Photo. The GO stand was incredible popular. © Travel Explorations.
On travel fair Reiseliv at Lillestrøm near Oslo, people could find good exhibition offers, competitions, interesting travel presentations and entertainment for the whole family. Probably the most popular stand on the whole travel fair was represented by the Norwegian tour operator and agent GO - Gonow.
New way to sell journeys
At the travel fair GO - Gonow.no (www.gonow.no) announced for 200 so called test pilots. It means that selected people will be offered free tours for exploring the destinations the company offers tours to. People who would like to be considered could submit by writing their name and address on a scheme or register personal information on a PC set up on GO`s stand. The lucky people will be contacted through e-mail. The only demand from GO is that the travellers report honestly back what they have experienced. It`s an expensive, but smart and hopefully rewardable way to build an extensive client database fast.
Travellers who like be considered can choose between the following tours:
• Snoop Dogg - Yo! Experience the hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg in Oslo Spektrum, Oslo. VIP-style. Vorspiel og nachspiel after the concert.
• Disneyland Paris – Get air under you wings!
• Shopping in London and Paris - Shop until you drop!
• Down hill skiing in Aostadalen, Italy!
• Cruise in Caribbean - Freedom of The Seas, the newest ship to RCCL!
• Robinson on Philippines!
• Ice hotel (Ishotell) in Alta - Cool as ice!
• European match Norway – Bosnia – Give everything for Norway!
GO started in 2006, and are owned by SAS - Scandinavian Airlines, and the Reitan group. Scandinavian Airlines is one of the leading airline groups in Europe. The Reitan group is the leading chain of convenience, magazines, tickets and food, distributed through more than 2700 retailers in Scandinavia. According to information on their website, GO has a multi channel strategy which include sale from the retailers, the web and through cell phone network.
The representative on the stand informed that it will be a big launch in Norway in May this year. Think about that: soon it’s possible to book tours through machines (automates) in retail shops. Anyway the company`s expect that most of their bookings will come through internet in the future. In May there will also be possible to book tickets through their website and through mobile telephones.
GO offers tours to 60% of their destinations within Europe, and 40% overseas with emphasis on America and Far East.
GO has its own department who specialising in meetings for companies and organisations, tailormade in accordance with the clients wish and demand. GO focuses also on experiences. Every product is build around a special adventure experience or event.
It will be interested to see how this new sales concept will succeed. Would you GO for it?
Stein Morten Lund, 15 January 2007