Strategic marketing company, Classic Portfolio, hosted its first Tuesday Talk on May 12 with great insights from industry experts on a variety of issues facing the industry during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
On the panel:
- MD of New Frontiers Tours, Craig Smith
- Steppes Travel MD, Justin Wateridge
- Explore Inc. Founder, Cherri Briggs
- MD of Go2Africa, Maija de Rijk-Uys
- Askari Founder, Muriel Truter
- Founder of Encompass Africa, Jono Wilson.
Panellists agreed that while guests and experiences (lodges and camps) were essential, their trade partners were critical in linking them. Trade partners create demand and educate customers, they have expertise and add value in crafting safaris.
All panellists admitted that they should confidently charge customers for the service added and consider greater transparency on service fees vs safari costs.
Collaboration continues to be a hot topic in the industry and the panellists were united in saying that constant communication and strengthening relationships were vital during this time.
The webinar discussed that once travel started to resume, guests would be making more conscious and responsible travel choices while also expecting far more transparency.
Everyone agreed that players in the industry needed to watch out for ‘greenwashing’ and that, as lodges and camps, their responsibilities and impact must be clearly explained.
Classic Portfolio’s Tuesday Talks still have plenty to discuss every week.
