The success story of WSC Vlietland
”With Recras, we’ve gained controll to grow”
Watersportcentrum Vlietland has it all. From a marina to boat rentals and from a climbing park to various outdoor sports. Owner Jelle knows better than anyone that a well-functioning administration and booking system is essential.
Wide range of offerings
“Over 35 years ago, my parents started with a campsite, including a small marina where we rented out a few boats,” begins Jelle. “Over the years, we kept growing. We’ve now become a full watersports center with motorboats and sloops. We also offer a wide range of outdoor sports programs. You can, for example, build rafts, go dragon boating, and ride water bikes with us. About ten years ago, we also started our climbing park.” Jelle: “That growth was, of course, great, but it also brought its challenges. We used different systems for booking the various activities. For the climbing park, we used Google Calendar and a huge Excel file. Boat reservations were still kept ‘old-fashioned’ in a paper calendar. Over the years, we used four or five different programs for the campsite, and for the marina, we even had a custom program built because the planning was such a puzzle. Not ideal.”
From program to practice
“All the programs had one thing in common: the program determined how you had to run the practice,” Jelle explains. “That could be better. There was a need for digitalization and a fully online booking system. Recras, which was just getting started at the time, turned out to fit our needs perfectly. So, when the climbing park had been around for a year, we decided to implement the new Recras booking system. At first, just in the climbing park, to see if it fit us.”
From practice to program
“It quickly became clear that Recras didn’t determine how we had to run the practice, as many other programs did, but that the practice determined how we wanted to set up Recras. We digitalized the practice, so to speak. Finally, a program that understood us! That was really an eye-opener. This made me more critical of the other booking programs we were using, including our custom-built program. It didn’t take long before the desire arose to use Recras for our other departments as well.”
Development
“I think it took about two to three years before it really started rolling. Of course, Recras hadn’t been around long and was still in development. In the early years, the program wasn’t suitable for all our complex systems and needs. But as the years went by and Recras continued to develop, we were able to transition more and more. We also worked closely with the founders of Recras. It was kind of like being neighbors, but a bit further away. We shared the same background and vision, which allowed us to help and inspire each other. There was room for us to think along and share experiences in both technical and practical areas. I really felt like I was part of the development. By the way, that development is still ongoing. Even after ten years, Recras continues to think along with us, as the user, to optimize the program.”
Full Control
“Would I recommend Recras to other companies and businesses? Absolutely!” concludes Jelle. “I do want to point out that the entry level is quite high. There’s a lot to consider when starting with Recras, in terms of registration and management. But it’s one hundred percent worth it. You’re well supported throughout the process, and in the end, you have full control over what you make available and present, and when. Recras fully adapts to your needs, instead of you having to make concessions as a company. The program has definitely contributed to the growth of WSC Vlietland, both for the climbing park and for the rest of the business. Recras gave us the space and control to grow and develop. That’s unique, if you ask me.”
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Online in 5 steps
- Enter products and packages
- Add starting times and material
- Link with our payment provider Mollie
- Create a workflow to follow up bookings
- Embed the booking module on your website
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