The travel industry has been evolving, and the speed at which it has changed over the last few years is astonishing. The pandemic pushed the changes further and disrupted the industry in ways we couldn’t imagine. The good news is that companies can use this opportunity to stay informed about the latest trends in the travel industry and adopt new ways of catering to clients.
Dos and don’ts when you run a travel business:
- Offer competitive prices: The surest way to get people to come to you for travel packages is to offer them too-good-to-be-true prices. You can be sure if you don’t make your client feel special, somebody else surely will.
- Develop a niche audience: Instead of catering to everyone, create a niche market for yourself. Focus on offering unique travel tours and services, like destination wedding packages or travel deals for history buffs. It can be a great way to reach out to your customers; on their part, they don’t need to research for hours on the Internet to get what they want. They can find you online and directly contact you for specific packages they need, saving them precious time and energy. They won’t mind spending a little more for this convenience.
- Flaunt your team: There’s no harm in attracting clients by showcasing your talented team. It will convince them about your capabilities. If you plan to engage with them online, include a chat facility on the website. It will facilitate the quick exchange of information and helps to establish trust.
- Offer something special to your clients: Instead of selling transportation and accommodation that almost every travel agency sells all the time, focus on adding something extra. It could be an unusual local experience or a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience they cherish for the rest of their lives. If you pamper your customers, they will never forget it. Offer special perks in their itinerary; it makes you stand out from the rest.
- Be prompt: Everyone is looking for instant gratification these days. It’s no different with travel enthusiasts. Clients are going to expect immediate quotes, recommendations, and confirmations. So, don’t sit back and relax. Be more proactive and keep your customers posted with the latest developments.
Here is a list of don’ts that you need to follow to run a successful travel agency:
- Never try to compete on prices: It’s a gross mistake if you try and offer the cheapest rates on products sold by other travel companies. It only diminishes your profits because you must sell much more to survive.
- Don’t sell what is already available online: Selling what can be booked online with a few clicks will be a challenge, you can be sure. A savvy traveler will shop first and check rates offered by different travel booking websites. Instead, focus on customized travel packages at reasonable rates and including unique travel experiences to attract customers. They will value that personalized service that big online companies cannot provide.
- Don’t ignore digital marketing: Your brand must have a solid social media presence because prospective customers need to find your agency online. You must remember that today the first point of contact with a prospect is almost invariably online. So, whether it’s Instagram or Facebook, you should have a strong band of fans and followers.
Follow these easy guidelines, and you won’t have trouble negotiating the challenges of the travel industry. You must adapt to new realities and learn to leverage new technologies, sales channels, and markets.
