June 18, 2007
Can big British travel companies compete with specialty travel agents?
I'm collecting articles from British newspapers today. First, the British travel industry is changing. Thomas Cook will merge with MyTravel and First Choice will merge with Tui, the German owner of Thomson.
According to the article, "The key to their long-term future will be offering holidays that Ryanair and easyJet can't hope to provide, such as cruises to Antarctica and treks to Tibet."
But how does a company that tries to do it all compete with niche travel companies? This article talks about companies that specialize in all sorts of niche travel markets:
Custom itineraries such as "gorillas in Rwanda, Latin American bird-watching and musical festivals in Mali."I just don't see the big companies doing well in these specific niches. At some point, travel has to be a labor of love rather than a corporate exercise. Posted by James Trotta at June 18, 2007 6:26 AM | TrackBackTours to the Middle East, Iraq, Afghanistan and Iran that often change due to military activity.
Expeditions in Egypt into unvisited areas of the Sahara.
Adventure sports like "motorbike safaris through the Philippines, volcano surfing in Nicaragua and trips to Switzerland to replicate James Bond's famous leap off the Verzasca Dam in Goldeneye."
Weekend bike trips that "trace the stages of the Tour de France and Dauphine Libere cycle races."
Skydiving, skiing and summer breaks in the Alps.
Races in crappy cars (or riding crappy scooters) through dangerous areas known for bandits and whatnot.
