I speak from personal experience when I say that we have probably never felt more fragile than during the past few months, thanks to the effects of this pandemic. There is, however, always a chance to remember and focus on our ability rather than our fragility. This is one of those moments, and here are five reasons to help you feel inspired as an adventure tourism operator.
Reason no.1 – The intrepid travelers DNA
No-one quite knows what the travel regulations will look like post-Covid-19, but based on multiple sources. It seems to be steering towards what looks like severe restrictions on group travel and, of course, group interaction. This means less engagement with groups, of course, and potentially far less PAX than the adventure sector has seen in years gone by. BUT, if we look for the “silver lining,” it is more likely to attract and, more importantly, be able to attract the ever-growing intrepid adventure traveler who is used to experiences that don’t include a tour bus and travel guide. To explore is in our DNA. From the first adventurers to cross the Pacific to the first man on the moon. Humankind wants to explore, and no-one will ever change that. People will crave experiences more than ever, and the first to dream, it will be the intrepid traveler—an excellent reason to stay positive and get ready for recovery.
Reason no.2 – You are and always will be an innovator
Who developed safety protocol guidelines for zip line operations or river rafting companies, or tandem paragliding operation? You did! Who empowered local communities through training in all aspects of tourism from the front of house and online marketing to professional guides trained and required to save lives on a day to day basis? You did! Who had to create and jump through hoops to get the authorities to recognize and approve adventure activities on a commercial level? You did! We know this because we work for you and cannot count how many times at Floodin PRO we have drawn inspiration from our adventure tourism clients in overcoming challenges and innovating to find ways to do things smarter and better. The adventure tourism sector might not have any specific guidelines from the multiple associations and organizations around the world on when and exactly how they will proceed. But what is certain is that the majority of the ideas and strategies that will work will come from you! The adventure innovator. So get innovating like you had done multiple times before and succeeded. Another great reason to stay positive and dive back into the adventure.
Reason no.3 – Technology is a shoulder to lean on
Could Covid-19 have come at a worse time? I know this is debatable, but for this post, let’s say. Hell Yes! Imagine the only option of communicating with your past. More importantly, your future customers were by running a TV ad on the travel channel, which would undoubtedly cost you more than it cost you to set up your entire operation. In today’s climate, we have social media with unlimited options to connect you and your experience with potential customers. There are digitized databases from past customers helping you engage with and remind. Who you are and how great their experiences were with you. And of course there’s a service product like Floodin PRO (Yes that’s us and yes please look us up) that still enables operators to sell video and photos to pre covid-19 customers which has and will continue to help generate added revenue in a time of little to no revenues coming in. Not to mention digital check-ins, Step by step digital guides, Online payments, and so much more that have and will continue to enable you to cater to adventure tourists even with the worst restrictions dampening your operations possibly being expected in the coming future. It’s an excellent time to get yourselves ready. What’s going to streamline your customer’s experience, limit interactions amongst tourists and potential staff? How should you be adjusting your marketing techniques and the list goes on. The majority of these questions can be or will be answered by technology, and that’s something to be grateful for and give you some hope that the Adventure sector WILL still support you.
Reason no. 4 – Post-Covid-19 travel budgets will fit.
It’s been mentioned multiple times (mainly when discussing post-Covid-19 tourism) amongst what we like to call “the negatives” that adventure tourism is, and I quote ”a luxury” and that no-one will be able to afford to partake in activities and go on a holiday. That might be relevant for the traveler who’s idea of a once in a lifetime experience is dining at the Guys Saboy in Paris at close to $500 a plate (no offense Guys Saboy, I’m sure it’s worth it) but for the intrepid traveler wanting to skydive for the first time or the father. He wants to bond with his son in nature while sea kayaking. It’s way more than a luxury. It’s a lifestyle, and as mentioned, it’s in our DNA to travel, explore, and more than ever experience life. The adventure sector offers activities that cater to all types of tourists. In this case, to all budgets, it’s a silver lining that, if used smartly, can help persuade the traveler whose dream is to eat at that expensive restaurant in London to instead spend their money on something that will enrich their lives. Long live the adventure!
Reason no.5 – The passion in Adventure
There is no doubt you have put your blood, sweat, tears, and very much your savings into creating, defining, and improving your adventure tourism operation over the years. It’s a business with no foolproof template and can continuously change from day to day with the weather. You might have known that getting involved in Adventure tourism from the very beginning, or you might have only found it out later. However, if you are still reading this article after precisely 900 words, likely, you are still fighting, yet believing, and still planning for post-Covid-19, and that, my friends, takes an amount of passion.
Passion is what got you here, and combined with hard work and, let’s face it, a little bit luck, passion is what’s going to get you through this and succeeding in the future, post-Covid-19.
I hope this article inspires you, the ever conquering adventure operator, to keep pushing forward and working towards providing travelers with experiences that enrich their lives and promote the preservation of our natural world. Thanks for reading.
About the Author
Lance considers himself extremely lucky to have been involved in the adventure tourism industry for the past 15years. Starting as a guide, then as owner/operator of a sea kayak op while running a video production company servicing the adventure sector and for the past 5years has been creating automated video photo editing solutions aka Floodin PRO specifically for tourism operators, helping you generate added revenues and gain the online exposure your activity deserves. He likes to spend his very little free time surfing and kayaking in and around uncrowded, warm, and perfect tropical waves.
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