said. “Our goal was to move away completely from soliciting guests on the beach by attracting them to our services using tools like a website, social media channels and partnering with established online travel sites.”
In the first quarter of 2016, the company launched www.myownwatersports.com, a fully developed ecommerce site where guests can book and prepay for snorkeling, Jet Ski, Banana Boat and parasailing adventures. An increase social media presence and targeted marketing on sites like Google Ads, Trip Advisor and Expedia were also key steps to opening up a new market for the business.
“We want to change the way people experience the local water sports industry by providing an organized way for guests to view what we have to offer and pay for their services,” Nottage explained.
Just seven months after launching the company’s website, more than 80% of business bookings are generated through the online booking platform.
And customers are responding positively on travel review sites. A recent party of 15, booking through Trip Advisor, shared their experience with My Own Water Sports.
Family of four pose for a selfie before heading out on the sea with My Water Sports CEO Gerran Nottage. The group booked their water sports adventure online.
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“These guys are wonderful and accommodating. From arranging transportation from the port to surprising us with our own private beach for the day, My Own Water Sports went over and above to fulfill our requests. This is a family run operation and everyone worked together to make our day at Nassau wonderful. Coming to Nassau? In need of water sports? - Call these guys they will surpass your expectations. They certainly surpassed mine!”
This instant feedback is a source of motivation for the team of five employees. As the business grows in its reach online, there is also a need to actively respond to any negative experience guests post and share with potential customers. “How we react and respond to client complaints is very public and must be handled appropriately so that guests seeking to book in the future know that we are reputable and are committed to providing value for our services,” he said.
As an added customer service measure, all My Own Water Sports employees are required to complete Bahama Host training. The company is also focused on providing First Aid training to all staff members by the final quarter of 2016.
Future expansion plans for the business include a full brick and mortar store offering guided land and sea tours to visitors as well as car rentals for those wanting to explore independently. And while there continues to be specific challenges unique to the water sports industry in The Bahamas, Nottage is optimistic at the potential for growth and is focused on continuing the legacy his father started into a third generation.
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