TravelBizBuzz

My hat goes off to TripUp (recently acquired by SideStep) for the CouchSwap application it recently added to the online social community, Facebook. I think they’ve hit the nail on the head, as far as Facebook users’ lodging habits go by answering the burning question: “Where can I find a free place to crash?”

First, CouchSwap speaks loud and clear to the demographic that makes up the majority of Facebook. Now, I’m no research engine, but speaking as a first-generation Facebook member from the days when it was for college students only, I can confidently tell you that most people on Facebook are either in high school, college or their early to mid-twenties.

Insight: Since my college years aren’t that far bygone, I can recall that when this demographic thinks “travel,” they’re thinking “cheap.” Most of these people are trying to figure out how to afford text books for the next semester and pay off student loans. That means road trips replace air travel, and a friend’s couch replaces a hotel. And don’t even think about a car rental — these folks are under 25.

The most amusing part to me is that the CouchSwap application is even trying its hand at user reviews. That is, CouchSwap allows users to rate the “comfort” of each other’s couches, according to the Aug. 1 press release from SideStep. Clever, but I predict that the quirky Facebook community will use this rating system more as a joke, or best-friend-o-meter, than to actually describe a couch’s true comfort.

But congratulations, TripUp and Facebook for uncovering a group of travelers who may never make an appearance in an airport or hotel — unless they’re traveling with their parents, who are conveniently footing the bill. Even though most Facebook users are strapped for cash now, Facebook and TripUp are wooing a demographic that someday will be older, wealthier and still traveling — and looking for a trusted place to spend their cash.

--Lindsey Rushmore, Editor-In-Chief, Travel Distribution Report—

Posted by TDR at 03:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today's BizBuzz is by guest blogger, Steve Crowhurst, with SMP Training Co.

If there’s one general revenue-generating tip I could pass on to travel retailers, it’s that your ultimate resource is not the Internet or the latest back office application — it’s your creativity.

Don’t make the mistake of leaving all the creative work up to your preferred suppliers -- they’ve already given you seats, beds, rooms, cabins, tours and treks

In need of inspiration? Find a copy of “The Romantic Journey” by Edmund Swinglehurst and take the time to read every word. Twice. It’s the story of Thomas Cook -- the guy who created the business model for present day travel agencies. My hero. The god of retail travel who built a worldwide travel empire back in the late 1800’s without a mouse, hard drive or Bill Gates. Cook’s story will inspire you and your creative drive.

Creativity and speed go together for a bankable ROI. You have to be fast off the mark when it’s a fad-based idea, and you’ll want to be slow, steady and methodical when you’re the only one with the concept. The difference in creative speed is practice, experience and learning how to “see” the opportunity.

Example: Take the huge worldwide event built around the last of the Harry Potter books. Did you run out to the agency and put together your Harry Potter tour for families, adults, school groups?

Another tip: Have you noticed that Bosnia has a new tourism website? You should be all over this. It is the next new niche destination. It’s where East and West have crossed roads for centuries. Be first in your community with a program to Bosnia.

If you’re looking for more ways to turn up your creative soul, contact me at steve@smptraining.com. Send me your “need an idea” challenge, and I’ll send back some serious “how to” to rejuvenate your profits.

Steve Crowhurst
SMP Training Co.
T: 250-752-0106
steve@smptraining.com
www.smptraining.com

Posted by TDR at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)