| Travel That Makes You Rich
Today’s Vacationers Want New Experiences Most
The Signal - Business Section, November, 2005
How do you define a unique travel experience? These days, travelers consider this to be the million dollar question.
Maybe it is what you decide to do at a particular destination, even a place you’ve been to countless times before, that makes it special. Like having a catered meal for two, set with linen table cloths candles and served at a private table on the beach at sunset. Or perhaps it’s going to a new corner of the continent to engage an interesting culture, like getting the insider’s tour of a remote destination, which concludes with an exclusive dinner in a museum-quality home. Maybe it’s pushing the envelope and your physical limits to an exciting new level, quite literally, by riding in a helicopter to the top of a snowy peak to experience the rush of skiing down untouched terrain.
These are all one-of-a-kind adventures that leave travelers feeling richer for the experience. And it has nothing to do with money or possessions. This is called living life; the travel experience as it relates directly to you.
This is also called experiential travel in the industry, and is becoming a booming segment of the marketplace. Now it is possible to personalize even the most generic trip to specifically focus on your individual interests, wants and desires.
Today’s passion for doing rather than having has travelers combing the world for new things to do and see, and flocking to agents for help planning. Knowing where to go and who to turn to for the type of experience you desire is the name of the travel game for the 21st century experiential jet-setter.
In a recent study, The World of Travel in 2020, findings report that travelers of all ages are now defining their experiences and expectations of travel by what they do when on vacation, rather than what they buy, or the stuff they have. The experience-driven vacationer is most compelled by their emotions when buying travel and related services, more than the price tag of the adventure.
Through the pursuit of individualism, the study reports that travelers will be looking for new indulgences such as “controlled danger, unusual environment and cultures, personal or physical improvement and emotional development.” And I agree completely. Based on the increasing demand for unique vacations, or one-off experiences, the role we play as knowledgeable travel consultants has again expanded.
In addition to unparalleled service and attention, it is now imperative that travel consultants provide clients access to global connections to best coordinate and deliver experiences that are tailor-made and individual. Travel as personalized as a fingerprint, that’s what it’s all about.
This is a golden opportunity for us to use our experiences to re-introduce you to the world with a host of new activities and exposures. We can help bridge the connection between ho-hum travel and the adventure of a lifetime.
Whether it’s hut-to-hut hiking adventures in the Alps you’re after, a motorcycle tour through Europe, or the candlelight dinner for two on your favorite Hawaiian beach, we’ve got you covered. Travel should not be complicated, and we can help. Explore the world with new experiences you’ve never seen or done before. When you return, you’ll be richer for it.
Commentary provided by Eric Maryanov, president and founder of All-Travel.com, the Los Angeles-based travel management company with an office in Valencia. He can be reached at 661.775.7511..
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