As a travel agent looking to give your clients unforgettable experiences at a great value, you already know the benefits of taking an off-season vacation. However, your customers might not be as familiar with traveling during shoulder seasons. They might also need convincing (for example, they may understand that traveling to Paris in the springtime is both popular and expensive but remain determined to go because they read that it’s widely considered one of the best times to visit).
To help you have effective and persuasive conversations that grow your off-season vacation business, we have tips that will help you answer questions that start with “What is shoulder season?” become “What are the best shoulder season destinations?” and end with “How quickly can I book a shoulder season vacation?”
Share the Benefits of Shoulder Seasons
If you’re starting the conversation of shoulder season travel, stay positive, and begin with the benefits.
If they ask, “What is shoulder season?” answer that first. A succinct definition is “the period between peak and low travel seasons when travelers can enjoy lower prices and smaller crowds.”
Starting with price is important-it can be a make-or-break factor for many vacation travelers. Let them know that during peak seasons, airfare and accommodations (not to mention attractions your clients may want to visit) tend to be more expensive. By taking an off-season vacation, though, your clients can take advantage of the lower prices that come with lower demand at certain points of the year.
Next, move onto discussing the best shoulder season destinations. These can vary from client to client. However, you can come to the conversation equipped with expertise. Once you know your customers’ interests, the kinds of climates they want to enjoy, and the types of activities they want to participate in, do your homework. If they want to visit Europe, for example, you’ll know it’s typically busy from June to August, so research weather, events, and price trends for periods from April to May or September to October.
The Exclusive Deals Only You Can Provide
When you sell your clients on a shoulder season vacation, you have an opportunity to show how indispensable you are, both for this trip and any they want to plan in the future. That’s all thanks to the unique industry relationships you’ve spent time building throughout your career.
When off-season trips come your way, be ready to reach out to those contacts at tour companies, hotels, and more to see how you can sweeten the deals more than what those companies may already be offering during these lighter travel times. This may seem difficult at first glance-after all, prices are already lowered in the shoulder seasons, right? -but businesses may be eager enough to fill rooms and excursions that reaching out could pay off for your customers while making you look amazing.
You can also make yourself indispensable by keeping an eye out for last-minute deals clients don’t know to look for. If accommodations aren’t at capacity right around the time a booking is supposed to take place, for instance, lower rates may become available. Honing your ability to swoop in and save clients money right before they take off for vacation can further prove your status as a helpful travel planning partner.
The Unique Experiences You Can Help Them Enjoy
What is shoulder season if not a time for experiences most travelers won’t get to have on their expensive peak season trips? Keep that in mind and promote the experiences your client won’t be able to enjoy at the most popular times of the year. These can include lesser-known festivals, astrotourism opportunities for locales with longer nights in the off season.
If it benefits your business, you could also offer special shoulder season experience packages for one of the below:
- Special culinary events: Pair walking food tours with a cooking class and restaurant reservations that may be too difficult to book in peak seasons.
- Private museum tours: Even if a famous art museum is always en vogue, tour guides may be offering private or small-group sessions at lower prices. Promoting a package that bundles multiple tours could appeal to the intellectual traveler.
While this isn’t an exhaustive list, think of what you know about the best shoulder season destinations you want to sell and see what unique adventures you’ll be able to provide.
Let Your Clients Know about Shoulder Season Travel Insurance
Once your clients are booked and excited for their off-season vacation, let them know there’s one more thing they can do that may help them save money should obstacles arise on their trip: find the right travel insurance for their shoulder season vacation. With low-cost travel insurance, they may be financially protected in the event of delayed or canceled flights, lost or damaged luggage, or needs for medical attention.
One of the best ways they can do that is by comparing their options on InsureMyTrip.com. As the world’s first travel insurance comparison website, we are an unbiased source of information they can use to build and analyze quotes from top providers. Our dedicated Customer Care team of licensed professionals is also standing by to help travelers navigate the nuances of coverage, and answer questions as they determine the best low-cost travel insurance for shoulder season getaway.
If they’d like to get started, let them know they can start a quote on our site today.
