บทถอดความฉบับเต็มของ Elevate Your Groups

heritage as well. 61 00:04:25,977 --> 00:04:34,880 So there's some truly deep rooted knowledge there and we will touch on this in a minute from a group's point of view of whether First Nations experiences can be part of a group 62 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:35,780 trip. 63 00:04:35,780 --> 00:04:37,300 But you also deal with Asia. 64 00:04:37,300 --> 00:04:42,962 uh can you give our listeners what Asia means to go away from a country point of view? 65 00:04:44,406 --> 00:04:46,858 So as in which countries in Asia do we deal with? 66 00:04:46,858 --> 00:04:47,499 Okay. 67 00:04:47,499 --> 00:05:02,882 uh we cover a large uh selection of Asia, but we obviously have uh Thailand, uh Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, China, India, um Malaysia. 68 00:05:02,882 --> 00:05:06,796 Well, these fall under the age of area for us. 69 00:05:06,796 --> 00:05:09,808 Yes, so we have the Maldives as well. 70 00:05:11,931 --> 00:05:16,815 Seychelles also does fall sort of in that category as well. 71 00:05:18,777 --> 00:05:21,500 I did mention Nindia Sure did. 72 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:24,142 I was That's okay. 73 00:05:24,142 --> 00:05:30,426 We I I'm trying to think maybe it might be easier to list a spot that we aren't covering. 74 00:05:30,426 --> 00:05:32,330 Um but 75 00:05:32,330 --> 00:05:36,544 Okay, so again, I just did this with our Asia Roadshow Asian forum. 76 00:05:36,544 --> 00:05:46,762 So any guy you've mentioned some of these, know Indonesia, Malaysia, you mentioned Singapore, Hong Kong, which is China, Taiwan, which is China, Tibet, which is China. 77 00:05:46,762 --> 00:05:51,625 ah You mentioned Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, do we go to Bhutan? 78 00:05:51,894 --> 00:05:52,874 I you know what's funny? 79 00:05:52,874 --> 00:06:01,689 I was just gonna say we gotta include Bhutan, of course, because I think that's a fascinating destination that enough people don't consider. 80 00:06:01,750 --> 00:06:13,274 sure both FIT and groups Nepal India you mentioned ah we do the stands as well does that fall under Asia yes it does because I spoke to Maury about this Maury being our VP of the 81 00:06:13,274 --> 00:06:25,027 Asia department so the stands fall under us which Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Tajikistan there's one more there is also Pakistan which we don't do at the moment for obvious 82 00:06:25,027 --> 00:06:26,371 not currently. 83 00:06:26,371 --> 00:06:30,013 But I know that it's something that hopefully we will will be doing in the future. 84 00:06:30,013 --> 00:06:32,148 I mean there are talks about 85 00:06:32,632 --> 00:06:35,803 Yeah, traveled there years ago and it was, it's a beautiful, beautiful country. 86 00:06:35,803 --> 00:06:38,985 But obviously at the moment there's some political tension in that area. 87 00:06:38,985 --> 00:06:39,965 Okay then. 88 00:06:39,965 --> 00:06:51,470 So again, we talked about your background, your heritage, what you looked after here ago as uh a group's destination specialist in America and Asia. 89 00:06:51,470 --> 00:06:58,617 But one thing we wanted to touch on today ah is not only the type of group you can do, which we've discussed many times. 90 00:06:58,617 --> 00:07:01,134 So if you want to get more depth about 91 00:07:01,198 --> 00:07:06,578 what types of groups we can do, you can do, you can look at any of our past webinars and or podcasts. 92 00:07:06,578 --> 00:07:09,938 Look at our Go Way Pro Travel Academy modules on groups travel as well. 93 00:07:09,938 --> 00:07:13,558 We touch on a lot of types of groups there. 94 00:07:13,578 --> 00:07:24,678 But one thing you wanted to bring up today in our conversation was your terminology of elevated group travel or group style, which I sort of threw back luxury, but it's not 95 00:07:24,678 --> 00:07:27,618 exactly necessarily just luxury, is it? 96 00:07:27,694 --> 00:07:37,864 I mean, I would say that it's a form of luxury, but it doesn't necessarily have to fall under the luxury category because sometimes it could just be some unique experiences um 97 00:07:37,864 --> 00:07:39,966 that are taking something to the next level. 98 00:07:39,966 --> 00:07:44,832 So for example, you know, we, you know, uh 99 00:07:44,832 --> 00:07:46,903 We can do private villas for groups. 100 00:07:46,903 --> 00:07:59,790 I know that sometimes that's a question that generally comes up, but with that, I mean we can cater the whole experience to upgrade it, to add private chef meals um coordinated to 101 00:07:59,790 --> 00:08:01,431 tailored to your needs. 102 00:08:01,431 --> 00:08:05,053 we could hire if you've you know, depending which country you're going to. 103 00:08:05,053 --> 00:08:06,714 I know that some people 104 00:08:06,720 --> 00:08:09,312 In certain countries they hesitate for security reasons. 105 00:08:09,312 --> 00:08:13,787 Well, if that's a comfort that you'd like to hire security, we could have 24 hour security. 106 00:08:13,787 --> 00:08:17,740 We can make sure that you have a t butler's 24 hours. 107 00:08:17,740 --> 00:08:21,634 Like those are just like added touches that we can include in some of those experiences. 108 00:08:21,634 --> 00:08:31,053 Sometimes it might be, you know, hiring though that uh private helicopter to fly somewhere and have a picnic in a remote area. 109 00:08:31,053 --> 00:08:32,390 Um 110 00:08:32,578 --> 00:08:34,569 Just little like unique experiences. 111 00:08:34,569 --> 00:08:46,434 Yes, they can fall into the category of luxury, but also it can just be an everyday group looking to share a very unique or memorable experience and the whole trip doesn't have to 112 00:08:46,434 --> 00:08:50,385 be surrounded by expensive experiences. 113 00:08:50,385 --> 00:08:52,866 It could just be some unique elements. 114 00:08:52,876 --> 00:08:58,993 So some of the examples you just brought up, ah have you done those yourself with pass bookings, helicopter rides, et cetera? 115 00:08:58,993 --> 00:09:03,574 Is that

something you've personally booked or you know of within Go Way that have done that type of thing? 116 00:09:03,574 --> 00:09:05,605 Yes, definitely for the helicopters. 117 00:09:05,605 --> 00:09:10,547 And as far as, you know, for example, one of the destinations that I cover is Columbia. 118 00:09:10,547 --> 00:09:22,832 And um we have amazing ex we have access to actually some really beautiful villas there, private villas, who can give you sort of the experiences I talked about. 119 00:09:22,832 --> 00:09:33,356 Um also um getting out uh private venues, um, having people, even if you have a villa, having experiences come to you in your villa as well. 120 00:09:33,556 --> 00:09:44,090 hiring uh if you want to go shopping and you're looking for sp specific things, we have access to getting you a personal shopper for the day that's going to take you and get you 121 00:09:44,090 --> 00:09:45,871 everything, you know. 122 00:09:45,871 --> 00:09:48,132 Number two options of that personal travel. 123 00:09:48,132 --> 00:09:53,744 One, that they're going to go with you and they're gonna help you tailor your shopping experience. 124 00:09:53,744 --> 00:10:00,307 Or two, you're going to advise them what you're looking for, what you need, and they'll go do the shopping for you. 125 00:10:00,307 --> 00:10:02,688 So these are some of the those like. 126 00:10:02,862 --> 00:10:06,410 extra added value or elevated sort of experiences. 127 00:10:06,410 --> 00:10:12,793 Yeah, with my experience in Latin America too, though, you can get it everywhere in the world um from an accommodation point of view. 128 00:10:12,793 --> 00:10:24,358 Some of the options in Latin America, or Asia for that matter as well, villas, some of the hotels are even built, um what were once monasteries or universities. 129 00:10:24,358 --> 00:10:36,334 So there are so many really good authentic accommodation options worldwide, particularly in the Americas and in Asia, the Hutong, the Ryokans in Japan, all that type of 130 00:10:36,334 --> 00:10:50,354 things so yeah so a combination is a big part of any trip FIT or groups but if you can make it special FIT or groups uh that will elevate about your experience yeah 131 00:10:50,872 --> 00:10:58,278 though the misconception generally comes in that because they are a group, we aren't gonna be able to get them some of those days, right? 132 00:10:58,278 --> 00:11:02,601 Because they're like they see it as more of an individual booking 133 00:11:03,128 --> 00:11:11,395 Well that was my next question, well not so much a question because I know how it works in your world of groups but the point I wanted to bring up is and I've written down a couple 134 00:11:11,395 --> 00:11:16,130 of questions for you but I'm going to ask an answer in the one thing but you can expand on it for me. 135 00:11:16,130 --> 00:11:25,637 It's like why group travel with Go Away and one of the points I think is that the comment on the focus on accommodation the the examples you bring up 136 00:11:25,738 --> 00:11:35,942 It's very difficult for someone who's not connected or knows the way it works to go out and get some of these very special types of accommodation for groups of 10 or more, which 137 00:11:35,942 --> 00:11:37,923 is what a group is at GoAid 10 or more. 138 00:11:37,923 --> 00:11:42,735 And our groups of people know who to talk to and how to arrange it. 139 00:11:42,735 --> 00:11:46,907 Now it might all be in the same villa per se, but they can get a group of villas. 140 00:11:46,907 --> 00:11:49,338 So that becomes important as one of the reasons. 141 00:11:49,338 --> 00:11:51,388 My question was why group travel with GoAid? 142 00:11:51,388 --> 00:11:55,130 And this is one of the reasons that you can accommodate literally 143 00:11:55,704 --> 00:12:00,942 big numbers in special accommodation or standard accommodation as well, yes? 144 00:12:00,942 --> 00:12:01,292 Correct. 145 00:12:01,292 --> 00:12:01,773 Yeah. 146 00:12:01,773 --> 00:12:06,546 Actually just s why go away for groups? 147 00:12:06,546 --> 00:12:12,011 And I think a key thing here is that we can really tailor make and customize anything. 148 00:12:12,011 --> 00:12:17,415 I will give you an example of a group that came that I worked on last year. 149 00:12:17,415 --> 00:12:25,061 Actually, it was a DJ that decided that they wanted to take their followers to a trip destination. 150 00:12:25,061 --> 00:12:25,942 Yes. 151 00:12:26,142 --> 00:12:26,403 Nice. 152 00:12:26,403 --> 00:12:30,882 And so they were they do different types of parties and experiences, but 153 00:12:30,882 --> 00:12:35,004 You know, they were very specific on their needs, including equipment. 154 00:12:35,004 --> 00:12:39,575 They absolutely required specific equipment in order for them to DJ. 155 00:12:39,575 --> 00:12:41,146 DJ equipment you make. 156 00:12:41,146 --> 00:12:44,762 And I can tell you that it wasn't easy. 157 00:12:44,762 --> 00:12:48,189 We got that equipment and we flew it in. 158 00:12:49,129 --> 00:12:50,926 It was also Columbia. 159 00:12:50,926 --> 00:12:51,886 Columbia. 160 00:12:52,026 --> 00:12:53,706 Oh, they've like I've through a clump. 161 00:12:53,706 --> 00:12:55,846 I know they've got that equipment down there. 162 00:12:55,846 --> 00:12:57,526 But difficult to get. 163 00:12:57,603 --> 00:13:04,885 so they were basing their experience in Cartagena and the equipment wasn't located in Cartagena. 164 00:13:04,885 --> 00:13:08,646 So we actually had to fly it in from another city, but we located it. 165 00:13:08,646 --> 00:13:09,686 We did search all over. 166 00:13:09,686 --> 00:13:11,897 It was it was specific. 167 00:13:11,897 --> 00:13:14,988 They were very specific. 168 00:13:14,988 --> 00:13:15,258 okay. 169 00:13:15,258 --> 00:13:20,654 We have that so that just shows you that we have the capabilities to really get you everything that you need. 170 00:13:20,654 -->

00:13:28,827 I find that surprising because one of my memories of Colombia is, for those who don't know, he's been an overland driver so we drive through all of Latin America and in 171 00:13:28,827 --> 00:13:36,459 Colombia in particular, and this is back in the day, I'm not sure if it's like this, now as you drive into a town there was always an army checkpoint. 172 00:13:37,160 --> 00:13:44,102 You drive into, you just show your paperwork and drive through but as you enter the town there was music, like I mean pumping. 173 00:13:44,718 --> 00:13:51,658 because again, a lot of the towns, the main roads and all the shops and stuff are on the edge and they'd be pumping the music and lights going off. 174 00:13:51,658 --> 00:13:53,878 So they had the sound systems. 175 00:13:53,878 --> 00:13:58,398 But again, as you just mentioned, you're referring to a particular model of a turntable or something like that. 176 00:13:58,398 --> 00:14:00,498 So back to Heather's point. 177 00:14:00,936 --> 00:14:04,247 the group's department is that experience and we can resource. 178 00:14:04,247 --> 00:14:06,487 Now that's a story I hadn't heard before. 179 00:14:06,528 --> 00:14:15,610 Speaking to Jennifer, one example she uses of unique groups is a group of undertakers going to, I think Argentina, again back to the Americas as well. 180 00:14:15,610 --> 00:14:28,384 So one, not only can we do unique groups, undertakers, DJs, but to your point, the request requirements of the group, generally we can't match everything all the time, but 181 00:14:31,638 --> 00:14:41,439 It just shows you that, you know, we do have access to, you know, obtain things that sometimes might not always be that easy to to obtain. 182 00:14:41,439 --> 00:14:48,910 So we have the right contacts and connections in order to make your group everything you need it to be. 183 00:14:48,910 --> 00:14:57,650 think it's important on that example particularly is that if you have someone come to you with a group and you think their request is weird and wonderful, it probably is, it might 184 00:14:57,650 --> 00:15:08,310 be, but don't say no and go, oh, I don't know because there's a very good chance when you call Heather or one of the team here that they can definitely help you out with that. 185 00:15:09,690 --> 00:15:12,510 So why would go away? 186 00:15:12,510 --> 00:15:18,650 We just discussed that and I think you've heard through Heather's examples here pre this question. 187 00:15:19,030 --> 00:15:21,432 Groups runs like a FIT department. 188 00:15:21,432 --> 00:15:29,598 You come to Heather and say, have a group of X amount of people, they want to do this, and they're very specific about that. 189 00:15:29,759 --> 00:15:30,870 We will customize it. 190 00:15:30,870 --> 00:15:38,566 And as Heather's pointed out, we can get DJs, we can get their equipment, we can bring their followers so we can handle the air, we can handle large numbers. 191 00:15:38,566 --> 00:15:40,648 Again, 10 or more is our groups. 192 00:15:40,648 --> 00:15:42,109 How big was that group? 193 00:15:42,109 --> 00:15:43,488 The DJ group. 194 00:15:43,488 --> 00:15:44,238 Two hundred. 195 00:15:44,238 --> 00:15:45,798 There you go, 200. 196 00:15:45,798 --> 00:15:53,298 And we haven't done this in a while, but we did the police and firemen's games in Australia many years ago, and it was like 10,000. 197 00:15:53,298 --> 00:15:55,318 So we can handle monster groups as well. 198 00:15:55,318 --> 00:15:58,738 that's, 200 is above average. 199 00:16:00,358 --> 00:16:03,058 What would be the average group that you deal with, group size? 200 00:16:03,726 --> 00:16:11,900 I would say probably twenty to fifty is pretty pretty pretty normal um a group size. 201 00:16:11,900 --> 00:16:13,341 And of course they do go up. 202 00:16:13,341 --> 00:16:18,613 I mean I have currently right now at least I have an an eighty passenger. 203 00:16:18,613 --> 00:16:18,979 Yes. 204 00:16:18,979 --> 00:16:19,683 Where are they off to? 205 00:16:19,683 --> 00:16:20,673 Japan. 206 00:16:20,810 --> 00:16:22,703 anything in particular in Japan. 207 00:16:22,900 --> 00:16:27,136 No, they're just um a sightseeing leisure group. 208 00:16:27,136 --> 00:16:29,059 But they are quite a large group. 209 00:16:29,059 --> 00:16:29,635 Yeah, for sure. 210 00:16:29,635 --> 00:16:33,606 Um but they're not doing they're not like a specific type of niche. 211 00:16:33,606 --> 00:16:33,992 So 212 00:16:33,992 --> 00:16:36,443 Right, they're just a group who want to go to Japan. 213 00:16:36,443 --> 00:16:44,607 So for those out there who may not have worked with groups before and they have someone call them up and say, have 80 people who want to go to Japan, do the golden root, which is 214 00:16:44,607 --> 00:16:45,528 the standard. 215 00:16:45,528 --> 00:16:48,489 And to Heather's point, they're not looking for anything particular. 216 00:16:48,489 --> 00:16:51,030 They don't want to do anime as a focus. 217 00:16:51,030 --> 00:16:53,591 They don't want to cook as a focus, whatever it may be. 218 00:16:54,932 --> 00:16:59,294 How do you approach with your Asian partner? 219 00:16:59,904 --> 00:17:09,820 accommodating again using that word accommodate because generally speaking the accommodation is the key to any itinerary group FIT availability what they want now if 220 00:17:09,820 --> 00:17:20,268 you're dealing with 80 people in Japan what's the logistics of splitting that group up into hotels have you got them in the same hotel every city or do you have to split them up 221 00:17:20,268 --> 00:17:25,178 I do have them in the same hotel in every city, however, of course, by um vehicle. 222 00:17:25,178 --> 00:17:28,204 Uh we've had to split them up because we don't have that size. 223 00:17:28,204 --> 00:17:36,610 So we do have two vehicles, two guides, and they have been advised that if they expand, it would go to a third vehicle. 224

00:17:38,152 --> 00:17:46,087 On that note of the hotels and the vehicles, how far ahead is this group booked? 225 00:17:47,271 --> 00:17:49,354 Get everyone in the same hotel. 226 00:17:49,514 --> 00:17:58,341 They booked about 'cause they are departing in June, so of twenty twenty seven. 227 00:17:58,341 --> 00:18:04,182 Twenty I'd say they they probably booked about five months ago. 228 00:18:04,182 --> 00:18:07,105 So 18 months out, yes, ballpark. 229 00:18:07,586 --> 00:18:20,290 In normal circumstances without considering a World Cup happening or Olympics or some big local event, is 18 months ahead a good time to book for a 10 size group or an 80 size 230 00:18:20,290 --> 00:18:20,861 group? 231 00:18:20,861 --> 00:18:26,186 Should you think that the more people you have, the further ahead you should book? 232 00:18:26,488 --> 00:18:29,361 I think that it definitely depends on destination. 233 00:18:29,361 --> 00:18:41,038 Like somewhere like Japan, if you're calling us probably within twelve months for 80 people, we are unlikely to find all the space in one hotel and we may have to consider a 234 00:18:41,038 --> 00:18:41,231 split. 235 00:18:41,231 --> 00:18:42,318 Split, right. 236 00:18:42,318 --> 00:18:48,897 Um because the destination is in demand and people are booking, so the space does become limited. 237 00:18:48,898 --> 00:18:53,876 In another destination, potentially it could be possible, but 238 00:18:53,876 --> 00:19:01,723 I would say that when you're coming in for a large group and not only just for space but for pricing, it's better to come in early. 239 00:19:01,723 --> 00:19:02,550 Okay. 240 00:19:02,550 --> 00:19:08,441 So 18 months minimum would be a good suggestion for people with a group, regardless of number. 241 00:19:09,681 --> 00:19:20,720 I think though if you're I mean, if you want like is if you're coming in with a group ready that if you're coming in with a group ready and you have your numbers, like if you 242 00:19:20,720 --> 00:19:26,975 know, okay, we've got twenty people, they're a hundred percent going, then you can come in at twelve months and roll with that. 243 00:19:26,975 --> 00:19:35,982 But if you are looking for um putting something unique together and selling it to your client database 244 00:19:36,384 --> 00:19:43,720 I would say minimum 18 months because what you want to do is you want time to advertise and market that group and find your audience. 245 00:19:43,720 --> 00:19:56,000 And then you need to like you want people to have time to pay because at times some of these trips can, you know, start to cost, especially depending on the experience. 246 00:19:56,000 --> 00:20:05,888 And we and you it gives people time to make installments or put money down towards the trip or plan for it. 247 00:20:06,306 --> 00:20:14,899 And this we find gives a better success rate to having f your groups filled and putting the numbers together. 248 00:20:14,899 --> 00:20:26,839 Um also,

you know, when you do plan ahead and say at 18 months and you come to us at uh about the 12 month mark and you're like, okay, I'm struggling a little bit. 249 00:20:26,839 --> 00:20:33,954 I haven't really filled my space and you know, I'm I I I'm not sure where to go from here. 250 00:20:33,954 --> 00:20:44,803 We still have enough time to jump in there and support you and come up with ideas or maybe make a slight change that we feel we might need to change in order to increase those 251 00:20:44,803 --> 00:20:45,364 numbers. 252 00:20:45,364 --> 00:20:49,507 Um, in the groups department, we're definitely there to support you. 253 00:20:49,507 --> 00:21:01,547 And so n this, if you started at 12 months, you know, and then you in a few months you came to us, it starts to get too close for us to be able to jump in and find a solution to 254 00:21:01,547 --> 00:21:02,378 fix. 255 00:21:02,616 --> 00:21:07,478 But when we start at eighteen months, it gives us lots of time to make sure you're successful. 256 00:21:07,586 --> 00:21:18,035 Yeah, so this is a couple of key things about groups is they can be easier as a booking because you create one itinerary and you sell it to 10, 20, 30, 50, 80 people. 257 00:21:18,035 --> 00:21:22,982 So that's easier verse every booking being a different setup request, et cetera. 258 00:21:22,982 --> 00:21:23,840 So that's one positive. 259 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:34,179 But the flip side is hurting those 10, 20, 30 or 80 people into that particular itinerary agreeing to it, accepting the price, which brings us to my question. 260 00:21:34,179 --> 00:21:35,549 This you mentioned. 261 00:21:35,862 --> 00:21:45,507 If someone comes to you with a group ready to go, you know the numbers, the itinerary is pretty much a stock standard thing without any crazy refinements 12 months out. 262 00:21:45,507 --> 00:21:49,448 And then you mention if you just have a group that you're trying to create. 263 00:21:49,448 --> 00:21:51,549 So we turn that as a spec group. 264 00:21:51,549 --> 00:21:53,150 That's a speculative group. 265 00:21:53,150 --> 00:22:00,964 It's either something you as a travel agent has come to go with, it's your idea and you want to shop it, or someone outside has come to you as the agent and said, I've got this 266 00:22:00,964 --> 00:22:02,705 concept, I want to shop around. 267 00:22:02,705 --> 00:22:04,335 So let's just for the sake of it. 268 00:22:04,335 --> 00:22:05,776 I'm a photographer. 269 00:22:05,776 --> 00:22:07,009 I wanna do a photography group. 270 00:22:07,009 --> 00:22:11,935 The intent for me as the term we use, Pied Piper, is I want a free trip out of it. 271 00:22:11,935 --> 00:22:13,038 I'll bring. 272 00:22:13,038 --> 00:22:16,438 to you, the travel agent, 20, 30 people, right? 273 00:22:16,438 --> 00:22:23,718 Then you work together, you and I, the agent and myself, you speak to Heather and you now come up with an itinerary and then you go out and shop it. 274 00:22:23,718 --> 00:22:27,918 And as Heather mentioned, we will support you in marketing and all that type of thing. 275 00:22:27,918 --> 00:22:29,818 You can learn all this through the academy. 276 00:22:29,818 --> 00:22:33,338 Your account manager will also support you as well in that. 277 00:22:33,518 --> 00:22:38,618 But that, to your point, takes longer because you're now trying to find the people, okay? 278 00:22:38,718 --> 00:22:43,042 So my question after all that sort of preamble is, on average, how many 279 00:22:43,042 --> 00:22:48,161 spec groups do you get verse agents coming to you with a group ready to go? 280 00:22:48,423 --> 00:22:50,094 Is there an average? 281 00:22:50,094 --> 00:22:54,926 I wanna say probably seventy five percent to eighty percent of our business is spec. 282 00:22:54,926 --> 00:22:55,486 spec. 283 00:22:55,486 --> 00:22:56,146 Yes. 284 00:22:56,146 --> 00:23:00,446 Now is the spec coming from the agent or is it coming from one of their clients? 285 00:23:00,806 --> 00:23:02,350 Or you're unsure of that. 286 00:23:02,350 --> 00:23:13,963 I would say that uh a good chunk of them are coming from the agents and some are coming from clients, you know, maybe yoga instructors, gym instructors, um, like you said, 287 00:23:13,963 --> 00:23:18,755 someone in a photography business, maybe in DJs. 288 00:23:18,755 --> 00:23:22,796 I also have had influencer um trips as well that I've done. 289 00:23:22,796 --> 00:23:29,938 Um, last year I had a luxury influencer uh South Korea trip. 290 00:23:29,938 --> 00:23:31,384 So her following 291 00:23:31,384 --> 00:23:34,258 Was that K-pop, K-beauty? 292 00:23:34,258 --> 00:23:37,471 this one it was just like a luxury trip. 293 00:23:37,471 --> 00:23:51,010 They did um they did Michelin star restaurants and they did elevated like upgraded spa experiences and beauty experiences and they did a bunch of different like sightseeing. 294 00:23:51,010 --> 00:23:56,914 So they uh and then they stayed in high end properties as well. 295 00:23:56,914 --> 00:24:02,094 Um but so this was uh and I'm currently working on actually 296 00:24:02,094 --> 00:24:07,719 It's not quite finalized yet, but I am working on another sort of influencer trip at the moment as well. 297 00:24:07,719 --> 00:24:14,446 Um, and they are putting together sort of a retreat style in Thailand. 298 00:24:14,446 --> 00:24:15,356 In Thailand. 299 00:24:17,017 --> 00:24:26,958 So of the groups that you deal with, be it spec or otherwise, how, so this is a two prong question, how many repeat agents do you have coming back to you? 300 00:24:26,958 --> 00:24:27,138 I.e. 301 00:24:27,138 --> 00:24:31,478 the agent has repeat groups booking, which is one of the big benefits of groups. 302 00:24:31,478 --> 00:24:36,498 Once you get going with groups, it is very, very financially. 303 00:24:37,350 --> 00:24:39,672 lucrative to you as the agent. 304 00:24:39,672 --> 00:24:45,695 But how many and

do you know of the agents that come back to you have the same person at their end coming back to them? 305 00:24:45,695 --> 00:24:50,220 So like I'm the Pied Piper, I've come up with a photography group. 306 00:24:50,220 --> 00:24:52,772 I've got my little following together and every year I'm moving. 307 00:24:52,772 --> 00:24:55,433 Now I say this because I used to deal with a group like this. 308 00:24:55,433 --> 00:24:57,495 It was the same core of travelers. 309 00:24:57,495 --> 00:24:59,956 It was a retired group of bankers. 310 00:24:59,996 --> 00:25:02,458 Every year they do a group trip together. 311 00:25:02,458 --> 00:25:04,759 So every year they were coming back and back and back. 312 00:25:04,759 --> 00:25:09,882 How many of those do you have of repeat agents and or repeat end user clients? 313 00:25:10,238 --> 00:25:13,139 I have a large number of repeat agents. 314 00:25:13,139 --> 00:25:17,681 Um, but as far as repeat group clients, we definitely have a good handful of them. 315 00:25:17,681 --> 00:25:28,106 Me personally, I have a couple, but also, you know, if it doesn't cover my region, then you know, one of my colleagues might take over. 316 00:25:28,106 --> 00:25:36,489 So for example, my South Korea influencer, they have come they have come back, but they are covering another region on their next trip, so they're working with one of my other 317 00:25:36,489 --> 00:25:36,950 colleagues. 318 00:25:36,950 --> 00:25:38,186 So if 319 00:25:38,186 --> 00:25:41,491 Of course, um, I mean, we have a great product at GoAway. 320 00:25:41,491 --> 00:25:50,495 So if people are on their trip and they're having an amazing time, a hundred percent they're gonna come back to us and they're gonna ask for us to do it again somewhere else. 321 00:25:50,495 --> 00:25:50,894 Yeah. 322 00:25:50,894 --> 00:25:59,414 And this is used to happen too, this is little tip as well, if you as the agent, the organizer of the group or something you've come up with, know, a spec group which you've 323 00:25:59,414 --> 00:26:08,814 now made happen, a little tip I would suggest is when that group's traveling on the assumption it's all going well, which hopefully would go away, it will go well, when 324 00:26:08,814 --> 00:26:12,574 you've got that group ready to book and it's going, so when's your Japan group going? 325 00:26:12,574 --> 00:26:13,752 In 27 you said. 326 00:26:13,752 --> 00:26:14,368 Twenty seven. 327 00:26:14,368 --> 00:26:16,319 So use this one as an example. 328 00:26:16,340 --> 00:26:21,344 I would now start planning with Heather another one for that group, right? 329 00:26:21,344 --> 00:26:31,513 So let's, I can be the same, the regions you work in, be it another Asia destination or somewhere in the Americas, but come up with another itinerary that you can then pitch at 330 00:26:31,513 --> 00:26:36,817 the last couple of days of the group trip they're on in Japan, just say, hey guys and girls. 331 00:26:37,046 --> 00:26:39,628 How about this one for Peru next year? 332 00:26:39,628 --> 00:26:41,029 Okay, it's all set to go. 333 00:26:41,029 --> 00:26:42,891 Here's the pricing, bang, bang, bang, bang. 334 00:26:42,891 --> 00:26:45,363 You hit them while they're hot, while they're in a travel mood. 335 00:26:45,363 --> 00:26:47,715 Everything's going wonderfully well for them. 336 00:26:47,715 --> 00:26:49,557 And this is how we used to with this banking group. 337 00:26:49,557 --> 00:26:50,457 They did it by choice. 338 00:26:50,457 --> 00:26:51,078 They wanted this. 339 00:26:51,078 --> 00:26:55,502 So we would actually present two different itineraries at the end of the trip. 340 00:26:55,502 --> 00:26:58,184 You can go one in South Africa, one in Europe. 341 00:26:58,184 --> 00:27:05,523 And as a group, they would choose and then you were basically booking the next group as soon as that group trip finished and you were nodding your head. 342 00:27:05,523 --> 00:27:09,945 because this is exactly what one of my um agents does. 343 00:27:09,945 --> 00:27:15,508 So she she has her sort of business. 344 00:27:15,508 --> 00:27:24,943 She has a specific name for them and every I we do two, currently two trips a year for the clients. 345 00:27:24,943 --> 00:27:27,150 It's a all women's group. 346 00:27:27,150 --> 00:27:28,306 There's another one, yep. 347 00:27:28,306 --> 00:27:38,632 And um so what happens is like every year we plan these two trips and then just before the trip is about like about a month, a month and a half before the trip's about to depart, 348 00:27:38,632 --> 00:27:46,656 she comes to me, she gets ready, she's like we start brainstorming what next trip is gonna be so that she could present it and launch it at that. 349 00:27:46,656 --> 00:27:48,697 She always does a welcome dinner. 350 00:27:48,697 --> 00:27:57,294 So um every time the at the welcome dinner when the group arrives, she gives little gift bags and she presents what the next trip. 351 00:27:57,294 --> 00:28:06,188 trip is gonna be and she launches it so that by the time everyone's on a high from the trip coming home, they're ready to deposit down on the next one. 352 00:28:06,188 --> 00:28:07,019 Yeah, exactly. 353 00:28:07,019 --> 00:28:08,381 Strike while the iron's hot. 354 00:28:08,381 --> 00:28:10,298 There's a good little tip there from a marketing point of view. 355 00:28:10,298 --> 00:28:10,764 I like that. 356 00:28:10,764 --> 00:28:12,926 She presents little gift bags as well. 357 00:28:12,926 --> 00:28:21,056 again, if it's you out there as the agent who are pushing these groups, you've got to also like, you you work with Heather and her expertise on building the itinerary. 358 00:28:21,056 --> 00:28:22,902 You give her what you want. 359 00:28:22,902 --> 00:28:29,024 DJ equipment, photography gear, uh wellness result, whatever it may be and Heather will create that for you. 360 00:28:29,024 --> 00:28:32,555 But you've also got to

become the marketer and market yourself and then the trip itself. 361 00:28:32,555 --> 00:28:37,927 So a couple of good points there like look at maybe pushing the next trip when the first one's running. 362 00:28:37,927 --> 00:28:42,629 Little gift bags, uh little thank you notes on their return, all that type of stuff. 363 00:28:42,629 --> 00:28:45,290 And again, we can help you out on those marketing. 364 00:28:45,290 --> 00:28:46,062 uh 365 00:28:46,062 --> 00:28:46,982 points. 366 00:28:47,342 --> 00:28:51,782 Some technical questions, or not really technical, more logistical. 367 00:28:51,782 --> 00:29:01,242 You mentioned when you were answering a question before about payments, if a trip is either expensive, or even if it's not expensive, but the end user client out there can't 368 00:29:01,242 --> 00:29:04,022 pay it all in one hit, we can take payments in installments. 369 00:29:04,022 --> 00:29:04,758 Is that correct? 370 00:29:04,758 --> 00:29:05,470 That is correct. 371 00:29:05,470 --> 00:29:07,384 We can do installed payments. 372 00:29:07,384 --> 00:29:11,608 Um so they can pay along as they go up until the final payment date. 373 00:29:11,608 --> 00:29:16,317 Now can the clients pay us directly or do they have to go by their agency or is that a choice? 374 00:29:16,394 --> 00:29:22,807 Okay, so with groups, we do have a payment link that is available um for the group to make their payments on. 375 00:29:22,807 --> 00:29:30,881 And the agent can share that with the clients, and the clients can use that link to make a payment towards the uh group trip. 376 00:29:30,881 --> 00:29:42,646 And what would happen if a client does make a payment um themselves within 24 hours business day, uh, the agent will have an update advising who has made a payment and the 377 00:29:42,646 --> 00:29:46,348 amount that they've made the payment for so that they will be in the loop as well that somebody 378 00:29:46,348 --> 00:29:48,664 has put money down towards the trip. 379 00:29:48,664 --> 00:29:53,381 Yeah, that's my question because we've had agents ask this and their question is, how do I know who's paid what? 380 00:29:53,381 --> 00:29:56,926 But you've just answered that, they get notification of it as well. 381 00:29:57,007 --> 00:30:00,292 What's our deposit rules at the moment as we sit here? 382 00:30:00,292 --> 00:30:01,293 Not a promotional one. 383 00:30:01,293 --> 00:30:02,815 What's our normal deposit one? 384 00:30:02,815 --> 00:30:04,974 Then we'll talk about any promotional deposits. 385 00:30:04,974 --> 00:30:11,759 Our uh group deposit policy is a thousand dollar deposit to get the group going and started. 386 00:30:11,994 --> 00:30:24,799 And uh final payment would be at uh 90 days, of course, depending on you know any special requirements or needs or there may be additional deposits that could come into play, but 387 00:30:24,799 --> 00:30:26,326 that would be the standard. 388 00:30:26,326 --> 00:30:28,648 Okay, so it's a thousand regards to group size. 389 00:30:28,648 --> 00:30:32,161 So if you get 10 or more, like let's say you have 11, it's a thousand bucks. 390 00:30:32,161 --> 00:30:35,033 If you walk through the door with 80, it's a thousand dollars. 391 00:30:35,033 --> 00:30:37,535 If your 80 drops to 60, it's still a thousand dollars. 392 00:30:37,535 --> 00:30:39,156 That doesn't change. 393 00:30:39,357 --> 00:30:43,800 And that equates to basically it's a hundred dollars per person based on a minimum of 10. 394 00:30:43,800 --> 00:30:44,981 So it's pretty good. 395 00:30:44,981 --> 00:30:51,168 Is the deposit movable if the group doesn't come through for the date that they were looking at? 396 00:30:51,168 --> 00:31:04,708 So as long as you cancel outside of a hundred and twenty days from departure, that uh deposit would be allowed to be used towards another group booking as long as it's booked 397 00:31:04,708 --> 00:31:07,582 within 12 months from the period of the cancellation. 398 00:31:07,582 --> 00:31:11,864 And then after that, unfortunately, if you do cancel again, it will be a non-refundable situation. 399 00:31:11,864 --> 00:31:19,808 um Heather also mentioned too, from a deposit point of view, um the thousand is for Go-Away. 400 00:31:19,809 --> 00:31:29,934 If you are booking, let's say something, an Amazon cruise, uh Nile cruise, the cruise lines, or if you're going to see the mountain gorillas, mountain gorilla permits are... 401 00:31:29,966 --> 00:31:32,629 payment is due upon confirmation. 402 00:31:32,629 --> 00:31:40,940 as Heather mentioned, there may be extra deposits on top of the go away deposit, but when you are building your itinerary, your destination specialist will tell you, be aware that 403 00:31:40,940 --> 00:31:42,221 this, this and this and this. 404 00:31:42,221 --> 00:31:45,786 So you're aware and your clients will also be aware. 405 00:31:45,786 --> 00:31:49,282 Now, is there any promotional deposit incentive at the moment? 406 00:31:49,282 --> 00:31:49,833 We do. 407 00:31:49,833 --> 00:32:05,853 We have an incentive until the end of July currently that uh any new bookings booked before the end of the month would be a deposit of $750 for the group and a bonus $250 on 408 00:32:05,853 --> 00:32:13,614 your Go Away Pro card, half paid at the time that you confirm the booking and half paid once the groom departs. 409 00:32:13,614 --> 00:32:26,454 Yeah, and just so you know deposit and those rewards it's US or Canadian so it's equivalent 750 US or 750 Canadian We're not doing exchange rating things with that Okay, 410 00:32:26,454 --> 00:32:31,654 is there anything else you'd like to touch on or highlight from the elevated? 411 00:32:31,674 --> 00:32:40,774 Side of group travel any other examples Like I think you've covered it pretty well just through your general answers of how we can customize 412 00:32:41,270 --> 00:32:52,755 to what the group's requirements are,

um be it a standard trip to Japan or elevated from getting equipment in for a group of DJs or the DJ in Columbia. 413 00:32:52,755 --> 00:32:58,758 As you've heard, know, as Goway does throughout from FIT through groups, it's all very, very customized. 414 00:32:58,758 --> 00:33:00,479 Let's talk about air, actually. 415 00:33:00,479 --> 00:33:03,880 um Let's talk about your group to Japan, 80 people. 416 00:33:04,140 --> 00:33:05,901 Did the agent ask you, i.e. 417 00:33:05,901 --> 00:33:07,662 Goway, to handle the air for that? 418 00:33:07,734 --> 00:33:20,149 Okay, so we are going to be looking into group air, but not necessarily for all eighty, because some passengers do want to use their own points and have their own their own uh 419 00:33:20,149 --> 00:33:23,181 preferences of airlines that they're gonna book. 420 00:33:23,181 --> 00:33:29,063 So in this case, we are looking at probably doing group air for about half of the passengers. 421 00:33:29,063 --> 00:33:36,328 So we will be probab we will be um because I think I will be able to source the air in about another two weeks. 422 00:33:36,328 --> 00:33:48,783 So once I'm able to source the air, our goal is to go for about forty uh seats and uh we're estimating that that's approximately how many people will take the group air 423 00:33:48,783 --> 00:33:49,338 together. 424 00:33:49,338 --> 00:33:50,080 Right. 425 00:33:50,080 --> 00:33:55,763 So again, we can do group air as Heather will be doing for her group because Gowie has its own ah air department. 426 00:33:55,763 --> 00:33:57,634 We're an air consolidator as well. 427 00:33:57,634 --> 00:34:01,256 So just a group air only booking we can handle as well, correct? 428 00:34:01,256 --> 00:34:01,870 That is correct. 429 00:34:01,870 --> 00:34:05,729 just came to you with just, have a hundred people going to a conference, but I need the air. 430 00:34:05,729 --> 00:34:06,650 can deal with that as well. 431 00:34:06,650 --> 00:34:07,160 Yes. 432 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:07,760 Okay then. 433 00:34:07,760 --> 00:34:10,681 ah This is not necessarily about air. 434 00:34:10,802 --> 00:34:15,945 When an agent comes to you, you've worked out the itinerary, you give him or her the price at the other end. 435 00:34:15,945 --> 00:34:18,726 Are you giving a net or gross price to the agent? 436 00:34:18,817 --> 00:34:22,918 Okay, so our our standard is net, of course. 437 00:34:22,918 --> 00:34:30,220 Um, but in some cases there are gross rates that are provided um to some of our partners that we have agreements with. 438 00:34:30,220 --> 00:34:35,221 Um if you are getting a net, because this is always a question, am I allowed to mark it up? 439 00:34:35,221 --> 00:34:36,111 Of course you are. 440 00:34:36,111 --> 00:34:41,230 Um any of anything over and above the net value would be your commission paid out. 441 00:34:41,230 --> 00:34:45,910 Yeah, and again, a word of advice is, and again, that's how most people do their groups. 442 00:34:46,530 --> 00:34:49,390 You give them the net and they handle their own. 443 00:34:49,399 --> 00:34:50,569 profit margins the other end. 444 00:34:50,569 --> 00:34:51,270 Correct. 445 00:34:51,270 --> 00:34:54,191 Yeah, just just be careful that you don't price yourself out of it. 446 00:34:54,191 --> 00:35:00,623 And again, please ask our destination specialists and say, look, if I add 400 per person or 600, is that fair? 447 00:35:00,623 --> 00:35:11,637 Because you will know as in Heather and the team will know whether the final sell price is if you're pricing yourself out of potential bookings as well, because they know the market 448 00:35:11,637 --> 00:35:12,677 as well. 449 00:35:12,717 --> 00:35:14,838 Okay, time. 450 00:35:14,838 --> 00:35:16,318 Anything else you want me to ask? 451 00:35:17,526 --> 00:35:25,640 I think no, I mean the only the only other thing that I think is like and this always like one thing that always comes up and that I get calls is like most of the time when they're 452 00:35:25,640 --> 00:35:33,904 calling for the group, like if you get a somebody in the queue or something, you get a call and then they're like, I see this tour on your website, but I don't like that or I'm 453 00:35:33,904 --> 00:35:41,102 like, Well that's fine, we can start from scratch and fully customize I feel like sometimes people don't actually realize how much customization 454 00:35:41,102 --> 00:35:42,242 I'll ask the question. 455 00:35:42,242 --> 00:35:43,142 Okay, here we go. 456 00:35:43,142 --> 00:35:44,262 Get back into it. 457 00:35:44,402 --> 00:35:51,342 So another thing I wanted to point out is that this is, okay, two things. 458 00:35:51,640 --> 00:35:58,413 GoAway.com is our website and it has what we call travel ideas, which is exactly, that's an idea, it's a concept. 459 00:35:58,413 --> 00:36:04,916 Now, if you look at it from an FIT or group's perspective and you think, like it how it is, then you can buy it off the shelf. 460 00:36:04,916 --> 00:36:15,901 But really, the way we work is here's a concept, here's an idea for you and then you come to your FIT or group specialist and say, I like this outline but I wanna add, subtract, 461 00:36:15,901 --> 00:36:21,504 push up the accommodation here, drop it down here, add the Inca trail in there, then go luxury. 462 00:36:21,584 --> 00:36:26,528 So again, are company that customises 98 % of the time. 463 00:36:26,969 --> 00:36:32,793 We have a few set departures of our own making and we at times will sell as is off the website. 464 00:36:32,793 --> 00:36:37,944 um On GoAway.com, do we have sample group itineraries? 465 00:36:37,944 --> 00:36:38,394 We do. 466 00:36:38,394 --> 00:36:38,834 Yes. 467 00:36:38,834 --> 00:36:46,936 And we've uh the team us team members have actually assisted with some of those recommended group uh tours that we would put together for somebody. 468 00:36:46,936 --> 00:36:54,171 Okay, so yeah, so

they're either an example you've created or it's a pasto tennery that you've actually sold and run. 469 00:36:54,471 --> 00:37:03,467 But I think what I need to point out and I'll let Heather expand on this is that from a group's point of view, I think you would have picked it up for our conversation today from 470 00:37:03,467 --> 00:37:10,242 a lot of Heather's examples, but can you highlight or emphasize the fact that we customize particularly at the group's level? 471 00:37:10,242 --> 00:37:10,942 Yes. 472 00:37:10,942 --> 00:37:18,664 So I I know that sometimes uh people come to us and they see a specific itinerary, but then they say, but can we just switch this out? 473 00:37:18,664 --> 00:37:22,625 The reality is with groups is that when you call us, I mean we can build from scratch. 474 00:37:22,625 --> 00:37:23,536 We can start from scratch. 475 00:37:23,536 --> 00:37:29,957 And we uh the this the internet samples are really just that samples. 476 00:37:29,957 --> 00:37:32,168 They're examples for you to see what we can do. 477 00:37:32,168 --> 00:37:33,468 And if you love it, you can book it. 478 00:37:33,468 --> 00:37:40,430 Um where we I want I always love to tell people um when I'm talking to them is 479 00:37:40,618 --> 00:37:47,303 You know, especially if you're doing a spec group, you wanna what's gonna make you stand out in the market, what's gonna make you unique? 480 00:37:47,303 --> 00:37:56,830 Yeah, our standard itineraries online are amazing, but if they're available for everybody, then how are you gonna market yourself to be something different? 481 00:37:56,830 --> 00:38:03,804 So I always love when somebody's coming to build and that we say, like, let's let's dig in deep. 482 00:38:03,804 --> 00:38:08,844 Tell me about your clients, like what's their ages, what kind of experiences they have. 483 00:38:08,844 --> 00:38:17,159 And from there we start the conversation and we look for all those amazing things that aren't necessarily ready available for you to see. 484 00:38:17,159 --> 00:38:26,145 Like in Peru, I mean, we have family like experiences with local people and families in their village or in their home. 485 00:38:26,465 --> 00:38:33,894 I've had uh a group going to India who was going during Diwali and 486 00:38:33,920 --> 00:38:45,554 They we incorporated that they got to spend it with a family in their home and see how the festival, you know, have the real ex authentic experience. 487 00:38:45,654 --> 00:38:52,856 And um, I've had a group in Thailand come to me and be like, I want to literally have a dinner with a family. 488 00:38:53,177 --> 00:38:57,158 And we spoke to our local partners and we 489 00:38:57,228 --> 00:39:04,583 came with a family that they could spend the day with and they can cook a meal with in their home and sit down and have dinner with them. 490 00:39:04,703 --> 00:39:11,928 And these type of experiences aren't something that you're always going to find readily available and advertised in standard groups. 491 00:39:11,928 --> 00:39:18,613 And so I always encourage people, um, come to us, talk to us, let us make it special. 492 00:39:18,613 --> 00:39:20,294 And we can do that. 493 00:39:20,950 --> 00:39:30,494 So back to my question I posed earlier, why I group travel with Go and I think this is key to it that, well let me ask you this, of all the groups you've sold, has any itinerary 494 00:39:30,494 --> 00:39:31,544 been the same? 495 00:39:33,016 --> 00:39:35,194 Mm, I would say for the most part, no. 496 00:39:35,194 --> 00:39:39,880 There's probably been a couple that have been similar but they are not the same. 497 00:39:39,903 --> 00:39:41,696 so that's why I travel with Go Way. 498 00:39:41,696 --> 00:39:48,917 That's why I travel with Go Way because I'd say 98 % of the tenories that we create put together and have clients come back from. 499 00:39:49,164 --> 00:39:55,017 rave about us, rave about you, is it's unique because it's built to exactly what they want. 500 00:39:55,017 --> 00:39:58,278 Now could be similar, but it'll never ever be the same. 501 00:39:58,278 --> 00:40:08,623 uh I actually want to finish our little conversation again back to a logistics question and how it may or hopefully will impact our travel agents, partners out there. 502 00:40:08,623 --> 00:40:15,787 We have just taken on board, I think you're working with, I'm not sure if you personally yet, a new groups system. 503 00:40:15,787 --> 00:40:19,088 For years and years and years groups uh have been trying to get assistance 504 00:40:19,088 --> 00:40:25,991 that works for them because the group's department and their itineraries are so unique, finding a system that worked for them was difficult. 505 00:40:25,991 --> 00:40:27,472 I think we've landed it. 506 00:40:27,472 --> 00:40:28,422 It's been tested. 507 00:40:28,422 --> 00:40:31,313 We're recording this in July, I think, for last month and a bit. 508 00:40:31,313 --> 00:40:33,214 It's in the testing phase. 509 00:40:33,314 --> 00:40:41,758 Is there anything that you want to tell our agents that'll sort of make the working life easier and better for you and our agent partners? 510 00:40:42,563 --> 00:40:53,532 so we are only in the first phase and um as these the future phases come out it is going to make a world of a difference for bookings. 511 00:40:53,532 --> 00:41:00,257 But right now, I think that the highlighted feature of the new system is of course our itineraries. 512 00:41:00,257 --> 00:41:03,160 You you know, you're gonna get a digital link. 513 00:41:03,160 --> 00:41:11,025 The clients are gonna be able to have some imagery descrip you know descriptions, you're gonna be able to send that 514 00:41:11,360 --> 00:41:15,161 I know our old format was mainly geared towards you. 515 00:41:15,161 --> 00:41:18,752 We didn't really have a client copy for our agents. 516 00:41:18,752 --> 00:41:23,033 Um, we could modify it or we would

give them a document that they could modify. 517 00:41:23,033 --> 00:41:30,655 In this case now, you don't have to worry about that anymore because you have your copy and you have the client's copy that you get to share. 518 00:41:30,655 --> 00:41:39,110 Um, right now, since it's our the launch for this month is still just mainly about the 519 00:41:40,554 --> 00:41:44,718 quoting and itinerary proposal features. 520 00:41:44,718 --> 00:41:55,566 Um, this is the only part you're gonna see now, but down the road in the future, clients are gonna be able to, you know, go in there and enter their information as per their 521 00:41:55,566 --> 00:41:59,169 passports, or they're gonna be able to see their balances due. 522 00:41:59,169 --> 00:42:10,218 And you know, you're gonna get more system automated information that's gonna come more instantly, and so it's just going to be a whole better process. 523 00:42:10,606 --> 00:42:16,306 Yeah, so one of GoWay's mottoes, which our owner Bruce Hodgstill preaches is we can always do things better. 524 00:42:16,306 --> 00:42:24,126 And we have understood that the group's logistical backend, like the actual service you'll get from our destination specialist is exceptional. 525 00:42:24,126 --> 00:42:26,126 The itinerary is awesome. 526 00:42:26,226 --> 00:42:29,766 And the end service delivered has been exceptional. 527 00:42:30,306 --> 00:42:34,546 We're not perfect, mistakes are made, but generally speaking, you'll have a great experience. 528 00:42:34,546 --> 00:42:39,874 But our backend logistics, we know has been a little bit of a bumpy road, but 529 00:42:39,874 --> 00:42:41,736 We've invested lots of time and lots of money in it. 530 00:42:41,736 --> 00:42:49,366 Shelly's been working very hard with the team and the team had involvement in making it structured, which works for them and in turn for yourself. 531 00:42:49,366 --> 00:42:56,485 So you will see a much smoother back end situation coming um as this system rolls out. 532 00:42:56,485 --> 00:42:58,956 So we're all very, excited, particularly the team. 533 00:42:58,956 --> 00:43:05,287 We are definitely excited and um I can't I'm I'm still I'm still waiting for all of it to come. 534 00:43:05,287 --> 00:43:05,880 I'm ready. 535 00:43:05,880 --> 00:43:08,191 Yeah, I'm Okay, time. 536 00:43:08,191 --> 00:43:12,113 I'm going to, in my head, I'm going to edit that and put that further earlier in the conversation. 537 00:43:12,113 --> 00:43:13,854 Okay, so we're going to go out now. 538 00:43:13,854 --> 00:43:16,246 Okay. 539 00:43:16,246 --> 00:43:17,216 So we talk about uniqueness. 540 00:43:17,216 --> 00:43:18,017 Okay. 541 00:43:18,017 --> 00:43:27,672 So I think you've seen today or heard today, depending on what you're doing, listening or watching us, um that our Groups department um is very well established. 542 00:43:27,672 --> 00:43:31,934 One, the company's 55 years old and I think Groups started at like five years after the company. 543 00:43:31,934 --> 00:43:35,636 So it's probably one of the oldest uh Groups. 544 00:43:36,382 --> 00:43:37,523 as well as one of the largest. 545 00:43:37,523 --> 00:43:44,406 um Through Heather's words, you should have picked up that, know, customize, customize, customize is what it's about. 546 00:43:44,406 --> 00:43:47,677 It's what the team love to do because it makes your life interesting as well. 547 00:43:47,677 --> 00:43:48,277 It does. 548 00:43:48,277 --> 00:43:49,828 That every booking is different. 549 00:43:49,828 --> 00:43:54,630 um There is good financial benefits with working with groups. 550 00:43:54,630 --> 00:43:55,726 um 551 00:43:55,726 --> 00:44:00,306 You get one itinerary sold to multiple people, flip side is you have to herd those people into the itinerary. 552 00:44:00,306 --> 00:44:07,426 But again, if you come through with a group ready to go, or you get that spec group up and running, then you've got that momentum going for future groups. 553 00:44:07,426 --> 00:44:09,226 Repeat business is key. 554 00:44:09,226 --> 00:44:14,586 Like you mentioned earlier in our conversation that you have a lot of repeat agents. 555 00:44:14,766 --> 00:44:17,506 Let me ask you this, how many phone calls do you get with a new agent? 556 00:44:17,506 --> 00:44:22,706 Or is your business, is your book of business 90 % your repeat agents? 557 00:44:22,910 --> 00:44:28,456 Um, I would say I'm still growing my repeat uh repeat business of course. 558 00:44:28,456 --> 00:44:33,321 Um new agents, I'm still always still working with new people. 559 00:44:33,321 --> 00:44:42,461 And I love working with um with new agents as well because we have a lot to grow and learn together. 560 00:44:42,461 --> 00:44:44,720 So I still enjoy also meeting with 561 00:44:44,720 --> 00:44:45,651 I'm sure. 562 00:44:45,651 --> 00:44:52,716 So if you're an experienced with groups, look to go away with our experienced groups department, reach out to Heather directly. 563 00:44:52,716 --> 00:44:56,800 If you have America's Eraser or any of our other team for any other parts of the world. 564 00:44:56,800 --> 00:45:00,583 If you're new to groups, reach out again to Heather or the team. 565 00:45:00,583 --> 00:45:03,145 They're more than happy to work with you as a new person. 566 00:45:03,145 --> 00:45:09,950 One to the industry, if you've never sold travel in general or sold FIT, but now you're looking at groups. 567 00:45:10,318 --> 00:45:13,569 The team will help you out and we have so much support in the background. 568 00:45:13,569 --> 00:45:22,303 Again, the Travel Academy has, I think, seven modules on finding group, pipering the group, logistics behind it, the marketing of it. 569 00:45:22,303 --> 00:45:22,933 It's all there. 570 00:45:22,933 --> 00:45:29,866 So if you're new, check out the Academy, run through the modules and give Heather a call and then she will help you in the real world of it. 571 00:45:29,866 --> 00:45:34,208 It's such a wide open world for travel in general, but for groups, it's everything. 572 00:45:34,208 --> 00:45:38,936 Like it's all the destinations, Goi does all seven continents, so we can handle any country. 573 00:45:38,936 --> 00:45:41,829 but then it gets into that really cool, fine stuff. 574 00:45:41,829 --> 00:45:51,716 DJs, undertakers, photographers, influencers, which is becoming a big one, wellness groups, sports groups, women's groups. 575 00:45:51,857 --> 00:45:59,744 Think of any group of people, any hobby, then that's potential group waiting to happen that you can tap into. 576 00:45:59,744 --> 00:46:02,846 Heather, before we go any further, you want to say to our travel partners out there. 577 00:46:03,262 --> 00:46:06,664 Just that, you know, we're called destination specialists for a reason. 578 00:46:06,664 --> 00:46:18,509 So no matter your experience with groups uh or even at a region, uh you come to us because we are fully knowledgeable and capable of taking care and providing you with all the 579 00:46:18,509 --> 00:46:19,682 information you need. 580 00:46:19,682 --> 00:46:20,422 There you go. 581 00:46:20,422 --> 00:46:22,713 So on the note, I'd like to thank Heather for her time today. 582 00:46:22,713 --> 00:46:26,394 And as always, thank you out there for giving us an hour or so of your time. 583 00:46:26,394 --> 00:46:31,345 We know how busy you are and hopefully now how busy you will be with your next group bookings. 584 00:46:31,446 --> 00:46:32,116 Until next time. 585 00:46:32,116 --> 00:46:35,027 you