Gateway Ticketing Systems UK has been contracted by the Houses of Parliament to deliver ticketing and sales solutions for commercial tours of the Palace of Westminster which began last month.

The Houses of Parliament is one of the leading attractions in London with more than 1,041,000 visitors each year, of which 260,000 pay to enter.

Ticketed tours of the Houses of Parliament are available on Saturdays throughout the year and on most weekdays during Parliamentary recesses.

Visitors now have the choice of a 'Blue Badge' guided tour or a self-guided audio tour, and highlights include the Queen’s Robing Room, Royal Gallery, Lords Chamber, Central Lobby, Commons Chamber and medieval Westminster Hall. Stylish afternoon tea in the Terrace Pavilion is a popular add-on to the tours.

Youngsters take part in an audio guide of the House of Commons

Amy Pitts, Head of Visitor Services and Retail at the Houses of Parliament said: “The Gateway Ticketing Systems’ product has enabled more flexibility for our tour offering and will improve the visitor journey for ticket purchasing and visitor entry for tours.”

Gateway was selected to provide software to replace the previously fully managed service and its solution provides a vastly improved upsell and package options, additional sales channels and direct interfaces with tour operators.

Access to management information including booking profiles and direct integration to finance systems will improve the visitor experience and day to day operations.

Access control software will increase the efficiency of visitor entry, while the improved sales solutions will enhance the visitor journey.

“Being called in to work with the Houses of Parliament on their visitor sales systems and access ticketing solutions is a real win,” said Andy Povey, Operations Director of Gateway Ticketing Systems UK.

"We are proud to be working with such an iconic attraction providing behind-the-scenes support. The addition of the Houses of Parliament takes us to five key London locations within a half-mile radius.”

Gateway Ticketing Systems UK is the leading provider of ticketing, revenue management, and admission control solutions for visitor attractions in the UK and Ireland. Established in 2012, it has secured eight clients in its first 20 months of operation.

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