How do travel companies outwit the Amateur Expert Traveller with professional expertise that commands a premium?
Anyone selling a service has to have the knowledge and tools to be able to treat each customer as an individual.
People will only pay a premium for a service which is tailored. A good example of this is a friend who was booking a multi–stage holiday to Thailand.
This trip included chartering a plane and a boat. I wasn’t entirely surprised when she told me that she could not find an agent to help her!
Talking to her she was happy to pay a premium for someone to just take all the hassle away.
This example goes a long way towards proving that while many industry watchers think the Internet will take over the travel industry, the human touch is still required.
In our last industry survey, Amadeus found that 75% of industry experts think that we won’t all be booking our holidays online.
As more of the world becomes accessible, we’ll still need the help of traditional travel agents to help us find that holiday that’s just a little bit more interesting.
I predict that we will see growth in niches such as adventure and religious travel. The companies that get a head start in these areas will be the ones that succeed.
As with any form or retailing, you have to get involved with the discussions your customers are having, build relationships in order to be able to meet their needs.
Let’s not try to outwit the consumer, let’s work with them to find that niche.
How do travel companies outwit the Amateur Expert Traveller with professional expertise that commands a premium?
Anyone selling a service has to have the knowledge and tools to be able to treat each customer as an individual.
People will only pay a premium for a service which is tailored. A good example of this is a friend who was booking a multi–stage holiday to Thailand.
This trip included chartering a plane and a boat. I wasn’t entirely surprised when she told me that she could not find an agent to help her!
Talking to her she was happy to pay a premium for someone to just take all the hassle away.
This example goes a long way towards proving that while many industry watchers think the Internet will take over the travel industry, the human touch is still required.
In our last industry survey, Amadeus found that 75% of industry experts think that we won’t all be booking our holidays online.
As more of the world becomes accessible, we’ll still need the help of traditional travel agents to help us find that holiday that’s just a little bit more interesting.
I predict that we will see growth in niches such as adventure and religious travel. The companies that get a head start in these areas will be the ones that succeed.
As with any form or retailing, you have to get involved with the discussions your customers are having, build relationships in order to be able to meet their needs.
Let’s not try to outwit the consumer, let’s work with them to find that niche.
NB: This How To is authored by Tim Russell, UK and Ireland MD for Amadeus.