Online tourism?!

Article: http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/40595-Online-usability-with-travel-sites-is-rising-despite-continued-poor-customer-service-

No need in telling you why I chose to share this article with you I suppose? Owning a touristic enterprise when having absolutely no knowledge of websites, blogs, twitter,… could it be? Hmm, as we are living in the century of the Internet-diehards/addicts, I believe profiling your company on the world wide web is required!

As my lecturer, colleagues and I discussed in class, having an uncomplicated website is crucial in the touristic industry in the 21^st century! Booking  a trip online nowadays must be a five minute job and must be as easy cheesy as it can get! But as mentioned in the article, offering your customer a clear overview of your products and services simply doesn’t cut it anymore! Although customer and salesman will never really have a face to face conversation when booking a trip online, the customer considers the travel agent to be the one person to rely on before, during and after his trip. Unfortunately that is where the shoe seems to pinch. Many (surprisingly renowned) touristic companies seem to have forgotten the after sales service.   

As touristic entrepreneurs we ought not to forget that the customer partially indicates the (economic) way to go. Being one step ahead on your clients is what to aim for in theory, but is it realistic? The consumers pattern changes constantly and the consumer's behaviour is not only determined by what is on offer. So trying to guess what the costumer's interests will be in 2020 is a bit of a lost cause.

Today (in 2010) many travellers are crying out for safe and secured trips just to make sure that their money was well invested (because each year big money is spend on the dream vacation). Priority number one for touristic businesses therefore should be to give the customer this warm and protected feeling. By offering holidays online, personal contact is often limited to an absolute minimum. But please, let’s not forget that even these Internet-diehards need someone to count on when being in a tricky holiday situation!

So I guess what I’m trying to say is to be careful when reducing the personal contact with the client! Customer service before, during and after the trip is not to be forgotten or left out (for we are working with people, not robots)!   

Calling Mother Nature on your vacation?!

Article: http://www.newsday.com/travel/us/northeast-us/take-a-peek-at-peaks-with-mountain-forecast-1.2530853


Welcome again in the 21^st century! Meet the National Weather Service, a new forecasting tool not only useful for determined skiers but also for the passionate backpacker!

Planning an adventurous ski or hiking trip has never been this easy! The National Weather Service practically offers you a direct communication with Mother Nature. But isn’t knowing the day or hour temperatures on popular summits a bit the same as knowing all the right numbers of a game of chance? Perhaps it is for some true daredevils who are striving for the ultimate kick?

As for me, a person who is not so much willing to risk her life for a bit of adrenaline, this new forecasting tool is a true gift. And so must it be for many others who are simply trying to have a nice (harmless) winter vacation.

Now for one minute let’s try and forget the advantages or disadvantages for the adventurous traveller and let us have a look at the effect this forecasting tool might have on the local enterprises. When knowing the weather will be less beneficial in the afternoon, would you stay the entire day on the ski tracks or would you rather enjoy a lovely afternoon at the resort's spa? You tell me! I believe there will be some entrepreneurs crying out “mayday” during those times of bad predicted weather and others who will be celebrating and shouting out “victory”.  

As a conclusion I can say that, although I was very astonished by this new tool for travellers, I must admit that I was just as much shocked by the fact that this was actually a “new” tool. I guess I assumed this invention already existed in the city that never sleeps, for we do live in the 21^st century!

Camping or Glamping?

Article: http://www.bbc.com/travel/feature/20101118-glamping-camping-for-glamorous-people

The tourism industry is a continuously developing and innovative sector. So no less was or is to be expected from the providers of lodgings. The sky is the limit, no boundaries, no restrictions. But what about “glamping”? Does camping, with just a little bit of luxury, cross our touristic horizon? Please I ask you, do tell me!   

Over the last ten years numerous entrepreneurs have been testing and stretching the touristic boundaries by inventing or creating entirely new genres of accommodation. So nothing wrong with giving an existing concept another touch! Right? Turning camping into something doable for all types of travellers must have been the main goal of these “glampinventors”. But how make a tent an inviting place to stay in for people who are fond of being pampered?

The examples given in the article show that tents can be combined with the “needed” luxury. But doesn’t it all seem a bit too much? Where are the self-made kitchens? Where are the air mattresses that deflate from time to time? Should tents be provided with bathrooms entirely made out of marble?

In my opinion “glampingsites” are perfect lodgings for travellers wanting to have a taste of the whole camping experience but who are not willing to give up on too much luxury. I do however have some doubts on where to draw the “glampingline”. “Glamping”, just like camping, should represent one main idea. That is to try to go back to nature. I’m not saying all luxury should be left out, but when “glamping” you should give it your all in trying to get in touch with nature. Is sleeping in a new king-size bed during your “glamping adventure” really giving it your best shot? I personally would prefer getting wet when planning to go for a swim rather than just wearing a bathing suite without actually diving into the water!

While keeping everything said in mind, I must acknowledge that making camping look charming for “posh travellers” probably isn’t the easiest thing to do. I do believe “glamping” has got some definite touristic potential and that there is a market put out for these type of tourists, but why not really try and swim in this adventurous water? 
I certainly would!