IC TRAVEL AGENT November 2013 | Page 14

History = Sales You’ve heard the phrase “history repeats itself” I’m sure. The fact that it does is great news for home-based travel agents. History is the doorway to sales in more ways than one. The history you don’t want repeated are the world wars and your worst marketing campaign! Let’s explore how other historical events can help you generate more business. For the purpose of using history to sell more travel here are the topics you should study: can imagine. Now those were gutsy women that travelled and no mistake. 1. 2. 3. 4. History of the World There have been terrible wars, battles, strife, kings, queens, biblical events, plagues, and more that have been turned into books and movies and if you study these events and learn from them – each one offers you a niche market to trade on. There is a classic statement: From strife comes opportunity. This is so true especially as events reach an anniversary. WW1 and WW2 as you know have their own Battlefield Tours that attract sons and daughters to witness where Dad or Granddad fought and perhaps died. History of exploration History of the world in general History of the retail travel trade History within your lifetime History of Exploration As you will know, before us went those brave men and eventually women (when they were “allowed”) who explored the jungle, deserts, rivers, valleys and mountains to pave the way for whoever was set to follow. Their excursions into the unknown has presented to you a glorious past that so many of your clients hanker after. Today, people like you and me want to stand on the edge of that cliff and imagine how it must have felt to be the first person (other than the native peoples who already knew “it” was there!) to witness the view. History of the Retail Travel Trade Shame to say that very few new home based agents study the roots of their new industry. Doing so will give you an advantage over those who know nothing. In the history of the retail travel trade we have had our own adventurers and explorers. You can learn from their past failures and successes. Remember history often repeats itself. Over time you would know that whoever tries to sell tickets to the Olympics, loses his or her shirt so you are never enticed by such potential gold mines. Study the history of Thomas Cook & Son and you will gain valuable insight and knowledge you can use today. Thank goodness these historical events were written down, photographed too. Any one book can present you with the itinerary for your next exotic adventure tour. You can find such books printed as large coffee table editions at your favourite book store. If you want to be unique you might want to investigate the women who actually made it out into the wilds in full Victorian dress if you Page 14