Dockwa and the Association of Bahamas Marinas Partner, ABM Designates Dockwa "Official Marina Booking Engine of Bahamas Marinas"

NEWPORT, RI and THE BAHAMAS – November 1, 2017 –  The Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM), the leading online destination for cruisers exploring the islands of The Bahamas, has simplified the reservation process with the launch of the new ABM website and designation of an official booking engine, Dockwa, an award-winning seamless marina reservation platform which connects boaters to marinas in real time, online and by app.

ABM’s new website leverages technology throughout the site to simplify the process of locating and reserving at marinas throughout the islands, including the integration of Dockwa, which boaters to submit reservation requests directly to marina staff via the dual-sided software. Marinas confirm reservation requests on their end with a single click via smartphone, computer, tablet. Boaters are automatically notified and securely billed when their reservation requests are approved, and the marinas’ reservation books are updated.

In addition to vetting and selecting Dockwa as the official booking engine of the Bahamas, ABM has staffed and trained a dedicated call centre to respond to requests for information or reservations that come in by telephone (toll-free: 844-556-5290, or U.S.: 954-462-4591) or email reservations@bahamamarinas.com. The call centre completes the site as a ‘one stop shop,’ giving travellers to The Bahamas the ability to make slip and hotel reservations at all of the 29 member properties, as well as flight reservations for those not traveling by boat, with just one phone call.

ABM President Stephen Kappeler described the new online experience as “a leap forward for boating to The Bahamas. While we’re close and relatively easy to reach from points in the southeast, it now becomes a simple, secure procedure to identify your marina destination and make your reservation. We also expect to achieve greater market penetration using the online presence we have fostered. In addition to our website and partnership with Dockwa, the ABM is now very active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. We’re easy to find and, if you’re an avid boater, chances we’ll find you”, he says.

Dockwa co-founder and CEO Mike Melillo looks forward to improving the boating experience in The Bahamas via this partnership with ABM. “The Association of Bahamas Marinas is at the forefront of making new technology accessible to their partners. Boaters familiar with cruising these islands will be pleasantly surprised when they are able to seamlessly reserve their slips and moorings online or with the free Dockwa app.”

For ABM partner marinas, Dockwa’s marina management software streamlines the reservation process. Dockwa not only expands a marina’s marketing reach and provides a better customer experience, it also increases operational efficiency and frees up time for marina staff.

By incorporating Dockwa’s reservation platform into the ABM website, boaters can explore their options in the Bahamian archipelago – on eight islands of which the ABM has members – and request a slip or mooring, all from a mobile device.

About the Association of Bahamas Marinas

The ABM has 29 members and represent the major marinas at points throughout the Bahamian archipelago. The association also leads the charge at boat shows in the south east, representing the boating community in partnership with the Bahamas Tourist Office.

Over the next 12 months, that partnership will represent The Bahamas at Ft. Lauderdale Int'l Boat Show (1-5 Nov.,2017), the Stuart Boat Show (12-14 Jan.,2018), the Yacht Brokers Show, Mia Beach (15-19 Feb.,2018)’ the Palm Beach Boat Show (22-25 March.,2018), Trawler Fest at Riviera Beach, (Jan. 2018) and the Miami Boat Show (15-19 Feb., 2018).

Learn more at www.bahamasmarinas.com.

About Dockwa

Founded in May 2015, Dockwa is an award-winning unified marina reservation platform which connects boaters to marinas in real time, online and by app. Boaters download the free iOS or Android app or log in online, and then search, explore, reserve, and pay for their reservations in a matter of minutes. Marinas then use the Dockwa platform to confirm the reservation, collect payment, and deposit the customer’s information into their intelligent database with a single click.

Headquartered in Newport, RI and Cambridge, MA, Dockwa rapidly expanded along the Eastern Seaboard in its first year, with a growing marina network of more than 500 marinas. Dockwa has since expanded into the Great Lakes region, the West Coast, and beyond.

Learn more at dockwa.com.

###