Expert Personalised Travel Advice

UnitedFlyer

So ... I just found out yesterday I lost my job, so I've now got free time all the time!
Obviously needing to find some sort of income, I would like fellow MSE to comment on the following as to what they think and would they be interested.

I've noticed that lots of people are always asking advice for where to go, things to do, places to stay etc on here.

My proposition is ...

Due to my , now previous job, I had to travel a lot, especially to America, so I got to visit lots of places, hotels, attractions and so on and can advise on all of these.

So..how many people would be prepared to pay a small fee (through Paypal), perhaps £2.50 or so, for personalised travel advice.

This could be a request such as "Get me to America, somewhere fun and hip for as little as possible but I need to do this and that as part of my holiday" or "I need to go to X place, how do I get there, and what hotel is the closest/best".
Perhaps it might be "I want luxury from start to finish on my holiday - what do you recommend I do"

I would be prepared to do all your research, and report the findings back, put you in touch with agents, web links etc for the holiday.

I could even draw up some kind of initerary for you, if you've never been before, detailing what to do, see, do, go etc etc.

Depending on the level of interest, I would perhaps even be willing to book trips/lounges/passes etc for you in advance.

Please give your comments on this to see if anyone would be interested in this idea to save lots of time when booking your next holiday.
Many thanks!!

melt71

Sounds great in theory. I thought about doing something similar a couple of years back as became quite an expert at DIY holidays and had a huge amount of info about it (mostly Europe based holidays).

BUT the type of people that would love this kind of holiday would be the sort to investigate it themselves. Maybe even book it themselves as a DIY. So I didn't see that it would work as way of making money.

On the other hand, more and more people are becoming Disillusioned with package firms and holidays. Maybe you could aim for the professional market - those who want something different, have the money to pay for it but don't have the time to research it. How would you reach this market? local advertising?

Also, have you thought of working with an independent travel agency - such as KWIK TRAVEL. They have agents that work for them but I'm pretty sure they are based from home, maybe even as self employed. It may be worth looking into this long term as the company will have already done the marketing for you.

Good luck.

Mel

cheekymole

UnitedFlyer,

sorry to hear about your job but I don't think you can advertise this kind of work on here.
If you are only asking for an opinion as to whether people would pay then I think that's fine but otherwise I think your post would be removed

black-saturn

He's not advertising on here, he's asking for an opinion of how to make money just the same as any other thread on here about making money on the side :rolleyes:

It would be a great idea if it were to work.

I'm hlaf way through a Travel and Tourism course and I have also done lots of travelling so this is something I've also often thought of doing.

There are however loads of sites offering a similar service for free.

cheekymole

black-saturn wrote:

He's not advertising on here, he's asking for an opinion of how to make money just the same as any other thread on here about making money on the side :rolleyes:

It would be a great idea if it were to work.

I'm hlaf way through a Travel and Tourism course and I have also done lots of travelling so this is something I've also often thought of doing.

There are however loads of sites offering a similar service for free.

Just didn't want OP to get ticked off

and (to me) it does sound a bit like advertising as OP is saying that they would book it for you (i.e. us)

UnitedFlyer

Just to quote... I am trying to gain opinion as to whether people would be interested in this service, im not advertising it.

As mentioned earlier, yes, there are lots of sites that offer this information free, but this takes time! And this is where I would fit in.

So ... any more views, or people of interest?

cheekymole

I'll wind my neck in then!!!!

xxMandyxx

hi i think thats i great idea!

although i love moneysaving i often dont have the time or the inclination lol to trawl through the internet in search of a cheap holiday - id be prepared to pay for that sort of service but thats just little old me - im not sure how many others would...

good luck with it though + i hope you find another job soon :beer:

xxMandyxx

TRAVELMAN_2

Hi!

You'd deffo be better off joining a Travel Agency on a self-employed basis....now the ABTA ruling is '2 years experience in the last 5 in an ABTA Travel Agency'....let's just say that rule can be looked at .....ahem (!) in a different light & is not rigid (!).

This is a job I do & have done for 8 years. The marketplace is harder what with the web, etc....but there are still a lot of people who a)-don't have the time/inclination to spend hours searching, b)are willing to book with someone with 1st hand experience/knowledge, c) people such as OAP'S etc who are not as computer savvy as some & d)-lastly but SO important-through an ABTA Agent or 'DIY'D' by an agent under their ATOL licence & it's asscociated protection.

I used to post a great deal on here but as the site is all about 'moneysaving' (& quite right too!!!) a lot of people CAN get deals £10/£20 cheaper than I can get it for (as obviously there are small costs for ath bonding etc) by 'DIY'ing themselves......(Savapenny/Sloppy are the undisputed experts on this!) but...they are not fully protected ATOL bookings...& as it's a moneysaving site people just want the cheapest deal.

Why not think about becoming an Agent? Yes-thw market place is tough BUT there are still a few accommodation suppliers such as trust accommodation, Bedbank, etc who are Trade only & crucify the other 'on sale to all' sites.

Use your knowledge I'd say! PM me & I can get you more info.

P.S -You won't get much business off MSE (I guess you'd thought about it!) as most will DIY themselves to get the best prices & don't seem too worried about the 'non-bonded' risks (& no disrespect-it IS a moneysaving site).

UnitedFlyer

Thanks for all replies so far.

Any more ideas or anyone else thats interested in this please let me know on here or PM me.

Thanks

hammy_the_hammer

if you don't advertise it on here how are you going to solicit business ?