The importance of booking official

Sam Coates, head of marketing at Keith Prowse, offers her advice on the reasons to book through official channels when seeking new hospitality experiences.

The secondary ticketing market has long been a source of debate, affecting both industry leaders and ticket purchasers alike, and following ongoing news stories from fans being defrauded out of tens of thousands of pounds by unofficial hospitality providers without genuine tickets, the debate continues.

Whether booking for a boss or on behalf of a client, now is the perfect time to re-evaluate why you should always book official, ahead of the summer’s iconic sporting events and its world-class hospitality experiences, like the Championships, Wimbledon and the Fever-Tree Championships.

• Many customers know the best time to book hospitality is early; the choice will be unlimited, with many premium packages and the best seats in the house still up for grabs. If you are purchasing in the weeks leading up to a big event be cautious that what you purchase doesn’t seem too good to be true. Compare the processes with other sellers and make sure identification and payment is requested through secure links and will be accessible only to you.

• Choose official agents with clear and efficient booking processes to ensure you have a safe and streamlined experience, secure in the knowledge that your ticket will be valid. Secondary ticketing agents are less likely to put the guest experience as priority, so booking through official websites is guaranteed to be a smoother transaction.

• The best official providers will offer far more than the standard one-size-fits-all packages, offering you the option to tailor your experience depending on the needs of your guests. From more informal spaces with relaxed dining options, to premium packages with unrivalled views of the action, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect hospitality offering.

• Provisions secured through hospitality booking allow sellers to better understand the customer, enhance the product and facilitate easier and greater purchasing options. Consumer tastes continue to change the hospitality experience, resulting in investment to ensure the demand can be met. Guests wanting to engage in the traditional sporting experience while combining aspects of hospitality into their visit can benefit from exceptional design and exclusive access to premium seats and stadium areas.

• When you book with authority, you do so because you expect the finest service and experience, sold from the second the conversation with the seller begins. You are not just buying a ticket, you are buying into a business’s brand, their values and reputation, further enhancing value and confidence in the product.