The Five Stages of a Tourist’s Customer Journey

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Young traveler planning vacation trip and searching information on laptop and smartphone, by kitzstocker

According to the UNWTO (World Tourism Organization) [López de Ávila A., 2011], a tourist’s customer journey (the process that characterizes the interaction between consumer and brand, from need to purchase and post-purchase) consists of 5 stages [Fig. 1]:

  • Dreaming
  • Researching
  • Booking
  • Experiencing
  • Sharing

Fig. 1 – The Tourist’s Customer Journey (own elaboration)

The Dreaming stage is the most critical phase of the tourism customer journey, as it is when the tourist starts to consider traveling without a clear idea of where to go. Tourists search for information, compare offers, ask for advice, and typically use the internet as a source of inspiration, utilizing search engines, social networks, blogs, travel websites, and encountering shared tourist content (texts, photos, videos) from destinations, operators, residents, media, influencers, and other tourists.

The Researching stage involves the tourist investing time in a more in-depth exploration of potential destinations and the feasibility of their travel intentions (prices, availability, offers, services, connections, etc.). They use numerous online services like TripAdvisor, Booking, eDreams, Expedia, Airbnb, Trivago, Skyscanner, etc. Opinions from other users, tourists, or influencers remain crucial at this stage.

The Booking stage increasingly occurs online, particularly for short and medium-haul trips or short and medium-duration stays. However, traditional travel agencies and tour operators still play a significant role, especially for long-haul or extended-duration trips. Tourists book necessary resources, such as accommodations, transportation, local activities, and event tickets. Online bookings have grown exponentially on desktops/laptops and mobile devices. As a result, booking websites must be intuitive, easy to use, responsive (adapting to the tourist’s device), and offer optimized mobile apps. Tourists place greater trust in other users’ reviews than in institutional advertising, which has lost credibility.

During the Experiencing stage, tourists seek contextually relevant information and content at their location, tailored to their interests and passions, primarily using smartphones. Responsive websites, apps, web apps, and social channels must provide real-time access to routes, recommendations, schedules, maps, transportation, events, services, and any other information the tourist may need during their stay. Tourists increasingly access real-time information upon arrival at their destination instead of preparing in detail in advance.

In the Sharing stage, tourists share opinions, information, and content (texts, photos, videos, stories, reels) about their vacation in real-time or later (creating albums, retouching photos, or editing videos more structurally). This sharing is made possible by smartphones, increasingly widespread free Wi-Fi, and reduced data costs (5G, 4G) even while roaming. These valuable feedback (photos, videos, reviews, opinions, or general information about the trip or destination) influence other tourists’ decisions and the actions of operators and DMOs (Destination Management Organizations) that can capitalize on this information.

Bibliography

#TouristCustomerJourney; #TravelPlanning; #DreamExploreBook; #TravelStages; #TravelExperience; #TourismInsights; #DigitalTourism; #UNWTO; #TravelSharing; #SmartTravel

http://www.andrearossi.it/en/contacts/

“A tourist experience is what you remember”

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Happy couple of lovers enjoying sail boat trip experience in the ocean – Boyfriend and girlfriend taking selfie picture outside on summer vacation

Picture Credit: engy91

Using Porter’s classic strategic model, several factors have changed in the digital age, which are essential to understand in order to define an appropriate marketing and communication strategy (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1 – Classic Porter’s Model (Author’s elaboration)

Indeed, with the advent of the Internet, low-cost flights, and the era of personalized tourist experiences, the following have changed:

• Industry Competition (rivalry): always very high and fragmented, making price increases risky and limiting creative innovation opportunities (which involve significant costs and time) while the barriers to entry are reduced by the internet.

• Newcomers: new countries like the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), new technological platforms (Booking, Expedia, Trivago, Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Skyscanner, etc.), and low-cost flights that have quickly shifted traffic due to low prices.

• Substitute Products: new niche thematic experiences (e.g., pursuing passions like cosplay, film tourism, or Storm Chasing/Tornado Hunting), changes in vacation duration and periods (from the classic multi-week summer vacations of the ’70s-’80s to short breaks and multiple vacations in more modern times), and technologies that allow exploration and virtual visits from home (e.g., Youtube videos, Google Arts & Culture, Virtual Tours, Virtual Reality, Metaverse, etc.)

• Suppliers: labor market and creative and technological providers, who require increasingly updated and excellent qualifications, as well as the availability of local products, food and wine, and crafts, etc., which make the difference between an excellent and a mediocre offer.

• But above all, the Customers: who have the power of information and reviews from other tourists and an almost unlimited choice online (of destinations, accommodations, flights, packages, etc.), who want to live meaningful experiences and have shifted from passive consumers to active decision-makers for their vacations, thus overturning the balance of power that existed with operators and destinations.

For example, today tourists seek, among other experiences, Storm Chasing/Tornado Hunting, where tourists, accompanied by trained professionals, get close to or even inside storms and tornadoes. This is an extreme example, but it serves to illustrate how the world of tourism has changed with the advent of the Internet. Google alone records 25,000,000 results for the term “Storm Chasing.” (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 – Some Storm Chasing and Tornado Hunting offers found online. Google indicates 25 million results in the Storm Chasing search (Author’s elaboration)

The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) [CTC, 2011] says that “a tourism product is what you buy, a tourist experience is what you remember”, or in other words, a tourism experience actively connects and relates tourists with the local area (and preferably with locals) and lets them live authentic and deeply engaging experiences based on their passions. More and more tourists are transitioning from observers/visitors of attractions and territories to seekers of specific experiences tailored to their personalities, interests, needs, and passions.

Of course, no sector is static, including tourism, and it is necessary to continue observing changes and future trends to stay up-to-date and understand the future of tourism and how to adapt one’s business and offerings accordingly.

Communication is also affected by these changes in which the tourist is at the center and wants relevant, targeted, pertinent, personalized messages without wasting time on unnecessary interruptions. The shift is from paper to cloud, desktop to mobile, “leave a message” to “always on,” and most importantly, from sending messages to potential tourists to searching online for what tourists actually want.

Bibliography

Photo and Picture Credits: Andrea Rossi (Author); engy91

#touristexperience #digitaltourism #marketingstrategy #communicationstrategy #customization #nicheexperiences #StormChasing #TornadoHunting #localproducts #virtualtourism #travelmemories #BRICS #lowcostflights #Portersmodel #customerpower

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Smart Technologies for a Memorable Tourist Experience in the 2020s

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AR is one of the new smart technology of the 2020s tourism
AR is one of the new smart technology of the 2020s tourism

The 2020s have seen a surge in the implementation of innovative digital technologies in the tourism sector.
In an age where digitalization is no longer a trend but a reality, the extensive use of smart techs has become essential within the tourism industry.
These technologies empower tourists, making them more active, and raise their expectations in terms of experiences at a destination or a specific attraction.

Tourism destinations, attractions, and operators must manage this challenge by adopting and implementing smart infrastructures and technologies in their offerings.
By designing and creating attractive and memorable tourist experiences, they can ensure their continued success in an ever-evolving industry.

Smart tourism, as suggested by literature [Gretzel U. et al. 2016; Femenia-Serra F. et al., 2018], is a managerial framework that combines tourism infrastructure with ICT (Information and Communication Techs) tools to increase the efficiency of destinations and operators while enhancing tourists’ experiences.

The concept of smart technologies includes new forms of cooperation and technologies for value creation.
It’s important to note that being “smart” does not refer to the advancement of a single technology, but rather the interconnection and simultaneous collaboration of various technologies.

Smart technologies encompass a range of innovative techs, such as [Shen S. et al., 2020]:

  • Internet of Things (IoT): a network capable of identifying, locating, tracking, monitoring, managing, and connecting products to the network for the exchange of information and communication through RFID, infrared sensors, GPS, laser scanning, and other types of sensors.
  • Cloud computing technologies: these technologies have two meanings, 1. the platforms used to build applications (cloud platform), 2. The applications built on these platforms (cloud application).
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI): technologies that use software and hardware to simulate intelligent human behavior, effectively compute and analyze data and information, and support decision-making and problem-solving. For example, virtual assistants.
  • Mobile communication technologies: technologies used for wireless communication that enable real-time connection between remote systems and devices. 5G is the fifth generation of mobile communication technology, much faster and more reliable than the previous (4G). Soon we will have 6G, even faster.
  • Mobile devices and apps: electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and the technologies connected to them. Mobile internet includes various platform devices, such as smartphones, tablets, in-car systems, and wireless home automation systems. The mobile internet also includes personal and business apps.
  • Big data: Big data is a term that describes the huge volume of structured and unstructured data flooding the network every day. Big data can be analyzed to gain insights that guide better decision-making for destinations and operators.
  • Ubiquitous connection between Wi-Fi and other networks: a technology that allows electronic devices to connect to the wireless network of a local area, such as public city networks.
  • Virtual reality: a form of information technology that enables users to navigate computer-generated simulated environments. VR is a computer-generated environment where people can experience places and situations as if they were actually present. For example, Virtual Tour or the more recent Metaverse.
  • Augmented reality: an enhanced version of reality where people see the real world overlaid with digital information and elements through a digital display (smartphone or dedicated headset). AR enriches people’s perception of reality and enhances their visiting experience through additional digital content.
  • Intelligent Chat Robot: a robot capable of understanding and conversing with users using human language.
  • Wearable devices: portable devices that can be worn directly or integrated into users’ clothing or accessories. For example, smartwatches.
  • Beacon technology: beacons are small wireless transmitters that use low-energy Bluetooth to send signals to other smart devices nearby. They allow for great precision in localization and enable proximity marketing.

These innovations are transforming the way tourists interact with their surroundings, enhancing their experiences and allowing operators to cater to their needs more effectively.
By embracing these smart technologies, the tourism industry can ensure its continued growth and success in the 2020s and beyond.

Bibliography.

  • [Femenia-Serra, F. et al., 2018] Femenia-Serra, F.; Neuhofer, B. Smart tourism experiences: Conceptualization, key dimensions and research agenda. J. Reg. Res. 2018, 42, 129–150.
  • [Gretzel, U. et al., 2016] Gretzel, U.; Zhong, L.; Koo, C. Application of smart tourism to cities. Int. J. Tour. Cit. 2016, 2, 106–108.
  • [Rossi A., 2022] Rossi Andrea, “Comunicazione Digltale per il Turismo”, Rossi A., 2022, ISBN 9791221004175
  • [Shiwei Shen Scene S. et al, 2020] Shiwei Shen Scene S., Marios Sotiriadis and Yuwen Zhang “The Influence of Smart Technologies on Customer Journey in Tourist Attractions within the Smart Tourism Management Framework”, Sustainability 2020, 12, 4157

Credits: picture by DegrooteStock

#Travel; #Tourism; #Tech; #Technology; #DigitalTourism; #Destination Marketing; #Destination Management; #Experience; #ExperienceManagement; #ExperienceDesign

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