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Written by: Deng Yinglin
2020-09-08 08:00
Last update date: 2020-09-08 08:00
The new crown pneumonia epidemic has had a major impact on the tourism industry. Among the unemployment rate figures released by the government in August, the unemployment rate in consumer and tourism-related industries rose slightly to 10.8% from May to July, which was a severe blow to SARS. High position.
Representatives of travel agency proprietors reported that if the government does not start the "tourism bubble" as early as possible to help the industry sustain its livelihood, it is expected that at least 30% of travel agencies will have to scale down or even close down after the employment guarantee plan is completed.
The tourism industry has been bleak, but the two post-90s founders of GLO Travel, Jamie and Rubio, who are mainly engaged in in-depth travel, have successfully transformed themselves in half a year with the launch of paid online travel seminars and online promotional services, and their income has risen to About 80% before the epidemic, the Taiwan branch opened in the middle of the year.
They believe that the epidemic has changed guests’ attitudes towards tourism and consumption habits, and the requirements for tourism will no longer be the same in the future, such as the attractiveness of traditional tour groups with dozens of people, shared rides with unknown group members, and meals. It will be greatly reduced. Consumers or preference will only travel with relatives and friends, and focus on free travel or special tourism.
The epidemic did not disappear within a few months as expected. The two founders of GLO Travel decided in April to suspend all tour group preparations and focus on transformation.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
GLO Travel founders Jamie and Chen Chengjun (Rubio) are both born in the 90s. They started their business in 2015. In the past few years, North Korea travel has become a hot topic among Hong Kong people. In-depth tour groups cover Asia, Europe and America, whether it is Iran. , Uzbekistan, Jordan or Belarus, etc., all have itineraries to choose from.
However, at the beginning of this year, the new crown epidemic raided and the business was completely shut down in just a few weeks. Zhang Zhenhua bluntly stated that since the company was established, the development of each year has been better than the previous year, such as the development of new routes, TV programs, and book publishing. Therefore, it was difficult to accept the epidemic at the beginning. "Unexpectedly, in just a few weeks, the original large-scale industry can be reduced to zero."
Jamie Zhang, the founder of GLO Travel, recalled that in the early stage of the outbreak, he was still actively preparing and promoting tour groups this year. By April, experts from various parties predicted that the epidemic would continue, so they decided to stop preparing new routes and tour groups. , Calm down and think about transformation.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Improve the workflow and discover new business opportunities
The two initially referred to the SARS experience in 2003 and estimated that the epidemic would disappear within a few months. Therefore, the work process was reorganized to prepare for "retaliatory travel" after the epidemic. However, experts predicted that the epidemic would continue in April, and the two struggled several times. Decided to transform, to concentrate on development, all staff suspend planning for the next two years of tour groups, and launch the fee-based online travel seminars that were originally expected to be available in 2022 at the earliest, and provide online promotion services for other companies or brands.
(See separate article: Travel agencies will transform and launch tourism seminars "online travel courses" under the epidemic to ensure 80% of income and avoid layoffs)
With the efforts of all employees, the company's income has reached about 80% before the epidemic, and there is no need to fire employees or reduce wages.
Zhang Zhenhua described that the team took a dramatic lesson, not only reorganizing the "Peace Era" without time to improve the work process, but also exploring new business opportunities and customers.
Zhang Zhenhua bluntly said that the tourism industry has been hit hard by the epidemic. Even if the epidemic stabilizes or ends, it will be difficult for the tourism industry to return to its previous scale. The epidemic has increased public health awareness or reduced participation in traditional tour groups of dozens of people.
(Photo/Photo by Ou Jiale)
The epidemic changes customer behavior, consumers may resist eating at the same table with unknown group members
Looking forward to the future, Zhang Zhenhua bluntly stated that the tourism industry has been hit hard by the epidemic. Even if the epidemic stabilizes or ends, the tourism industry will not be able to regain its previous scale. The transformation needs to be accelerated. For example, considering the main characteristics and group tour groups, "After the epidemic, everyone’s awareness of hygiene will increase. High, I don’t necessarily want to go to a group of 30 people and eat with people I don’t know each other. Maybe I only want to go to my girlfriends and family members.”
Chen Chengjun said that he learned that some of the industry has many new ideas, but because of the large number of employees and high rents, there are other considerations.
He bluntly said that Hong Kong's tourism industry cannot rely on transit or parallel trade in the future, and traditional tourism is becoming less and less popular among young people. He suggested that the industry should think early about tourism methods that are in line with the new generation. "If the middle position is not clear, it is easy to be replaced. Travel agencies will face a major crisis."
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Optimistic about the development of the Taiwan branch of In-depth Tour Frontier as planned
Chen Chengjun predicts that the tourism industry will develop in polarization after the epidemic. In addition to free travel, which has been popular in recent years, alternative in-depth themed experiences will be favored. "In the future, cultural values will become one of the focus of consumption, such as historical sites, oral history or corporate stories. Attract Hong Kong people."
The epidemic is still there, but the two believe that Taiwanese people have a stronger learning atmosphere, so they are optimistic about the future. According to the original plan, they will open a branch in Taiwan, named "GLO Travel". They also focus on in-depth travel. The trial operation started at the end of the month. Due to the fierce competition in local tourism in Taiwan, they temporarily plan to refer to the experience of Hong Kong and launch the Taiwan version of "Travel Lectures."
Tourism and Tourism Employment Guarantee Program
