Entering the most fascinating, most glamorous, and by far the greatest industry around the planet? Love the sound of a household-based travel business (or beach primarily based:p)? Believe you’ll be able to compete with Expedia?
Bit of a bummer that final one… Expedia. You’ll find a huge selection of huge brand names around all battling it out for the travel business. Expedia alone sinks millions into marketing and brand awareness. Within the UK, we’re looking for at the moment “Everyone Must Go!” billboard and newspaper adverts to capture the last-minute bookers for this summer season – but currently this year I should have observed no less than a hundred Expedia adverts.
Does That Doom The Individual Wanting To Have Into The Travel Business?
No way, josé! It helps it. By Expedia (I will use it as a generic now-onwards) building this big brand bravado and selling millions of dollars worth of travel each year they distance themselves in the client – men and women like you.
It’s a well-known phenomenon that individuals buy from folks they trust, right? So why not leverage that. But there’s a single another secret from the industry that you simply have and Expedia does not – a thing purchasers value!
That secret is just your travel experiences. Expedia can’t inform it is numerous million consumers who are the most beneficial baker within a compact village in France or the top time of day to stroll down the beaches of Anguilla and even the top point to have off the menu inside a B&B off the beaten track. Perhaps you feel that information is worthless, but that’s precisely what visitors are looking for and loving!
You may break into the travel business and own a niche – perhaps there is a destination (or three!) which you just know inside out- somewhere no ‘Expedia travel guide’ will be able to match your knowledge and experience. Why not market that? A niche you know and appreciate?
Of Course, There’s The Large Question; How?
Nicely marketing by word-of-mouth may nicely be very effective; you could market your destination to people today you know – the trust and credibility factor would currently be there. But this may take up a lot of time, and there is only a certain number of times that your best friend will go with you to Mauritius! (or whatever your dream destination might be)
Consider perhaps writing a destination guide or producing a DVD that illustrates your most effective recommendations from your pool of experience (you can use Lulu.com to obtain these produced when and where you need them – so you’re never carrying any excess stock!) and then sell these via Amazon Marketplace or tourist boards.
But AGAIN THIS LIMITS YOU – SO WHY NOT TRY THE INTERNET?
Frightening perhaps (how can you possibly steal small business from the likes of Expedia?) but it is perfectly possible. Stick to your guns – your wealth of knowledge and experience about a single particular niche – and then chase that dream of Beginning a Travel Business. Leave Expedia to do what it is good at, and focus on what you’re good at.
