What are the latest tour operator industry trends and how can you stay competitive?

One option is to create and deliver exceptional sustainable travel experiences that consistently exceed the expectations of my clients where culinary experiences play a big role.

Always offer your clients what you would like !! People travel for so many different experiences, listen to their needs, tailor make as much as possible (one size does NOT fit all) offer choices and have alternatives at hand. Cater to different tastes/cuisines (never leave a person hungry, they will remember this always) use reliable, tried and tested DMCs as they represent YOU. In our profession one mistake can be your last one.

Personalisation is the new luxury ! More and more travellers want to have their own private experiences apart from the mass market (not all the time, but once in while). And they are ready to pay for it. But to be able to provide personnalised service, it is important to know who your client is. And for a tour operator it is important to cater to the right clients. You don't sell to everbody ! (This is something I very often hear, when working with small local operators). It takes time to create unique experiences, to train local partners, to prepare marketing material and to reach out to your "perfect clients". But at the end you will have a value-chain that suits perfectly to exactly this client.

In my opinion personalization is key in the tour industry. Travelers seek unique experiences. Operators should analyze data and feedback, offering tailored options and recommendations. Technology, like AI and AR, can enhance personalization, making it a competitive edge in the post-COVID world. In a post-COVID world, where travelers are more cautious and selective, the ability to customize and personalize travel experiences will be a competitive advantage. It’s about providing not just a trip, but a journey uniquely tailored to each traveler’s desires.

The tour operator needs to know completely and directly the product he is offering. You should rely on the best DMCs according to the target. You must know the job of each tour guide. You must specialize and must have the ability to correctly guide the travel agent and the client. When this is achieved, success is imminent.

We can practice these options as well 1.Ethical Tourism: Collaborating with local communities to offer experiences that benefit them directly. This can include homestays, community-led tours, and supporting local artisans. 2.Wildlife Conservation: Developing tours that contribute to wildlife conservation efforts, such as responsible safaris that don’t disrupt animal habitats. 3.Carbon Offsetting: Offering travelers the option to offset their carbon emissions from flights by supporting environmental projects. 4.Local Partnerships: Working with local suppliers and organizations to ensure that the economic benefits of tourism are distributed to the community and contribute to its sustainable development.

Encouraging would be travellers to participate in enviro friendly activities and ethical practices on a tour is valuable to the whole industry to sustain its durability on the long run. In a country like Srilanka which has an agrarian based economy, the opertuniteis to get involved in such ethical/enviro friendly methods/way of life practiced since milinea, would definitely be eye openers to clients which adds value/satisfaction to their travel experiences.

I absolutely agree: Sustainability is changing from a niche market to a more mainstream market. But it will be important not only to talk about responsible practices that a tour operator is adopting, but to get an official certification to prove it. And it is not only for the clients to have an outline of which tour operators they can trust, it is also a great tool for the tour operator itself to get its sustainable practice schemes right. Start measuring from a point 0 and then improving every year, fixing objectives.

Supporting the local communities, protecting the environment and creating sustainability experiences through travel, is the best way to make people physically aware of the environment since the term "Global warming", has not just been overly used, it is however, also a very broad terminology. One will be amazed how many people / traveller's are actually in that mindset of helping the universe / earth to "heal" and to give back.

Sustainability of tourism industry and tour operator role is patched up well however the painful aspect is the competition where price isn't allowing tour operators to maintain that sustainable and responsible tourism. Like: I am witnessing in Pakistan Karakorum Mountains. Many trekkers preferred to travel on budget. (At some point one inquiry pasted to more than 20 operators) just to check the cheapest offer. The problem is not the competitive price but the sustainable Tourism and local community suffering due to competitive price. 20 days trek to K2 base camp will be totally opposite to sustainable Tourism. Carosine oil is using, plastic is using , tin packs are using, mass tourism, no back up and cleanliness of porters and groups.

In the tour operator industry, technology and innovation are transformative. Travelers seek convenience, safety, and enjoyment through digital tools. Operators can adapt by: 1. **Online Booking**: Offering seamless online booking and payment systems for easy reservations. 2. **Digital Communication**: Utilizing social media and mobile apps for real-time communication and engagement with customers. 3. **Virtual & Augmented Reality**: Providing immersive experiences through virtual and augmented reality to enhance travel adventures. 4. **AI & Big Data**: Leveraging artificial intelligence and big data to optimize operations and marketing, delivering personalized experiences.

Nowadays technology does travel and communication between guests and hosts much easier than it used to be. Both as a traveler and as a tourism professional, I am a keen supporter of travel technologies and I highly recommend them to any hotelier, from family run guest houses or B&B's to big hotels and resorts. However, having said that, I do stand up for personal face to face communication whenever it's possible. Technology can't make us forget that our industry is about people's life experiences. The clients need to know that there's someone behind caring for them. My experience tells me that meeting a client in person can make the difference between a nice stay and one that you can't wait to repeat. Let's not forget about this.

I've seen a lot of companies offering customers with payment systems options like - The "buy now, pay later" option that lets them book hotels, resorts or specific activities without having to pay for it first. It's a trust building trend where you allow your customers to make bookings or reservations at zero cost and also gives them the flexibility to come visit the site first and look at the offerings, and only pay for it if they like it. Customers are also allowed to cancel a booking at any time. - Travel loans where customers can book an entire international tour with a tour operator who has partnered with fintech firms or banks that offer customers a personal loan that can be paid off in monthly EMIs after the trip.

The development of tech solutions for the travel sector has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years. Certainly, software that creates a professional looking itinerary that wows clients has been a game-changer for us, both in terms of enquiry to booking conversion and also re the information and documents that it can provide via a smartphone during the trip. No need for all those paper vouchers and tickets any more! Integrating Google Maps links and pins into the itinerary have also been absolutely key in ensuring a seamless and stress free trip for our clients. Harnessing comms software has also enabled us to provide efficient and effective real time in-country support, making clients feel looked after and valued.

Yes, technology has come a long way to assist us as tour operators as well as clients. Although it is important to offer technology, it is still crucial not to forget the human element i.e. personal human touch, where the client does not feel as if they are speaking to an AI.

Diversity and inclusion are vital in the tour industry. Travelers desire experiences that respect their identity and background. Tour operators can respond by: 1. Cultural Tours: Offering diverse cultural tours that celebrate various identities and backgrounds. 2. LGBTQ+ Friendly Trips: Providing inclusive trips that are welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. 3. Accessible Travel: Ensuring travel options are accessible to all, regardless of age, gender, or disability. 4. Multigenerational Travel: Crafting packages that cater to travelers of all generations. By embracing diversity and inclusion, tour operators not only meet traveler expectations but also foster a more inclusive and welcoming travel environment.

This is a curious subject, as I have never had the need to ask about a client's gender identity, religion or background! They're simply not relevant unless the traveller has a specific interest that they wish to indulge on their trip in which case I am delighted to create a bespoke trip to France that will tick all their boxes! The same goes for travellers with mobility issues. Anything is possible... including a multi day trek on horseback across the Pyrenees mountains that I arranged for one particular wheelchair user! It's a case of having the right local contacts (or knowing how to find them) and a 'can do' attitude!

1. **Hygiene Protocols**: Implementing rigorous hygiene and sanitation measures to ensure traveler safety. 2. **Regulation Adherence**: Staying up-to-date with travel guidelines and regulations to maintain a secure environment. 3. **Flexible Policies**: Offering flexible booking and cancellation policies to accommodate unforeseen changes. 4. **Insurance & Assistance**: Providing travelers with insurance and assistance services for added security. In a post-pandemic world, addressing health and safety concerns is essential for traveler confidence and the revival of the tour industry.

Social Media marketing and sharing real-time tour experiences in Key. Before many tour operators would ignore all forms of social media marketing but after COVID, people started engaging more via social media and first see other tourists' experiences, especially via social media to book them. It is also cost-effective if compared with other forms of online marketing. Social media is generally user friendly and any tour company's social media presence is key and now game changer

Inclusive and regenerative tourism *benefits* host communities and the environment. - Take inclusion further: are you repeating "single stories" about people and place, or can you complicate them, share counter-stories, etc.? - Apply regenerative approaches -- consider how you impact interrelationships, systems, and eco-social processes. Help communities flourish. - Work in collaboration with local and translocal stakeholders. Work with local residents and consider their needs, too. - Consider the healing/wellness possibilities of tourism: how can you bring locals and visitors together in transformative ways?

Customised personal approach following sustainable trends; responsible tourism and respecting local environment. Tour operator opens a door to other country or region for the clients.