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Attract International Travellers to Your Activity Business
As an activity operator, you notice that travel trends change every day. For instance, travelling is no longer considered an optional luxury but rather an essential lifestyle element among today’s youth - the millennials, who also claim the largest share of international travellers. We have compiled some current travel trends to help you capture some of this lucrative market:
Adventure Trips
Millennials value experience over cost and cliched locations. They are the first-of-their-kind generation, having been raised with regular holiday experiences. 2016 saw the burst of adventure activity bookings that is continually on the rise in 2017. Regardless of where a young traveller is from, they are out and about to adrenalize, discover untouched places and get out of their comfort zone in a remote location. If your activity business includes adventures like paragliding or bungy jumping – this is your time to shine!
The Hottest Destinations are the Lesser-Known Places
In 2016, around 65% of Chinese tourists reported that they have visited at least one farm or orchard. While the hustle and bustle of Auckland will always attract international tourists, there is an increasing desire to explore the countryside and lesser-known locales. These places give them uninterrupted experiences and a glimpse into our authentic local lifestyle. Is your activity business located in the heart of the bustling city or somewhere in the beautiful countryside?
The Chinese Market
This is the biggest tourism market in New Zealand, second only to Australia. The Chinese spend big money on their travel and with the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism underway, this sector is only on the rise. Being the most tech-savvy travellers, they prefer to deal with activity operators that have a solid digital presence and accept mobile platforms. Language can sometimes be a barrier to getting your message across. Mandarin versions of your brochures will assist in connecting smoothly and achieving return bookings from this large demographic!
American Travellers
Being the third biggest tourism sector for New Zealand, Americans love something extra on the table! Luxury offerings motivate them to spend more and book extended stays. An American traveller is likely to plan and book trips in advance. More than three-quarters of women travellers in 2016 travelled solo!
The Memorable Experience
As travel becomes more convenient and affordable, tourists want to explore to every corner of the world and take unique experiences. Give them the memories that will revitalise their experiences when they talk about it with others. They will then become the word-of-mouth brand ambassadors for your activity operation.
Regardless of what activity business you have, the good news is that more and more tourists are visiting New Zealand every year and you can take advantage of this influx and these trends to improve your activity operation. There are multiple opportunities to tap into – the international tourism industry offers more than just generating an income from. It is also about building upon the intangibles and reputation, creating lasting impressions to drive repeat businesses.