|
|
Have Products, Will Travel
By: Audrey Sellers, Associate Editor
Issue: 2010jan
Handy promotional products make the journey smoother for business travelers and vacationers alike.
Though it may seem that fewer travelers are boarding planes and hitting the highways, the $770 billion travel industry is booming—and is projected to grow even larger in 2010, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Leisure travel is predicted to increase two percent, business travel should be up 2.5 percent and international travel will see a three-percent jump this year. A surge in travelers means big opportunity for your clients to get their message to the jet-setting masses.
“Travel gifts are items that will be kept, used and most of all, noticed,” says Paul Dubois, VP of marketing for Keene, New Hampshire-based supplier Ready 4 Kits – Comfort Gear (UPIC: KITS). “They’re perfect for any company with a traveling sales/service force such as insurance, traveling nurses, accounting firm auditors, etc.”
Plus, there’s a wide range of travel products available, many of which are evolving right alongside the retail market, Dubois notes. “Promotional travel products are changing rapidly to keep up with consumer demand for useful items as well as adjusting to conform to government travel regulations,” he says.
Dubois says his company’s items are typically given as holiday gifts or distributed before a company retreat, so talk to your clients about what events they have lined up this year. Even if they’re not planning a tradeshow, offsite meeting or convention, customized travel products still come in handy for their employees and customers—as long as the items are useful.
“Think practicality. Is it an item you would use? If so, then most of the recipients will probably use it and appreciate it,” says Dubois. “It will strengthen the relationship with the client you sold to and encourage repeat business.”
 | Help travelers stay on time with the Pop Open Clam Travel Alarm Clock , which features a luminous dial, shiny silver finish and compact travel case.
Chass (Hinpo-Chass, Inc.) UPIC: chass1h 800-886-2427 |
Ladies can groom and mend on the go with the 3-In-1 Travel Compact . It includes a pop-up hairbrush and a mini sewing kit complete with buttons, needle, threader and safety pin.
Aakron Rule Corp. UPIC: AAKRON 800-828-1570 |  |
 | The folding Bag Hanger has a sturdy hook encased in a magnetized, recessed track for convenient storage. It unfolds completely to suspend bags off the floor.
EMT UPIC: EMTEASY 800-289-2911
|
Recipients can record a personalized message on the Bag Finder , which is activated by an infrared remote that fits on a keychain. It also features flashing LED lights visible up to 80 feet away.
Fortune Products Inc. UPIC: FORTU022 800-345-4833 |  |
 | Traveling out of the country? Keep the Universal Travel Adapter handy, which is compatible in more than 150 countries and folds flatter than most adapters.
International Merchandise Concepts UPIC: IMC1 800-331-6624 |
Sightseeing excursions call for the Voyager Camera Bag , which features a zippered compartment for a camera and accessories. It unfolds to reveal a travel wallet and includes a strap for attaching to a belt or another bag. Travel Tip: Include a photo album or magnetic photo frame to round out this travel gift.
Norwood Promotional Products UPIC: NORWOOD 317-275-2500 |  |
 | Equip vacationers with customized travel guides from Frommers, Fodors, Little Black Book, Pop-Out Map, Michelin and Not For Tourists to help them find their way.
The Book Company UPIC: BOOKCO 800-367-9388 |
Travelers can keep their bags secure and noticeable with Luggage Straps , which are available with a silkscreened, sublimated or woven logo.
Martini Promotions UPIC: CRZY8740 877-276-4666 |  |
 | After a long plane ride or car trip, Scotch® Lint Sheets Pocket Packs come in handy to quickly lift lint, hair and other debris from clothing. Its cover keeps lint sheets from sticking to purse and pocket contents. Travel Tip: Your clients can make mini meeting survival kits by combining these lint sheets with a notepad, pen and breath mints, which are all easily packed.
3M Promotional Markets Dept. UPIC: POST-IT 800-328-2407 |
A greener version of the traveling essential, the Corn Plastic Luggage Tag is made from 100-percent U.S. corn plastic and fits a standard-sized business card.
Quick Point, Inc. UPIC: QUICKPT 636-343-9400 |  |
 | Pack smart with the Travel Kit , a travel bag stocked with four two-ounce bottles, one sticker card for labeling and an instruction book.
Ready 4 Kits – Comfort Gear UPIC: KITS 800-742-2250 |
It’s easy to tuck the Eco Umbrella , which has a canopy made from recycled materials and a handle made from recycled plastics and waste wood fibers, into a tote bag or purse.
Stromberg Brand UPIC: 1ASTRMBG 800-724-0996
|  |
 | Offered in more than 70 scents, the Six-Ounce Travel Candle has a lid to protect it in recipients’ bags. Travel Tip: Pair this candle with slippers and a sleep mask to create the ultimate pampering gift for tired travelers.
Peerless Umbrella Co. UPIC: peerless 888-485-4900 |
Luggage Grabbers Are Really Conversation Starters
Have you noticed that most people carry black luggage? Look at the luggage carousel the next time you’re at the airport or observe your fellow travelers. When all the bags look the same, it makes it kind of hard to pinpoint your own. This gave Carol Margolis, founder of SmartWomenTravelers.com, an idea. Why not stock up on colorful luggage grabbers and use them to spark a conversation with strangers?
“I hand them out to women travelers during my weekly flights in order to start a conversation about my upcoming book,” Margolis says. “I’m collecting funny travel stories from travelers, flight attendants and airline staff, and these luggage grips are a conversation starter.”
As Margolis jets from one destination to the next, she distributes her lime-green luggage grabbers and asks ladies to submit photos of them in different cities and countries. “I plan on having many more logoed items for travel,” she says. “Right now, I’m looking for just the right high-quality products that woman travelers would appreciate.”
Pack Your Bags
Top 10 Domestic Destinations In 2009:
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Orlando, Florida
3. Kahului (Maui), Hawaii
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
5. New York City
6. Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona
7. Anchorage, Alaska
8. Washington, D.C.
9. San Francisco, California
10. Chicago, Illinois
Top 10 International Destinations In 2009:
1. Caribbean cruising
2. Cancun, Mexico
3. Riviera Maya, Mexico
4. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
5. Mediterranean cruising
6. Montego Bay, Jamaica
7. Rome, Italy
8. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
9. Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos, Mexico
10. Mexico cruising
11. London, England
Source: www.usnews.com
Target Your Travel Promotions
American Express polled its travel staffers and came up with five types of travelers. We’ve listed them below along with some products that might appeal to each segment.
Second City Travelers: These jetsetters prefer to skip past major draws in favor of lesser-known areas that provide great vacation experiences with smaller price tags. Possible promotional products: Roomy luggage for packing vacation essentials or a travel clock for keeping up with various time zones.
Tried-And-True Travelers: They’ve been to a destination, enjoyed it and know how to spend their time and money there. Possible promotional products: Travel pillow for relaxing on the flight or drive, or a travel candle for making the room cozy when they check in.
Closer-To-Home Travelers: This group is all for venturing away from home—just not too far. Possible promotional products: Maps or travel books on what to see and do in nearby cities and towns.
Family Vacation Rentals: These vacationers opt for bringing the extended family together for good times at a reasonable cost. Possible promotional products: Travel games to keep kids occupied en route or travel-sized toiletry items to keep shared spaces tidy.
Value Vacations: For travelers who want controlled bottom-line costs, cruise-line and all-inclusive packages are a best bet. Possible promotional products: Purse hangers for bellying up to the bar or luggage tags for spotting bags after arrival.
Source: www.travelagentcentral.com
|
|
|
|