Did you know that you already hold the secret to having even more loyal clients?
It’s quite simple — and the biggest barrier may be your own vulnerability in sharing what’s important to you. As Brene Brown, author of “Daring Greatly,” says: “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
So, what is this secret? It’s sharing your passion for an important issue that a traveling client can relate to and feel good about. Studies show that adventure travelers care about the impact they have on destinations, people and wildlife. Keeping your values to yourself limits your ability to connect with clients; showing you care creates an opportunity for personal connection.
Imagine if you shared your preferences for experiences, lodges, tours and even aircraft that are thinking differently and changing the way they operate. What if you guided clients toward businesses and destinations that take a stand on different issues?
One example is supporting companies that are eliminating single-use plastic.
There isn’t a mindful traveler out there who doesn’t see the plastic cups, water bottles, straws, bags and wrappers that permeate the travel experience and think, “What a waste.”
Upon landing in Nairobi, Kenya, while on a recent business trip, I found out that no plastic bags can enter the country. Alternatively, during a recent family vacation in Canada, despite not using a single water bottle provided by our hotel — since we had brought our own single-use bottles — we ended the trip with a collection of eight water bottles on our television stand from the daily housekeeping resupply. Your clients are also having these experiences, and as their trusted travel agent, if you take a stand and help them choose operators wisely, they will feel more connected to you.
When the Adventure Travel Trade Association voiced its commitment to eliminating single-use plastic, the support was broad and far-reaching. Along with companies such as Peregrine Adventures, Lindblad Expeditions, Maple Leaf Adventures and Natural Habitat Adventures, countless others reached out to voice their support and ask to be involved in future projects.
By sharing your passion, you open up opportunities to draw others in.
So, choose your mission. Dive into it, and share it with your current and potential clients. Together, you can change the world a little.
The Details
Adventure Travel Trade Association
www.adventuretravel.biz
