The paradigm shift of global travel industry
Global travel industry predictions
Is there anyone that still travels without first doing their research on the Internet? I doubt it!
Websites like TripAdvisor, AirBNB and Booking.com are bringing travel right to the traveller’s doorstep.
I think in time most B&B, hotel and fixed tour reservations will be automated.
Is the travel agent dying a slow death?
Now this is where the picture gets interesting. When talking luxury 5 star tours and safaris, guests would much more likely make use of a travel booking agent than just buying something off the Internet, but they are still very well-informed customers.
Personalised travel services does seem to have a place after all
It’s completely possible to put your itinerary together at a discounted price, but to be honest, who (in the upper echelons of income) has time these days to sift through countless websites that present very similar offers?
Let a friendly travel agent put it all together for you!
No, this is not an ad. I can attest. I was stuck in Thailand trying to get a flight out of Krabi during their New Year Festival of Water and after spending countless hours of failed attempts online I just phoned our travel agent who had our tickets booked within an hour.
So DIY is not always DIY after all. The more complicated your itinerary the more likely you’ll need a travel agent…
In South Africa it’s no different. There is fierce competition on all inbound tourism and it’s not likely to change soon. I think the big global players mentioned above has made an impact on the local market putting some companies out of business, but it’s for the greater good of tourism to South Africa. Many were fly-by-nights that just couldn’t afford to stick things out (in some cases, sad stories).
Luckily there are many great travel operators still left in South Africa.
