Because the tourism industry provides services that connect people and distant places, the nature of the business determines the deep impact of the new crown epidemic on it, and under the heavy mountain of the "epidemic", all tourism-related enterprises have been overwhelmed, whether it is large enterprises or small and medium-sized enterprises, bankruptcy, bankruptcy, and layoffs have become the norm.
In the context of the normalization of the epidemic, where is the future of tourism? What is the current situation of traditional travel agencies? What does the future hold? Pay attention to today's "Hello Maker" column and listen to the experience and insights of Wang Dong, president of Zhumadian Elderly Tourism Association and general manager of Zhumadian Spring and Autumn Travel Agency.
Mr. Wang introduced: He first did hotel work, and then he set up a travel agency at the Sesame Flower Hotel, where he worked, and he began to contact travel agency-related business. In 2004, due to the restructuring of the enterprise, he and several partners established the Spring and Autumn Travel Agency, specializing in the tourism industry.
At the beginning of the establishment of the Spring and Autumn Travel Agency, it was just in time for the booming period of tourism, and every time it came to the "Golden Week", they were very busy, and even arranged 30 to 40 cars of tourists during the "Golden Week" (at that time, the travel was mainly by car). Even in normal years, they have a reception capacity of 10,000 people per year. But after the epidemic, from the demarcation point of 2020, the tourism business plummeted.
Mr. Wang said that in fact, since the 2010 "World Expo", he has foreseen that traditional travel agencies will be affected. "I think in fact, just like the economic cycle, the tourism industry has reached a peak, and I began to slowly transform into the elderly tourism section at that time, specializing in serving the elderly and customizing the tourism planning they want for the elderly."
Why such a shift? Mr. Wang said that this is due to the trend of China's economic development, including China's aging process. The elderly still have a lot of time after retirement, and many elderly people have the dream of traveling around the world, but how to visa for outbound tourism? How do I book a flight? None of them are familiar with it, and for travel agents, this can be an opportunity. Therefore, the Spring and Autumn Travel Agency decided to take a special group of the elderly to help the elderly realize the dream of "seeing the world". Because of the honest and intimate service, over the years, they have met a group of elderly fans, and even some people have followed them all the way from domestic "travel" to foreign countries.
When it comes to the new crown epidemic, Wang believes that the biggest victim is the travel industry. As the boss, Mr. Wang is deeply difficult. "Although I didn't go to work at that time, in fact, we also paid a basic salary and a living guarantee of more than 1,000 yuan, but there were still some employees who left, including old employees who worked with me for a long time, because of this epidemic, they did not see hope in this industry and left." This made Wang always feel more heartache than losing money, and his heart could not get over this hurdle. Especially in July and August this year, their tourism routes were planned, and tourists had already paid fees, but because the epidemic was repeated, they had to collect money and refund, refund and then collect, collect and return again... "At that time, it was really painful, and I collapsed."
Thinking bitterly, Mr. Wang believes that in the context of the normalization of the epidemic, it is important to find your own position. "Now when I talk about product promotion, I will integrate some things from traditional Chinese culture." He hopes to integrate more new connotations into tourism, such as adding classic culture and health content. At present, they are building a "Confucius Academy" at the Royal Station to integrate Sinology culture into tourism; on November 6 this year, the Spring and Autumn Travel Agency launched the "Bama Tour" (with government subsidies, no shopping).
Under the epidemic, the tourism market will become more and more segmented, although it is unable to fight back against the capricious epidemic, but the cultivation of "internal strength" is a lasting lesson in every industry, including tourism, whether in content or form, tourism enterprises need to deeply understand the changes in consumer demand, deeply cultivate the tourism segment, and take a small and beautiful, content and quality development route. Mr. Wang and his Spring and Autumn Travel Agency are on this road of exploration. Let's conclude with the host's comfortable words: I wish Mr. Wang and his travel agency to find their own light, and the more they go, the more open they are!