Onwards and Upwards!
04 Feb 2008

In this update: Introduction On the road to excellence Travel Surveys Computravel Stats

2008 began with a notable increase in traffic to www.computravel.co.za.

On the road to excellence
Computravel is on track to becoming the website of choice for all South Africans shopping online for that annual holiday, short break, weekend escape or a grand once in a lifetime trip.

We make holiday shopping online easy and fun for the virtual traveller wanting to turn dreams into reality. After selecting one or more of the packages it is then the responsibility of the experienced registered Computravel consultant to turn that longed for break into the reality of tickets and vouchers, ensuring that the traveller receives an excellent return on his hard earned cash.

By applying cutting edge new media development we have achieved:

• exceptional graphical content, rich and relevant information
• current and constantly updated exciting and varied holiday packages
• industry leading tools for inventory management
• accurate marketing & sales statistics for analysing consumer travel trends
• database expansion of prospective clients country wide
• access to experienced travel consultants who advise and guide the traveller to the holiday package best suited to their needs.

We believe that online sales via the Computravel site will increasingly augment revenue opportunities for the travel consultant and tour operator. But there is one golden rule in selling – its ‘the early bird that catches the worm’!  Consultants must contact the prospective traveller in the quickest possible time, establish how committed he/she is about travelling, then strive to secure the booking on that initial call. Tour Operators must be vigilant that prices are correct subject to availability, currency fluctuations, etc.

Travel Surveys
TripAdvisor, which alludes to being the world's largest travel community, recently conducted a survey of more than 2,500 travellers offering an outlook into travel for 2008. Highlights from the survey are provided below.

- 26 percent of travellers intend to be more environmentally conscious in their travel this year. Green travel is key to Earth’s fragile environment! 

- a healthy 34 percent of travellers are planning to engage in an educational activity on holiday this year, such as a cooking, art, dancing, singing, flower arranging, wine making or exercise classes.

- 48 percent of travellers are likely to visit a spa while on vacation in 2008 and 13 percent will go on a dedicated spa vacation this year.

- 80 percent of travellers are concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses while traveling.

- 78 percent of travellers believe that cell phones should not be allowed on flights.

Niche markets with their special interests and hobbies are realizing the power of a more targeted approach. Individuals representing this group are often repeat customers and more willing to purchase related products and services. In addition these travellers typically provide valuable word-of-mouth referrals with their networks. Eco-tourism has become a force in leisure travel and tour operators would be wise to take cognizance.

Deloitte’s have released their 2008 Travel Industry Trends Report, which finds that five key trends will significantly impact on industry expectations, strategies and brands in 2008;

1. The Changing Customer; niche travel and mini vacations will increasingly become more favourable to the leisure travel.
   
   
2. Globalisation; the introduction of casino type resorts around the world will likely continue to drive significant growth.
   
   
3. Safety & Security; According to a global survey 17% of leisure air travellers across the globe said that the new security requirements will deter them from traveling by plane. 10% of business travellers said that they would try to avoid travelling by air.
   
   
4. Technology; In the Deloitte’s October 2007 Travel survey found that in the past 12 months 83% of respondents say they used the internet to research and or purchase travel primarily because they found it easier and more convenient or felt they got a better deal!
   
   
5. Environmental & Social Responsibility; Greater awareness by leisure and business travellers, through heightened media attention and instant access to information, are attuning consumers to become more responsive to the potential consequences of climate change, man’s carbon footprint on Mother Earth, poor nutrition and other social issues.  ‘Green travel’ being the buzz phrase.

To end on a positive note; at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos Jeff Clarke, Travelport's President and Chief Executive Officer, said that he sees no major impact on travel as a result of an economic slowdown, "Consumers tend to be very price elastic and so, when prices go down, more consumers travel."

Computravel Stats
Below are Computravel’s statistics taken from Google analytics for December 2007 & January 2008.


Below are more detailed statistics for this period:

Thank you to those who have supported us in our first 3 months live on the web – may we all be extraordinary and resilient in the face of rolling blackouts, increased fuel costs and a nervous economy!

Lindsay Quail
www.computravel.co.za