Bear Country, a leader in luxury short-term accommodations, was looking for a way to manage high volumes of wholesale bookings—especially from international travel partners operating across time zones. Traditional communication methods had
become unsustainable, and the company needed a more efficient, scalable way to work with global agents.
Bear Country manages relationships with more than 70 wholesalers worldwide. These travel partners, particularly those located in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, often work outside of Bear Country’s operating hours. As booking volume grew, the team faced increasing strain from email and phone requests, with no reliable way to manage live inventory or reduce manual follow-ups. Bear Country needed a solution that could reduce overhead, offer instant access to availability, and support its growth in international partnerships.
Brittany reminded attendees: if most people aren’t thriving, then most people are operating from a stressed-out place—and the body isn’t built to live there forever. To meet this challenge, Bear Country implemented Barefoot Technologies’ Referral Agent Network (RAN)—a powerful portal that allows wholesale partners to book directly, with access to real-time availability and pricing.
Key features include:
Live inventory and pricing updates available 24/7
Direct portal access through Bear Country’s website
Secure and immediate booking confirmation
Reduced administrative burden on in-house staff
Ability to set a commission automatically
Ability for an agent to track their commissions
Coupon code capabilities
This approach enables global travel partners to self-serve, cutting down on phone calls, emails, and manual processing—especially critical when working across time zones.
“We now serve partners around the globe without worrying about time zones.
That flexibility has unlocked real growth.”
— Calvin Doyle, Assistant General Manager of Bear Country
Bear Country’s adoption of Barefoot’s Referral Agent Network (RAN) has significantly improved their international booking performance and operational efficiency. From just 493 bookings in 2023 to 784 in 2024—a 59% increase—RAN generated over $1.4 million in rental revenue last year alone. With 410 bookings already made in 2025, the upward trend continues.
This rapid growth reflects how easy, 24/7 access to live inventory through RAN empowers wholesale partners across time zones while reducing the strain on internal teams. RAN has become essential to Bear Country’s strategy for expanding reach and boosting revenue.
RAN’s global impact in 2024:
35% of bookings originated in Canada
30% from Australia
22% from New Zealand
Additional activity from the UK, USA, and Europe
Even outside of RAN, the system serves as a model of operational excellence, supporting Bear Country’s broader distribution strategy. By simplifying booking access and enhancing reliability, RAN has reshaped how Bear Country does business.
Key benefits realized:
Stronger Revenue Performance: Significant year-over-year growth
Improved Internal Operations: Fewer calls and emails from partners
Global Partner Support: Live inventory access empowers international wholesalers
Better Accuracy and Trust: Real-time data minimizes errors and confusion
With RAN, Bear Country has created a scalable, dependable system that strengthens relationships, increases bookings, and positions them for continued success.
“The RAN system has been a game changer for our team, our travel partners,
and our business. It’s easy to use, with live inventory updates our partners can rely on.
Instead of managing calls and emails, bookings are handled instantly through the
portal—especially helpful for our overseas wholesalers working in different time zones.
It’s efficient, user-friendly, and supported by a responsive team at Barefoot. We’ve seen
a clear increase in bookings and look forward to continued growth with our partners.”
— Delaney Brooks, Marketing Manager of Bear Country
Barefoot’s RAN helps you reach new markets, increase direct bookings, and create strategic partnerships with a network of trusted referral agents—all while maintaining control over your inventory and commissions.
Top Ways to Use RAN:
Schedule a demo to see how Barefoot can grow your business.