The major elements comprising the universal destination competitiveness model helps to identify the key success factors of destination marketing. Among the many estimated set of indicators used to determine destination competitiveness, local experiences is one of the key points. Elaborate empirical as well as conceptual research points out the relative strengths and disadvantages of different vacation destinations, which can then be taken to study the impact of local experiences on the travelers and vice versa.
The scary travelers of today’s world love exploring unique experiences each destination has to offer and go much beyond staying in the top suite of hotels. Choosing the best dining options and gyms has otherwise become passe. No online website can CostcoTravel take you to the hidden nuggets of the destination except the local folks. So, to match up with the millennials’ definition of travel, you need to indulge with the locals which is way beyond any packaged holiday or cookie-cutter options.
Blurring the edges of traditional definition of travel
It’s important for Travel Agents to realize that selling travel is actually selling happiness. Imbuing travel goals based on interaction with local people makes travel more meaningful than in the past. Authenticity, simplicity, and culture are the new watchwords driving the growth of the travel vacation sector internationally. The development of the completely new travel type is situated entirely on partaking in local experiences. It is not about the best luxury experience but the built-in local touch will definitely add magic to the holiday memory. Remember that the most valued luxury is experience.
Present-day culture travelers have moved beyond the familiar environs and revel in the experience inside of it. Clearly enough, tourists that like to break the mold are more interactive with local residents. This paradigm shift haven’t however, completely embroiled with everyone yet. The focus of investments still remains on the traditional tourism-related components.
To manufacture a layered travel experience, the hospitality industry is gradually promoting themselves as the places for the local community. Although that might not be a necessity but local experience will definitely give a competitive advantage.
Blending together national culture and heritage into luxury travel tours need careful planning and will enhance tourist’s experience. Getting certified from the government vacation policies together with inter-cultural education policy helps to makes the travel agents’ outset more impressive.
Counter homogenization of the travel experience is the new term of the vacation authorities. Taking on local cultural vacation will have an extraordinary lasting affect travelers with like-minded outlook. Traditional directory distribution chains among the travel providers has given way to complex value chains and thus in this increasingly competitive marketplace, providers need to use every chance of competitive advantage. Collaborative advantage through local and government partnership is thus a new convention. Local culture and society has become an essential part of vacation value archipelago. The integrated inter-relationships between travel and other socio-economic sectors are now conceived as a ‘value network’.
Promoting Local Food
Sustainable vacation, which is tantamount to responsible vacation, has been a major concern in the travel industry for the past year or so. Experiencing and enjoying the local culture largely shape around the traditional gourmet industry. Trying traditional food tidies up the cultural experience of the place. Talking of the economic aspect, if you are eating at McDonald’s, instead of reaping benefits for the local community, a major amount of computer leaves the local socio-economic circle. The international traveler’s team are made up majorly the Western tourists and without much doubt, the requirement for Western food is always higher than the local recipes.
While traveling for a single night of stay, people might think it not important enough to plug to the local traditions. However, pennies in the pocket of the local food industry help to uplift the local vacation industry on a larger picture. Walking into a McDonald’s or a KFC might fill your abdomen but will neither add to the local vacation sector nor enhance your experience. For instance, Vietnamese pho is now a big pull for travelers in Vietnam and when in Costa Rica, do not miss gallo pinto. Building connections with the local folks is not always the only expression you get in return but you actually help to build a perception about your nationality in general. A place’s heritage is strongly grounded within the memories of the local people and as the old folks say, the way to a guy’s heart is through his stomach!
Experiential travel — creating a deeper connect
The demand for ‘experiential travel’ is arguably the most significant as well as methodical trend in worldwide vacation. The term typically becomes immersive, authentic, local, and more active travel trend. While some travel enthusiasts would like to claim that travel is inherently ‘experiential’ naturally and that the term is overused, the idea is to make it more mainstream. Travel consumer attitude has varied quite when it comes to local vacation and it is its degree of definition varies widely how the overall trend is greeted.