For most small tour operators, the concept of creating a standardized set of XML messages for the distribution of tour and activity data probably sounds like gobbledegook. For data geeks and standards enthusiasts like the team behind Rezgo, this is a huge milestone in the march towards making small businesses a more visible part of [...]
With the recent release of the Goby iPhone application and the Tnooz showcase of the Siri.com offering, there is a definite increase in interest in on location mobile services that can benefit travelers in destination. Anecdotal data indicates that about 80% of bookings made by travelers for in-destination services occur when in destination (rather than [...]
In my recent distribution and supply chain collaboration sessions at the Adventure Travel World Summit, I had an opportunity to sit down and discuss aspects of distribution with adventure travel operators and outfitters. I was joined on the panel by a number of key players in the adventure distribution space including James O’Leonard (Founder & [...]
Before you can run, you must first learn to walk. You’ve all heard this many times in your lifetime. Although the saying is overused, it is used because it is true. Although the saying can be applied to travel product distribution, in many cases the players are not even crawling yet. The challenge with any [...]
For many in travel, distribution would be considered the lifeblood of the industry. The triumverate of travel, or the BIG THREE of distribution, would tend to agree. These companies, born from the days when the only products you could distribute were airline tickets, have now expanded into other products like hotel rooms, cruise, and car [...]
One of my favorite things about speaking at conferences and seminars around the World is what I learn while I’m there. I often find that I learn just as much being at these confernences as the attendees learn from me. One such experience was at the Creative Lapland Seminar in Rovaniemi, Finland. The theme of [...]
Distribution has been a common (if not cumbersome) part of life for airlines and hotels for many years now. But hotels and airlines are only the thin edge of the wedge when it comes to the abundance of tourism products that could potentially be distributed. Destination product suppliers like walking tours, whale watching, boat tours, [...]
One of the major benefits that small tourism companies have over larger competitors is that they tend to me more nimble and quick to respond to opportunities with technology. The other clear benefit is that the owner/operator or someone very close to the company can add a human face and element to the organizations social [...]
One of the biggest on-line challenges for a small business, especially a tourism related business, is developing on-line credibility. What do I mean by on-line credibility? Basically it is how credible or legitimate your business appears to be to yout on-line audience. On-line credibility is very much like your real world credibility. In fact, I [...]
In celebration of Tourism Week 2009, I would like to present a series of posts that will provide you with the basic tools you’ll need to take the leap to on-line marketing and sales for your tourism business. Although the principles are shared across many industries, I will be referring to tourism specific terms and [...]
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