GetYourGuide Blog – GetYourGuide.com

There are 7 billion people on Earth. While 4.2 billion own a toothbrush, a whopping 5.1 billion own a smartphone. At the end of 2012, Google/Nielsen conducted a hugely in-depth survey into trends of smartphone users, to understand how smartphone use could affect business.

Here are the top findings which show why going mobile is essential for business survival, especially in travel/tourism industry.

1. 73% of mobile searches trigger follow-up actions

Smartphone activity converts to action, both online and offline. What’s more, is that 55% of follow-up actions happen within one hour of the search.

This is especially true in tourism. People book hotels and flights in advance, but oftentimes plan what they will do while they are there. This is the very reason why Taiwan has opted to make it’s nationwide free WiFi available to tourists as well as locals.

Mobile Searches Results

2. 45% of mobile searches “are conducted to help make a decision”

What’s more, is that in a store, that number goes up to 66 percent. This means that mobile searches are powerful indicators of purchase trends, and also a powerful tool for all business owners to exploit.

With tours and activities, it is well known that the majority of bookings take place just before an event. If consumers are using their mobiles to help make a purchasing decision, you need to make sure that you are represented online. Make sure your website is up to date, or that your tour is on a booking platform, such as GetYourGuide. People can’t research you if they can’t find you.

Search Outcomes

3. 28% of mobile searches result in conversions

As we mentioned, a very important fact for business owners is that smartphone activity converts. 28% of mobile searches result in conversions (store visits, calls or purchases)- all of which can contribute to overall sales.

If a tourist is looking for tours on their smartphone, they will want to make a booking. Mobile marketing is still relatively new, but growing fast. Successful businesses need to get on-board now, and factor mobile into their marketing strategy.

Mobile marketing will account for 15.2% of global online ad spend by 2016. Don’t worry though, we’re here to help. Stay tuned for more tips on how to make sure you are ready for the mobile revolution and keep getting those bookings!

Sources: Google/Nielsen report, 2012, Berg Insight, 2012

Taiwan

Going on holiday is one of life’s pleasures. But unless you are prepared to disconnect totally from your daily life, connecting to the internet on holiday can be awkward, expensive or just downright impossible. Taiwan has recognized this and has become one of the first countries to offer free wi-fi to tourists and locals alike. With a healthy tourism industry, it is exactly this type of forward thinking which will help encourage the estimated 7.7million visitors this year. Taiwan’s move has shown us that two things really work in tourism- thinking ahead and generosity. Do you think every major tourism city should support this?

Taiwan’s 4,400 Wifi spots

Thinking Ahead

Mobile is the future of tourism. Last minute bookings account for 60%-70%  of all activity or tour based volume. In-destination marketing will obviously work best, but the question is, what type? People increasingly want the reassurance of a review- which means that if you’re online, you’re more likely to grab the attention of that indecisive last-minute customer.

Generosity 

Sometimes the short term financial hit is worth it in the long run. By eliminating expensive mobile roaming charges, Taiwan has taken steps to ensure that tourists have a better experience, but also are increasing the chances that they will be making these last minute purchases, which in turn pumps money into the local economy, as well as local tour guides’ pockets.

Generosity pays!

Mobile is something we’re really excited about at GetYourGuide. We’ve been talking with our new Head of Mobile, Edial Dekker, about how mobile can help our suppliers, and in the forthcoming weeks, we will be sharing what we have learnt with you, right here.  Stay tuned!

Image courtesy of  israelity.com

Meet Mike West

Mike West, 30, is a passionate music fan from England, who has been living in Berlin since 2010. Following a super popular Bowie Night at his club night Feeling Gloomy, he began running his incredibly successful David Bowie Walking Tour. Having recently signed up to GetYourGuide, and instantly selling out, we thought we’d pester him for a few insights into his success. Here are his top tips!

1. Find Your Niche
“I was shocked to find that there wasn’t a walk dedicated solely to Bowie in Berlin. There are so many great things to do and see in this city that we can show visitors and fellow residents.  I can imagine it is hard for new tour operators to get started and really stand out from the already packed crowd, but if you love something about your city then go out tell everyone!”

Leading the tour

2. Find Your Inspiration
“Meeting a variety of people and hearing their Bowie stories makes it very worthwhile. It’s amazing the amount of Bowie facts people have to share! I’ve met some great people who I’m still in contact with. Plus, let’s not forget- I bloody love Bowie! I love his many facets from the music to the movies, to the myths and legends that surround his career. It’s easier to keep something going when you have a genuine passion for it.”

3. Find the Time
“Find out how you can make your tour fit into your schedule. Personally, I only do the tour once a fortnight on a Saturday afternoon. That’s because I also have a day job at a media publishing company and run a nightclub, so this is what works for me.”

Mike at the famous Hansa Studios

4. Recognize Your Challenges and Address Them
“My ongoing challenge though is that my tour is a pretty small walk, which is also fairly informal. I am always trying to maintain that low-key charm, but keep it popular. I also wanted to broaden the Bowie Walk’s clientele, which is why I joined GetYourGuide.

Mike on tour

Interested in joining Mike on his tour? The next one is 29th June.

Interested in sharing your stories with GetYourGuide? Send us an email - we’d love to hear from you!

Success!

A few weeks ago, we reached a big milestone at GetYourGuide- 20,000 tours and activities online! Yahoo! We’re dedicated to making sure our customers have the best time on the tours they book through us, and somewhere along these 20,00 tours, we have noticed that there are some foolproof ways to help guarantee your tour is the best.

1. Give clear directions
You can have the most organized, fabulous tour in the world, but if the customer can’t find you, what’s the point? This may seem obvious, but it is extremely common for meeting point directions to not accurately describe where your customer should go. Don’t forget – oftentimes tourists are new in town, so make sure you clearly describe where you will meet them. You might know the streets like the back of your hand, but they don’t! Pick somewhere easy to find, and if possible, as unique as possible. If you have to meet in a popular area, wear or hold something which distinguishes you from other tour guides.

Lost?

2. Be honest with your descriptions
If you have a description online, be honest! It is very tempting to ‘jazz up’ a description, but ultimately, if something is missing that the customer was looking forward to, you can be assured they will be disappointed. Make sure that if something ‘might’ happen, that you make it clear that it is only a possibility. Of course, make your tour sound as appealing as possible, but don’t include stuff that simply won’t happen.

3. Be friendly, helpful and go the extra mile … figuratively!
A guide’s job is to educate, inform and help. The tour is only part of the experience – the tour guide is the real driving force behind whether your customers have a good time or not.

Are you having fun on your tour? If you are having a good time, there is a strong chance your customers are too! Be engaging, be happy, be helpful, and try to squeeze in as much as possible. Gauge the tone – maybe some guests don’t like familiarities, but oftentimes a friendly tone of voice can transform an average tour into a great one.

4. Be on time!
Holiday time is precious! By being on time, you are being professional and respectful, and customers will love you for it. Although holidays are for relaxing, a lot of people have itineraries and the last thing anyone wants to do is wait around.

Wasting time

5. Exceed expectations
Sometimes that magic ingredient could be as simple as a happy guide, an extra question being answered, a surprise bonus – basically making the customer feel that they are being looked after, special and getting something ‘extra’. As cheesy as it sounds, you shouldn’t be aiming to meet expectations – you should be aiming to exceed them.

Any questions? Get in touch for more information - we’re happy to help!

images courtesy of designhappyuk.files.wordpress.com,  community.bingads.microsoft.com,  jonathanschorr.files.wordpress.com