A recent report by Myriad & Travel Market Report sheds light on travelers' shifting preferences:
• Compared to the prior year, travel agents are seeing a 43% increase in demand for smaller, more private vacations.
• Travel agents are seeing a 44% increase in demand for private cabins or villas.
• There's a 39% increase in interest over last year in small ship or expedition cruises for the upcoming year.
• Most travelers are interested in vacations at North American and Caribbean beaches.
HOLD STEADY
The survey by
Myriad
reveals some interesting information about the rest of 2020 and early next year: while Americans are changing travel plans, they definitely still want to get away. After months of quarantine in busy cities, people are looking for escapes.
With a bit of preparation and strategy, boat owners can certainly adapt and set sail this year.
TRANSPARENT AND THOROUGH PLANS
One of the key takeaways from the report is summarized in this quote from a travel advisor:
“Keep us informed of the openings and new protocols to assure our clients.”
Whether a charter or not, COVID-19 protocols and a safety plan for bad weather are paramount. If you have a website, a brochure, social media pages or any type of advertising, this information should be prominent.
Hopefully, at this point a telemedicine kit
is part of your comprehensive safety plan. If so, be sure to let potential clients know that with a telemedicine kit onboard, you have a virtual walk-in clinic anywhere, and that it is designed to work in low bandwidth environments. A doctor consultation is a phone call away no matter what cove you’re tucked away in.
CLEAR PROTOCOLS
Second, be very transparent about your COVID-19 protocols for staff and guests through
signage
and detailed sanitization procedures. By having clear policies in place, you're reassuring potential clients that their safety comes first and foremost.
Savvy businesses will look at this as a time to lure in new clients. Focus on communicating the ease, safety and freedom of a vacation on the water.
Embrace this time as an opportunity, not so much a challenge. But, always be prepared.