Interview
I leave a copy of the interview I did with my good friend John Sobejano to which I have a brother, a character that I found on the net, you know, and who have long shared sectoral concerns and friendship from a distance but close I leave the link to the original
http://www.blogtrw.com/2010/07/entrevista-a-joan-gou-propietario-de-viatges-maritim-sa/
"Hi Joan, first of all introduce yourself to readers
01/05/1956 Joan Gou i camps receptive travel agent located on the Costa Brava, since 1985 with his own company, Viatges Maritim, sa I spent all my professional life the tourism sector, in two facets sector, hotels and travel agencies.
"You have an incoming travel agency in Lloret de Mar, Viatjes Maritim, how has the season?, Uncertain
would be a correct answer but ambiguous, I guess your claim is that I get wet.
Each company will have its merits, focusing on your question is probably true that close with a significant decline in total number of customers (soon to determine absolute numbers), although acceptable in the economic context, after adjusting the budget estimates without to make adjustments in the template.
- Have you noticed many changes at the time of booking by the customers? How much do you think is to blame for the crisis?
really in my processes have not been detected or habit changes and consumption, as my client is stable, loyal and repetitive (68%), it is clear that when we do not know the causes that determine certain behaviors of customers seeking the immediate environment, now we play to the crisis, not having been, the responsibility would have undoubtedly fallen in World Cup as in previous years without a crisis, the question is justified.
- How is this crisis affecting the sun and beach destinations?
The current crisis as we understand it (financial and real estate) from my point of view has no effect directly, the sun and beach destinations in crisis long endogenous high constant fluctuations that mask the results, that simple question may in itself generate much debate (Which otherwise has been brought to the network in more than one occasion) in which many converge in the diagnosis.
- Do you think that will change the sector in some way after the crisis? What?
crisis as understood by many temporary situation to return to the past does not change anything at all.
If we understand the current crisis and change in social production model and compared as was the evolution of the technological industrial system, it is clear that it will introduce changes that will have to adapt, as will be the first to sue the market.
response to what?, To know what you say, but I can tell you that not from my point of view.
not happen in the consumption habits of customers buying patterns to traditional technology, like many enacted in the facility is intended, by penetrating forcibly biased statements such as by way of example and that the desires of producers or borrowers match the user, the latter for now behave in seeking information and based on the value, determine where they get more guarantees on their purchase (Value for Money) Internet or face.
"You've been part of the evolution of web 2.0 in the tourism sector, how has seen the evolution? Say
walking around this me and invited me (and others you were one of them my gratitude for it) to board the train, I found few in the crowd, but good traveling companions and probably now be able to analyze What is my point of view in this regard.
constantly get on the train some unique characters, a kind of preaching (to call in some way) announcing the end of a model course for the benefit of the client (the client also believe me), they often end their cries with phrases like these "if you do not apply this knowledge, it's your last," most of them unknown sector tourism. Sector
acquiring knowledge in technology, based on two prophecies, "low cost or free initial investment" and "all customers are there waiting for your offer," neither are true.
The market is expecting bids mackerel starting with "free."
Although he also knows that "all costs" and that no work "free" beginning with themselves, thus between desire and reality imposed by the latter.
It is creating a new wave of "rogues" (on both sides of the process, evangelists and producers) very "Our" by the way, when the level of reliability on the market is balanced with reality, we will see how the level of market demand will rise the bar for reliability and security demands at the expense of price.
In all this hubbub, there will be new models certainly know for the moment, but something I'm really satisfied with, the current model touted not serve me, nor I, nor the customer, the fact that there are more models to choose from (current / traditional) does not mean that the market has accepted them as much as some endeavor to make it credible.
- What do you see the bubble in all this? Do you think you're overestimating social media?
not know whether to call it bubble, focusing on my experience, I'm still the same person, media profile or not, my relationships remain credible face socially speaking, what makes me the technology is to have access to people who never have known of its existence, my gratitude to these companies that have provided us, the rest is still in my hands.
for other productive sectors probably the novelty of social networking has opened a door of hope in the interactions with the market for the tourism sector has simply helped to broaden and strengthen this sector has always lived a caballo de las relaciones publicas y la conversación con los clientes, bendito sector privilegiado, aunque muchos aun no se han enterado.
-¿Cómo crees que evolucionará la utilización de los medios sociales en el sector? ¿Se comprometerán las empresas en su uso y lo integrarán en su gestión?
Como sector ampliamente hablando, habrá velocidades distintas de adaptación, muchos ya saben que para tener una imagen irrefutable en la red hay que haber hecho antes los deberes de calidad y prestación de servicios y eso equivale a invertir recursos económicos (el miedo a la crítica del cliente a sabiendas que será negativa, frena su presencia en las redes) ventaja competitiva for those who are calm and proud of their processes.
If the majority view is on this line, they have no choice but to adapt to this new reality, but as someone said (Alfonso Duran Pitch) can not pass Goat's Internet overnight.
"You're very involved, for obvious reasons, the promotion of destinations, what value you give the role of government and how you're doing?
administrations to me, are all suspended. (As an adjective benevolent).
have no strategy, no goals, are not able to control supply (neither public nor private) But invest in promoting it with all their efforts and resources (that is the only productive activity to which the state pays the promotion of private activity under the general budget).
When I refer to control supply, I mean in the verification held at the time of those licenses to open that once granted and forget about it the next day, therefore it is a promotion in the dark.
same effort in providing quality and the obsolete, there is no distinction, "Everything under the Sun"
obey the demands of pressure groups (hospitality industry) by the government (whether central or autonomic).
The only data published at the end of tourist season is the amount invested and number of visitors (always growing) in brief notes given by the minister on duty in the trade press.
- How interesting and valid point you see the strategy they are following some regions to be seen as direct competition with others? Do you think it is an appropriate strategy or consider to be a way to handle zero-sum scenario?
communities spend enormous sums in promoting what they call destinations, when in fact subsidize the promotion of private provision. Clearly
if a hotel competes with its neighbors, communities compete against each other, competition is very healthy as well as recommended, provided it is understood as a barometer to measure the quality perceived by users and tool for continuous improvement.
I think this second half and answered the previous question, and there is no strategy or objectives, in case anyone is upset about these statements, I have no objection to discussions and demonstrations, many colleagues agree with that sector administration follows a path parallel to ours, with a distinct difference, they just spend (not invest) in promoting, while the rest have to generate positive results and give explanations In this last paragraph I think I answered the last question on the subject.
- How do you think is managing the brand promotion of the destinations? Do you think we have too many brands and should be appropriate to group them or consider this strategy?
live in a country of countries, multiple destinations, we see it as rich or deficiency of order, I prefer to see it as wealth.
The second part of the question is moot in preference to the tastes of the reader, some think that if there are too many and others are content to watch the closest mentally ignoring the others.
As I am assuming there is no strategy, hardly I can think that such a mark is.
With no vision of destiny as a country, hard to accept that within it there are different destinations, the mayor considered the offer of the municipality only, the Adviser considers the offer of its unique community.
The Minister said that our country is a leader, and probably if your hand was the possibility of taxation, impose a single brand (theirs).
- What do you think has to change in the management of the promotion of destinations to make the most of?
From my point of view until a mayor (basic unit of output) does not assume the reality of their town as a destination (and not just clustering and landscape sources of income) and positioned in the place that belongs on its closest competitors, have no real vision of the situation of their town, just so you can devise strategies and set objectives which are to be shared and backed by fellow citizens (all) not only the tourism sector, and thus with the Regional Minister / Counsellor in your community, to present to the central government an integrated, credible, defensible, enforceable and measurable.
What I just described, which is understandable as well as simple, plain common sense, is still to be done, regardless of whether each store on the shelves of their offices more than a strategic plan, excellence, and market studies.
-Recommend a trip for this holiday
The best trip is one that is desired, and can share, regardless of destination.
"A good movie to watch
movie buff I am, many years ago I'm not going to the movies or watch movies on TV, I prefer books, debates, social networks, and especially coffee and conversation with friends, a question of priorities.
"A good book to read
My latest readings are:
" You know tot "Xavier Bosch
" The power of the mind " Eduardo Punset,
"No fear" Jericho
Pilar
"A good restaurant to eat
could Mentioning many, but it may annoy those not mentioned by oversight.
back where I like to treat me well, the quality is good and the right price.
in Lloret de Mar (my hometown) there are good restaurants that meet my desires.