10 tips for finding buyers in the European tourism sector As a tourism service supplier you are always looking for new buyers. Here are 10 tips to ...
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10 tips for finding buyers in the European tourism sector
As a tourism service supplier you are always looking for new buyers. Here are 10 tips
to help you find such buyers in Europe.
1. Start by doing thorough market research
Start by identifying which European countries offer opportunities for you and through what
channels you can attract tourists from these countries.
Tips:
Read our studies about opportunities in specific European tourism market segments, such
as Community Based Tourism (CBT), birdwatching tourism, adventure tourism, cultural
tourism and MICE tourism.
To find out what kind of buyers you should target in your market segment also see our
study about the channels and segments in the tourism sector.
Check for new data at the Ministry of Tourism in your country, sector associations,
National Tourism Board, etc. Try to find recent statistics about arrivals, country of origin,
lengths and purpose of stay. If possible also check the kinds of visas used, as not all
arrivals are tourists.
2. Check the websites of sector associations
European travel agencies, tour operators etc. are often member of a sector association. In many
cases these sector associations publish lists of members on their website. These members could be
your potential clients. Check the website of the sector association in the specific country, segment,
etc. that offers opportunities for you. The most important tourism sector associations are:
Global
Adventure Travel Trade Association, which is a community of suppliers and buyers focusing on
adventure travel. Becoming a members can bring in good business. The association offers all
sorts of tools, such as blogs, hubs, social media and webinars. They also organise connection
events in many different places.
Austria
Österreichische ReiseVerband (ÖRV), which has over 500 members, including travel agencies,
hotels, etc.
Belgium
Association of Belgian Tour Operators (ABTO), which has a list of members on its website.
France
LES ENTREPRISES DU VOYAGE (EdV) is the most important tourism union in France. A goodsource for information about the market trends, etc. They also have a list of members. Syndicat des Entreprises de Tour Operating (SETO) is a group of major French tour operators. The association is somewhat more oriented towards classic travel. On their website you can also find French market statistics. Association pour le Tourisme Equitable et Solidaire (ATES) is a major French Community Based Tourism (CBT) association with several member tour operators. Agir pour un tourisme responsable (ATR) is an association for responsible tourism, with several member tour operators. Germany Deutscher Reise Verband (DRV), of which most members are large companies. You can become a member yourself as well. Allianz Selbständiger Reiseunternehmen Bundesverband (ASR), of which most members are small and medium-sized travel agencies and tour operators. You can become a member yourself as well. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Südliches & Östliches Afrika (ASA) is focused on destinations in Africa. Arbeitsgemeinschaft Lateinamerika is focused on tourism to Latin America. Forum anders reisen is focused on sustainable tourism. Verband Deutscher Sporttaucher (VDST) is focused on diving. The Netherlands Algemene Nederlandse Vereniging van Reisondernemingen (ANVR) has over 200 members, most of which are tour operators. ANVR has a list of members on their website. Scandinavia The Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) is the most important travel industry association for the Scandinavian countries. PATA is dedicated to long-haul travel to the Asian Pacific. However, workshops are being offered which also include long-haul destinations such as Africa and Latin America. These trade associations do not have staff, but are managed by dedicated colleagues. Therefore they cannot respond to lengthy emails. Use the websites for finding information. PATA has branches in each Scandinavian country: PATA Norway PATA Sweden PATA Finland PATA Denmark Scandinavian tour operators dedicated to Latin America and the Caribbean are organised in the Latin American Travel Association (LATA). Spain Spanish Association of Tourist Professionals (AEPT) Spanish Association of Hotel Directors (AEDH) Accommodation Association of Madrid (AEHCAM) Spanish Alliance for Tourism Excellence (EXCELTUR) Spanish Federation of Hospitality (FEHR) Spanish Confederation of Tourism Lodging (CEHAT) Spanish Center for Responsible Tourism (CETR) Switzerland Schweizer Reise-Verband (SRV) has over 800 active members. United Kingdom ABTA is the largest travel association in the United Kingdom. The associations represents the majority of travel agents and tour operators in the country. On the website you can find out which tour operators from the United Kingdom offer trips to your region. Membership is another option but would not really give you a return on your invested fees.
Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) is an association representing independent
tour operators which are not part of larger companies. On the website you can find out which
independent tour operators offer trips to your region.
The Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) also has a branch in the United Kingdom. The
website contains lists of members in the United Kingdom, not in the other countries.
3. Visit trade fairs
Trade fairs are an excellent occasion to meet travel agents, travel counsellors, tour operators, etc.
Tips:
If you want your visit to trade fairs and exhibitions to be successful, you’ll need to do as
much research as possible into your focus markets. You should have a good number of pre-
fixed appointments covering a major part of your visit before you go.
If you cannot visit trade fairs, at least have a look at lists of participants and exhibitors.
These are your potential clients. Most trade fairs have an index on their website.
Below you can find a list of the main tourism trade fairs in Europe:
Global
Adventure World Travel Summit is the main important international fair for companies in the
adventure travel industry.
Belgium
Vakantiesalon Vlaanderen in Antwerp
Salon des Vacances in Brussels
The Netherlands
Vakantiebeurs in Utrecht is the main tourism fair in the Netherlands.
Anders Reizen in Amsterdam is a fair for niche tour operators and travel agents.
The United Kingdom
WTM London (United Kingdom)
Confex in London (United Kingdom) is a MICE tourism trade fair, with focus on Europe.
Birdfair in Rutland is the most specific fair on birdwatching.
Scandinavia
TUR in Gothenburg and in Stockholm (Sweden)
Möten & Events in Stockholm (Sweden) is a fair focused on MICE tourism.
Konfex & Events in Gothenburg (Sweden) is also focused on MICE tourism.
REISELIV in Lilleström/Oslo (Norway)
The Quality Travel Fair in Copenhagen (Denmark)
MATKA in Helsinki (Finland)
Spain
Feria Internacional de Turismo-International Tourism Trade Fair (FITUR) in Madrid
Salón Internacional de Turismo en Cataluña (SITC) in Barcelona
EIBTM World in Barcelona is a fair focused on international MICE tourism.
Feria Andaluza de Turismo Rural (FERANTUR) in Andalucía is a small regional trade fair
focused on rural tourism.
Feria Internacional de Turismo de la Comunidad Valenciana in Valencia is a fair focused on
beach holidays.
Salón Aragonés de Turismo (ARATUR) in Zaragoza is a regional trade fair focused on naturesports and adventure tourism. Feria Internacional de Turismo de Interior in Valladolid is a national trade fairs focused on cultural and religious tourism. Expovacaciones in Bilbao is a regional trade fair in the Basque Country. Germany ITB Berlin (Germany) Tour Natur in Dusseldorf (Germany) IMEX Frankfurt (Germany) is a special fair for MICE tourism. RDA Cologne is specialised B2B trade fair for small and medium-sized (group) operators. BOOT Duesseldorf (Germany) is a special fair for watersports including diving. France IFTM Top Resa in Paris (France) is the most suitable fair to find potential French buyers, such as outgoing tour operators and travel agencies. MAP Pro in Paris (France) is a smaller and specialized event on French and European incoming group tourism and coach tours. MICE Connect and Meedex (Meeting Destination Expert) are two interesting fairs in the business tourism and event management segment. International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes is the main luxury tourism fair. There are also some interesting business to consumers fairs in France, such as: Aventure du Bout du Monde organizes two major festival (Le Festival Partir Autrement and Le Festival Globe Trotters) where some French tour operators are present as well as potential consumers. Les salons du tourisme in Paris, Lille, Lyon and Toulouse. Destinations Nature in Paris is a trade fair for adventure, nature and active tourism. Le salon du Randonneur in Lyon is also a trade fair for adventure, nature and active tourism. Africa WTM Africa We are Africa Travel Indaba Arabian Travel Market Asia WTM Asia ITB Asia is the most important trade fair for the Asian tourism market. Feedback on this trade show is positive. However, those that have attended mention it is good for regional connections, not for finding European buyers. On the website you can find a list of upcoming exhibitions as well as a list of previous editions. Latin America WTM Latin America 4. Contact your national tourism board Your national tourism board might have lists of foreign tour operators interested in doing business in your country. Contact your national tourism board for more information. 5. Search for online registries In the tourism sector there are many online platforms through which you can find buyers. Here are some examples: TID contains an overview of all German tour operators (about 900 contacts). WHO-IS-WHERE is a registry containing Swedish travel industry contact details in various categories. It has changed from a hard copy book into an online service. You need to subscribe
to access the registry.
Tour Hebdo is a website where you can find lists of all tour operators and travel agencies in
France. You can order the list digitally, or you can order the tourism address book of around
1000 pages. It works as a matrix, showing who is offering which destination. Contact them
through the website.
6. Visit the website of European tour operators
In Europe, about 85% of tourists use the internet as their main source of information about
holidays. Tour operators therefore have good websites, with a lot of information. Try to find these
websites. If the customer profile matches yours, you could try to approach the tour operator with
information about your offering.
Tips:
Try to add a customer profile to each of the tour operators. Do they feature your country
or similar destinations? What kind of products do they offer, who are their clients? You can
often easily find such information on their website. Sometimes you can ask for it and they
will be happy to send you their printed brochure by mail.
When looking for European tour operators, you might need to use local tourism-specific
idioms. These are a few important examples.
- tour operator: reisorganisatie (Dutch), tour opérateur (French), Reiseveranstalter
(German), tour operador, mayorista (Spanish)
- travel agency: reisbureau (Dutch), agence de voyage (French), Reisebüro (German),
agencia de viajes (Spanish)
7. Make sure you have a good-quality website
You need a professional website. If customers cannot find you online – or if your online presentation
is fragmented and shabby – you are not likely to find buyers, at least not in Europe. The internet is
usually the first place a prospective buyer will go to find out more about you and your offer. Once
he finds you online, the first impression he gets may well determine whether he pursues contact
with you or not.
Tips:
Treat your online presence like a digital showroom and always remember that it gives your
business visibility on a worldwide scale. Design and maintain it carefully, knowing that if
you do this well, it can capture the attention of your prospects and, more importantly,
generate business.
Place the design in professional hands and make sure your website is up to date to show
visitors that you are a pro-active entrepreneur. This may cost time and money, but it will
pay off in the long run.
If you optimise your website for search engines you are more likely to be found by buyers.
Have a look at the Google Search Engine Optimization Starters Guide for tips to improve
your search engines ranking.8. Send a mailing or newsletter
Once you have a list of potential partners, it is time to draw their attention to your company.
Here are some tips:
Sending a mailing or newsletter via email is common and cost-effective.
Never write too much in your mailing or newsletter. Short, factual news is better.
Never only write about your company, write about your destination too.
Never expect any response. They did not ask for your emails, so never push.
Send a newsletter no more than four times a year. Always offer the option to unsubscribe. If
companies no longer wish to receive your news, remove them from the mailing list immediately.
This expresses your professionalism too.
It is better to have a small, valuable database than big numbers with low value!
Never approach potential partners when you are not ready. Your website should be of good
quality. You should be able to reply to requests within 24 hours. And you should be able to
answer in good English.
9. Use social media
Using social media is a good way to get your business exposed to a larger circle of potential buyers.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter all offer access to new circles.
Tips:
If you’re not familiar with working with social media, invest time in reading up on how to
use them for your business. LinkedIn, for instance, offers many helpful articles on this
topic. Check the LinkedIn website for information about getting started on LinkedIn,
growing your presence and best practices.
You might consider assigning a trained staff member to following up the work related to
social media.
Read our Product Fact Sheet “How to be a successful tourism company online”.
10. Advertise
Advertising your service can also be an interesting option if you want to attract buyers. Here are
some examples of websites, magazines etc. that you can consider:
INFOX is a website in German which provides weekly mailings to travel agencies (over 10,000)
and tour operators (about 1000). You can prepare and send your information electronically,
which INFOX can print. Mailings to the operators for instance will cost less than €1 per address
for one printed page plus the mailing. Prepayments have to be made.
Tourmagazine.fr is a French website for business-to-consumer advertising.
TourMag.com is a business-to-business magazine and website, with up-to-date news about the
French market and with possibilities to advertise.
DMCmag is a great magazine if you want to be visible for French outbound tour operators and
travel agencies. French Travel agencies often visit the websites of this magazine. L'echo
Touristique is the major French professional tourism magazine.
Please review our market information disclaimer.
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