What Price for Expertise?
In any recession Travel suffers but in the economic collapse that we hope we are now climbing out of it could be that the travel industry will never recover to where it was before. As in many other markets clients seem to be splitting into 2 definable categories: price-sensitive and value added.
The price sensitive is far beyond the client who is looking for a deal, this is the shopper who simply looks at the cost and is inevitably at risk of buying the nightmare holiday rather than the dream one. How cheap does it have to be to be good value if the trip is a disaster?
Value added clients are those who are willing to pay more to get advice on purchases. They might not always approach a purchase that way but if they contact either a travel agent or travel consultant that is in effect their position. 97% of travelers believe they will pay more if they book travel through a travel agent even though this is not the case. Indeed the travel agent can often find better options and deals than are easily found by the client themselves.
Travel agents have a wealth of knowledge about travel but often it is more general, many specialize in certain areas or seek experts for help with specific destinations. Those that specialize are consultants and as consultants they seek to match the best travel experience to the clients requirements by asking the right questions, doing research, and making recommendations based upon their knowledge.
The travel consultant minimizes the risk in purchasing a vacation, business trip, or other travel experience. In many cases the difference in price from other sources is nil, but where there are fees they are clearly value added and worthwhile. You do get what you pay for afterall.
The price sensitive is far beyond the client who is looking for a deal, this is the shopper who simply looks at the cost and is inevitably at risk of buying the nightmare holiday rather than the dream one. How cheap does it have to be to be good value if the trip is a disaster?
Value added clients are those who are willing to pay more to get advice on purchases. They might not always approach a purchase that way but if they contact either a travel agent or travel consultant that is in effect their position. 97% of travelers believe they will pay more if they book travel through a travel agent even though this is not the case. Indeed the travel agent can often find better options and deals than are easily found by the client themselves.
Travel agents have a wealth of knowledge about travel but often it is more general, many specialize in certain areas or seek experts for help with specific destinations. Those that specialize are consultants and as consultants they seek to match the best travel experience to the clients requirements by asking the right questions, doing research, and making recommendations based upon their knowledge.
The travel consultant minimizes the risk in purchasing a vacation, business trip, or other travel experience. In many cases the difference in price from other sources is nil, but where there are fees they are clearly value added and worthwhile. You do get what you pay for afterall.
posted by Huw at
3:00 PM
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