WHO, AND WHAT, IS THE TRAVEL TRADE
AND WHY YOU AS A TOURISM BUSINESS SHOULD ENGAGE.....
The travel trade isn’t a single entity. It consists of different types of operators and third party agents operating a range of business models. They might be DMCs, tour operators, Wholesalers, travel agents, online retailers (OTAs), short break operators, group travel organisers, domestic coach travel. Put simply, the travel trade is where others (buyers) package your product and sell it on, either to other buyers or direct to the public, groups or individuals domestically and internationally.
And the travel trade plays an important role for our international visitors too. In our top priority market USA, 55% of travellers will use an intermediary, such as a traditional travel agent. In Germany, our second largest market, 65% of travellers will book through a German based tour operator or travel agent. Working through the travel trade is an important route into these markets.
Who can benefit from working with the travel trade?
Accommodation providers from hotel to guests houses and B&Bs as well as exclusive use operators.
Visitor attractions, experience and activity providers, sightseeing and guiding services of the general and specialist kind.
Not sure if your business is a fit? Simply come and speak to us. We are here to provide advice.
What we do
We represent our members at travel trade shows both nationally and internationally. Visit Scotland Expo and Explore GB are key examples of this. Held annually in the UK, these are flagship Visit Scotland and Visit Britain events. It enables us to meet and network with the travel trade and we know it’s always good to put a face to a name. We also bring the destination to live for the operators through presentations, personalised advice and recommendations as well as potential fam trips around the events.
Specialist training and advice
Our travel trade specialist offers regular travel trade workshops with insights into working with the trade, the expectations and requirements to our regional tourism businesses. The sessions also include one 2 one individual business advice tailored to your business and product which will leave you with the right tools to engage with the travel trade and make the best of the business opportunities it provides.
For the travel trade our team is happy to assist with regional product training, virtual fam trips and itinerary planning sessions. All will be done on request at a time suitable for the operator and their team.
Travel Trade Webinar
Janurary 2024
Travel Trade Operators
In the South of Scotland, the Scottish Borders in the East and Dumfries & Galloway in the West, we are keen to work with DMCs, tour operators, wholesalers, travel agents, activity operators, OTAs and coach operators. It is part of our strategy to engage with the professional travel trade and work closely together, creating itineraries and sellable programmes to be taken to the world.
To facilitate and inspire we work on creating and updating inspiring information and marketing materials. This includes photography, videos, sample itineraries, a product directory and fam trips – virtual and actual.
We are also happy to assist travel trade press with trips into the region and providing information material as well as make introduction to our regional businesses.
We invite UK based and international travel trade operators to visit the dedicated travel trade portal on our website by clicking the button at the top of this page.
