Air travel and the transportation industry

2009 was one of the hardest years for chauffeured transportation and air travel ever. As the economy continues to change, so does the demand for travel, the cost to accommodate, and the air travel economy in general. As 2010 begins, transportation companies must accommodate and adapt to make the most out of today’s straining travel industry.

OPERATOR TIP SHEET

Chauffeured transportation operators exeprienced in the business travel market offered these observations and tips for gaining clients in the 2010 travel scene:

• Give something value-added: Talk about upgrades, give an SUV instead of a sedan, track individual travelers and reward them, give companies a 2% or 3% rebate on rates.

• Pursue pharmaceutical companies and markets. This sector conducts many conferences nationwide, and regularly releases products.

• Other industries to pursue: Health care, biotechnology, OEMs, electronics, and computer software.

• Offer clients a shuttle service that makes the rounds at airports and hotels when travelers arrive for a major conference.

• Get in front of people. You cannot wait for business, but must work harder than ever before to get your message out repeatedly.

• Provide clients with a better solution and prove it is preferable to the way they are traveling now.

• Seek companies with good cash positions on or near the top of the market. Focus on those doing well, since they are willing to spend.

• It can take a year to crack a customer. Have a reason for them to talk to you. Do you offer something different?

• Clients are more price conscious and apt to shop around for rates. Offer a variety of pricing options.

• Offer smaller vehicles at a lower cost. Some customers appreciate a lower cost option.

• SUVs are more in demand because they can fit more clients and luggage than a sedan.

• Get good salespeople who can sell value and not just your company. Don’t come in like a used car salesman and only say you can beat a price. It doesn’t help in the long run, since you’ll have to make up for lowball losses later.

• Look closely at your ranks of chauffeurs and decide who may need to leave. Now may be a good time to go through personnel and shake things up.

• Look for companies that are holding regional meetings instead of going to the obvious hotspots, such as Orlando and Las Vegas. Second-tier locations are becoming more popular as companies seek lower costs and travel profiles.

• Use targeted marketing and promotions. Business networking sites such as Linked In and Plaxo offer viral opportunties, while business magazines, radio advertising, billboards, and sporting events reach wider audiences.

• Sports events tend to attract the consumers who can afford to use luxury vehicles. If you can get the leisure business of fans in skyboxes and premiere seats, and season ticket holders, you are more likely to get their professional business.

from A.Romjue.

Aristocat Transportation offers a fleet of over 80 vehicles of any size for any occasion or event type, including corporate meetings, airport pickup and transportation, as well as transportation to expos in the metro area, even through the struggling economy, we provide affordable rates and options fit for anyone traveling worldwide.