Modern Travelers Behaviour
Today travellers, no matter their age, background or even social status, have many things in common regarding travel behaviour.
After a few years of research and observation, I would like to categorise and call them ” The Seven Steps of the Modern Travelers Behaviour.” Modern Travelers Behaviour
1. Inspiration – Thinking about going on a trip.
We all have found ourselves dreaming about places to visit, activities to do, hotels to stay. Travellers inspiration can come from different sources. For example, dreaming of the sun on a rainy day often inspires booking a sunny summer destination. Or sunny winter weather inspires us on a ski weekend, coming just around the corner. Modern Travelers Behaviour
2. Research – Searching online, looking for ideas on places to go and things to do.
At this point, we are starting looking for a destination, winter or summer, or maybe just a city break, staycation or trip abroad. We come up with questions like: So how can we spend our time? Which activities are we looking forward to doing? More serious than dreaming but trying to figure out a possible plan. Modern Travelers Behaviour
3. Planning – Searching for Alternative destinations, dates and prices.
So by now, we know where we want to go, and we try to plan. Checking dates, but also checking prices. Often different dates are accompanied by a variety of prices. So this is the time when all things are getting to fit in our puzzle.
4. Validating – Getting serious now!
At this point, every traveller is recapping shortlisted hotels, locations based on availability and price. This stage may be one of the most crucial in the decision-making process. After this stage, the next one is quite technical.
5. Booking – Selecting a booking channel.
Many players in this game part. Online Travel Agencies, Direct Airline and Hotel website’s, Tour operators, Travel Agencies. All of these channels are available, but a decision has to be made, who will get the actual booking.
6. Travel – Going to destination booked.
Not that the previous stages are not fun, but this is the most fun for every traveller. Actual travel, travel to the place of your choice, exploring the destination and enjoying all the services available there, resting and indulging at the accommodation of your choice and exploiting its facilities. We create memories, as those are the important things we bring back from every travel experience.
7. Sharing- Sharing memories, photos, videos, comments, reviews
Social media is a big part of everyday lives nowadays. Instead of creating a physical photo album like in the past, we share our experiences with our friends, contacts, and co-workers online. So what we share inspires others to visit specific destinations, hotels, activities. Alternatively, with just one negative feedback, not many people are willing to follow our steps.
So make sure your business is present in every single step of the Modern Traveler Behaviour.
In our next post, we will try to explain how and why you should be present and noticed by potential customers.
