International travel is one of the great pleasures in the world, and despite challenges faced around the globe, this sentiment has staying power. The roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines suggests new promise for the resumption of international travel in the near future, so it’s important for travel advisors to recalibrate their selling strategy to encompass more than the pandemic itself when connecting with their customers. Here are key tips for advisors to consider as they move forward in selling international travel to their valued clients.
Remind Consumers Why They Love Travel
Re-imagined selling means reminding consumers about why they love international travel – enriching and rewarding experiences, the opportunity to see and do new things, the chance to engage with new cultures, a way to relax and reinvigorate the body and spirit, creating life-lasting memories, and living out their dreams with family and friends or on a solo adventure. Encourage clients that they deserve the opportunity to breathe easy and embrace their travel passion, especially after all the time they’ve spent at home since the pandemic began.
Recommend What’s Not Mass-Market
Consumers crave comfort and confidence when it comes to international travel, but right now crowds don’t equate to these things. One crucial way advisors can deliver reassurance with international travel is to recommend that clients visit destinations not considered mass-market. These destination are typically less crowded and not overflowing with tourists, whether it’s in hotels or restaurants, on the beach, or while visiting attractions. In many cases, these destinations have always embraced fewer crowds, even before the pandemic.
Suggest to clients a choice of destinations with larger land masses and sparse populations. The idea of social distancing is likely to remain for a while, so quieter destinations that have not been on everyone’s radar allow travelers to comfortably and safely spread out. Advisors can also recommend destinations that have gone above and beyond by implementing solid safety measures. In this way, they can still be by themselves and feel safe while engaging in a soul-satisfying international travel experience.
Embrace Outdoor Activity
International destinations where the emphasis is on being outdoors holds huge appeal, especially after months and months of sheltering in place. Plus, there is still a comfort level in spending lots of time outside to reduce virus transmission.
International destinations that present an abundance of outdoor pursuits also offer travelers the opportunity to reinvigorate their connection to health and wellness through both being active and taking the time to relax in new surroundings. After delighting in lots of outdoor activity, guests can return to their accommodations, enjoy personalized treatment at resorts, and move around freely.
A non-mass-market international spot like Belize offers extensive outdoor activities including scuba diving the Great Blue Hole, snorkeling to see colorful marine life, swimming with whale sharks, kayaking and paddleboarding in scenic lagoons, nature walks to see botanical gardens and butterfly farms, hiking Victoria Peak, exploring ancient Mayan caves and temples, zip-lining, bird-watching, horseback riding and more.
Deepen Destination Knowledge
Knowledge is an extremely powerful tool when it comes to re-imagining how to sell international travel. The more insight about a destination that an advisor possesses – whether it’s knowledge of pandemic-related measures to ensure smooth traveling or the latest happenings in a destination – the more valuable they become to their clients.
Becoming a destination specialist is an excellent way for advisors to gain practical information and inspiring travel ideas to share with their clients, which helps build connections and can enhance loyalty. The Belize Travel Specialist program offers advisors an opportunity to learn about the destination in-depth, become a certified expert, and better sell Belize to clients seeking a country known for its miles of beaches and strong ecotourism product. Belize was also recently awarded the Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel & Tourism Council in recognition of the country’s enhanced health and safety protocols.
Consider Proximity & Familiarity
Understanding what’s important to your clients is crucial for selling travel as some may be interested in international travel that’s not too far from home. Consider recommending to your clients international destinations in close proximity to the U.S. and that have good air connectivity for easier travel.
After gauging a client’s comfort level, advisors might suggest international spots that afford some familiarity with language (such as English-speaking or where English is widely spoken) and currency (the U.S. dollar).
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Whatever global challenges are faced, the love for international travel remains strong. At the heart of international travel is the chance to engage with other cultures, explore stunning landscapes, embark on new enriching adventures, and build vivid memories than magnificently reveal themselves to your clients over and over again.