MARKETING TO THE
                       AMERICAN
                       CONSUMER
                       Peggy Peterka
                       Tourism Authority of Thailand
                       Los Angeles




Friday, 17 June 2011
LET’S LOOK AT THE NUMBERS…

         Population                       310 Million

         # of Passports             114 Million
            That’s less than 37% of the total population

         # Overseas pax 2009         30 Million
            Asia gets less than 20% (600,000 pax)
             or 2% of the entire population




Friday, 17 June 2011
STILL LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS…
     Average Income of American Family 2005                            $ 46,000 per year


     Average Household Income of those
          Traveling Overseas                                            $109,000 per year


          Approximately 16% of the US population has a
          household income of $109,000 or over.



          Statistics from Intl Trade Administration, Office of Travel
          and Tourism Industries , and Wikipedia




Friday, 17 June 2011
WHY DO AMERICANS TRAVEL

        #1 reason:



              Seeking authentic experiences
                   in new destinations




Friday, 17 June 2011
EMERGING TRAVEL TRENDS….

    #1 trend:
    Family and Multi-Generational Travel




Friday, 17 June 2011
FACTORS CONSIDERED….

        #1 The Destination

        Is it Safe?
        Is there Value for $ Spent?
        Will I learn something?
        Will I enrich my life by going?



Friday, 17 June 2011
WHAT ARE THE TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL

                       SOURCES OF INFORMATION

                        FOR TRAVEL DECISIONS?




Friday, 17 June 2011
1. Travel Consultants/Retail Agents   84.5%
    2. Friends and Family                 74.4%
    3. Travel Publications                34.3%
    4. Travel Websites                    28.0%
    5. Travel Programs on TV              15.0%
    6. Direct Mail Travel Offers          10.1%
    7. Email Travel Offers                10.6%
    8. Lifestyle Publications              9.7%
    9. Social Networking Sites             7.7%
    10. Print Advertisements               3.4%




Friday, 17 June 2011
WHO IS TRAVELING?

      Boomers                (Age group 46-65)
         This is a huge market--78 million, and
         growing by 10,000 per day in 2011.


                       These people have the time,
                       money and thirst for TRAVEL.




Friday, 17 June 2011
Generation X and Y
      (age group 25-55)


      1. These people are mostly busy working and building
         families and careers.
      2. They have limited time (max. 2 weeks per year) and
         limited money (got that mortgage, saving for college
         for the children, etc.) to travel.
      3. When they do travel, they want value for $ spent, they
         want unique and authentic experiences.




Friday, 17 June 2011
MORE REASONS TO TRAVEL….
    Life enrichment
    Education
    Visit Family and Friends + have a vacation
    Special Interest: Golf, Medical, Honeymoon
    Voluntourism – Give Back to Society




Friday, 17 June 2011
LET’S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THOSE
        REASONS TO TRAVEL…..
         Visit Family and Friends
                            + have a vacation



     We call this, “Visit Thailand on Your Way”
     The Asian population is huge in the US. Most of them want to go “home” to visit
     friends and relatives. We suggest they also have a vacation in Thailand on their way to
     their home country.




Friday, 17 June 2011
We reach this market by:

       • Joint promotions with other Asian NTO’s
         and Airlines
       • Joint promotions with US Wholesalers who
         specialize in the Asian ethnic markets with
         advertising in Asian papers and tv
       • Participation in trade fairs and cultural festivals with
         special packages to other Asian destinations with
         stopovers or add-ons to Thailand




Friday, 17 June 2011
Voluntourism – Give back to society
       Ecological – Leave a smaller footprint

       Did you know that 98% of people polled consider themselves to be
         ecology-minded. They want to travel and see the world, but not
         leave a big footprint that might harm the natural surroundings for
         future visitors.




    If your product is ecological or supports volunteering—
         talk about it in your marketing messages. It is Important!




Friday, 17 June 2011
HONEYMOON & WEDDING
          The Honeymoon and Wedding market is huge, and
             somewhat resistant to economical problems.
          This is a quality market. It is a once in a lifetime trip
             and they want what they want regardless (to a certain
             degree) of cost.


    To get to this market, we plan to:
    •Advertise in bridal websites such as The Knot, Travel Concierge
    and Bridal Guide.com
    •Online niche training for Weddings and honeymoons
    •Participate in consumer bridal shows in L.A. and Seattle




Friday, 17 June 2011
GOLF
       • Yes, there are plenty of wonderful golf courses in America,
         BUT the amazing courses in Thailand, coupled with the
         amazing Thai Hospitality on the golf courses, may just give
         that potential traveler the extra push he needs to choose
         Thailand!
       • Or it may give that non-golfer the final enticement to their
         traveling partner, who is an avid golfer to choose Thailand!
       • Either way, they end up in Thailand and again, this is
         a quality market.




Friday, 17 June 2011
This is a group that is particularly
    reactive to suggestions from Golf Pros
    or Friends and Family, so our Target to
    get to this market is….

      • Participation at Conferences and Shows for Golfers
        such as IAGTO and PGA meetings
      • Encourage third party accounts in golf media
      • Work with US Tour Operators to add some golfing
        to their packages
      • Co-op with agents that specialize in Golf travel




Friday, 17 June 2011
Medical Tourism

       Health and Wellness has always been a
       good market for Thailand….but the
       exorbitant cost of healthcare in the US is
       now making Thailand a good choice for
       more serious medical treatments too.

         A great deal of press has been given to Thailand’s
         top-quality medical facilities and practitioners.




Friday, 17 June 2011
To penetrate this quality market, TAT-LA will


           • Have a booth at the World Medical Tourism
             Conference
           • Joint advertisements with Medical Facilitators in
             health magazines, newspapers and on-line
           • Make presentations with Thai Doctors in the US
             to educate consumers on the caliber and cost of
             medical treatment available in Thailand




Friday, 17 June 2011
SPECIAL INTEREST:
        GOLF, MEDICAL, HONEYMOON
         These are all important niche markets, that require
            very specific marketing.

         If you want to promote to any of these specific
            markets, let me know. I will be happy to let you
            know what we are doing and advise if there are
            areas where you might join us.




Friday, 17 June 2011
SO, WHAT ARE YOU SELLING?




Friday, 17 June 2011
Are you selling necessary creature comforts?
      Such as Housing, Transportation, Healthcare?




                                NO


Friday, 17 June 2011
YOU ARE SELLING MEMORIES!

         Unique and authentic experiences that will
            supply us with wonderful memories for the
            rest of our lives.




Friday, 17 June 2011
WHAT DOES THAILAND OFFER?

        Value for $$$ spent

           This is incredibly important…Yes it is expensive to GET to
           Thailand BUT once they are here, the
           value for $$$ spent is the best travel bargain
           available today!

           For instance, you can have a 10 day trip to Thailand from
           the US for about the same overall price as a comparable
           trip to Hawaii!




Friday, 17 June 2011
Unimaginable natural beauty




Friday, 17 June 2011
Inspiring Temples and Gardens




Friday, 17 June 2011
 Accommodations beyond our wildest fantasy.




Friday, 17 June 2011
My personal favorite -- ELEPHANTS




Friday, 17 June 2011
BUT,
     THE MOST IMPORTANT
     THING YOU HAVE TO OFFER
     IS…

     YOU, your amazing Thai Hospitality!
     This is what seals in that memory that we will carry with us and
     joyfully share with friends for the rest of our lives!




Friday, 17 June 2011
IS PRICE IMPORTANT?
   Yes, of course, travelers--now more than ever--want
    good value for the $ spent.
   But, they are willing to pay a reasonable amount to
    get the EXPERIENCE they want.
   Promote your product on the EXPERIENCE it will
    provide.
   Promote your product on the AUTHENTICITY of it.




Friday, 17 June 2011
ANY MARKETING EFFORTS HELP,
        But, you want to get to the people that will be interested in
        your product.

        You want to spend your marketing $$ in a manner that
        provides the best ROI.

        With a limited marketing budget, the shotgun approach
        may not be the best. You have to target your messages.




Friday, 17 June 2011
TAT-LA OPPORTUNITIES…
      We have our specialist program called
                “Golden Agents” with over 4000 members.




Friday, 17 June 2011
Send us information about your
        product, or any specials you have for
        our Golden Agents to sell to their
        clients.

        Also send us any special discounts you
        may offer to our Golden Agents if they




        Visit the website at
        www.travelagentacademy.com


Friday, 17 June 2011
MONTHLY
        E-NEWSLETTER
        Send us any news/specials about
          your product. We will try to
          get it in the next e-newsletter,
          space permitting.

        Remember, to be effective, we
          need lots of lead time to
          promote any specials or
          discounts you may offer.




Friday, 17 June 2011
SALES PLANNER
        We print a special Sales Planner
        each year in the fall. You can
        promote your product in that
        Sales Planner which goes to
        travel agents, media and
        consumers. Of course, for this
        there is a cost, But even a small
        ad gets exposure for you to
        people that are definitely
        interested in travel.




Friday, 17 June 2011
DESTINATION
        GUIDE
         This will be published in
         October of this year. You can
         put in a small ad here and be
         certain you are reaching those
         interested in traveling, especially
         to Thailand.




Friday, 17 June 2011
GLOBAL TRAVELER
        SUPPLEMENT

        This was printed earlier this year.
        Let me know if you would like to
          put in an ad for your product if we
          print another version in 2012.




Friday, 17 June 2011
TRADE OR CONSUMER SHOWS

         If you would like to join us for any of the
            trade or consumer shows where we exhibit,
            just send me an email and I will tell you what
            is coming up. We’d love to have you join us!




Friday, 17 June 2011
TRADE/CONSUMER SHOWS               WITH   TAT-LA

         ASTA Retail Travel Show – Las Vegas, September
         Luxury Travel Expo – Las Vegas, December
         LA Adventure Show – Los Angeles, January 2012
         LA Times Show – Los Angeles, January 2012




Friday, 17 June 2011
QUESTIONS????




Friday, 17 June 2011
THANK YOU


     I am in the Los Angeles Office. Email me at

                              peggy@tat-la.com
     if you have any questions or want to give us any information that we can pass
     along on your behalf.




Friday, 17 June 2011

“ทำตลาดเชิงรุก บุกตลาดกับ ททท.”

  • 1.
    MARKETING TO THE AMERICAN CONSUMER Peggy Peterka Tourism Authority of Thailand Los Angeles Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 2.
    LET’S LOOK ATTHE NUMBERS… Population 310 Million # of Passports 114 Million  That’s less than 37% of the total population # Overseas pax 2009 30 Million  Asia gets less than 20% (600,000 pax) or 2% of the entire population Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 3.
    STILL LOOKING ATTHE NUMBERS…  Average Income of American Family 2005 $ 46,000 per year  Average Household Income of those Traveling Overseas $109,000 per year Approximately 16% of the US population has a household income of $109,000 or over. Statistics from Intl Trade Administration, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries , and Wikipedia Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 4.
    WHY DO AMERICANSTRAVEL #1 reason: Seeking authentic experiences in new destinations Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 5.
    EMERGING TRAVEL TRENDS…. #1 trend: Family and Multi-Generational Travel Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 6.
    FACTORS CONSIDERED…. #1 The Destination Is it Safe? Is there Value for $ Spent? Will I learn something? Will I enrich my life by going? Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 7.
    WHAT ARE THETOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR TRAVEL DECISIONS? Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 8.
    1. Travel Consultants/RetailAgents 84.5% 2. Friends and Family 74.4% 3. Travel Publications 34.3% 4. Travel Websites 28.0% 5. Travel Programs on TV 15.0% 6. Direct Mail Travel Offers 10.1% 7. Email Travel Offers 10.6% 8. Lifestyle Publications 9.7% 9. Social Networking Sites 7.7% 10. Print Advertisements 3.4% Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 9.
    WHO IS TRAVELING? Boomers (Age group 46-65) This is a huge market--78 million, and growing by 10,000 per day in 2011. These people have the time, money and thirst for TRAVEL. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 10.
    Generation X andY (age group 25-55) 1. These people are mostly busy working and building families and careers. 2. They have limited time (max. 2 weeks per year) and limited money (got that mortgage, saving for college for the children, etc.) to travel. 3. When they do travel, they want value for $ spent, they want unique and authentic experiences. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 11.
    MORE REASONS TOTRAVEL…. Life enrichment Education Visit Family and Friends + have a vacation Special Interest: Golf, Medical, Honeymoon Voluntourism – Give Back to Society Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 12.
    LET’S TAKE ACLOSER LOOK AT THOSE REASONS TO TRAVEL….. Visit Family and Friends + have a vacation We call this, “Visit Thailand on Your Way” The Asian population is huge in the US. Most of them want to go “home” to visit friends and relatives. We suggest they also have a vacation in Thailand on their way to their home country. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 13.
    We reach thismarket by: • Joint promotions with other Asian NTO’s and Airlines • Joint promotions with US Wholesalers who specialize in the Asian ethnic markets with advertising in Asian papers and tv • Participation in trade fairs and cultural festivals with special packages to other Asian destinations with stopovers or add-ons to Thailand Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 14.
    Voluntourism – Giveback to society Ecological – Leave a smaller footprint Did you know that 98% of people polled consider themselves to be ecology-minded. They want to travel and see the world, but not leave a big footprint that might harm the natural surroundings for future visitors. If your product is ecological or supports volunteering— talk about it in your marketing messages. It is Important! Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 15.
    HONEYMOON & WEDDING  The Honeymoon and Wedding market is huge, and somewhat resistant to economical problems.  This is a quality market. It is a once in a lifetime trip and they want what they want regardless (to a certain degree) of cost. To get to this market, we plan to: •Advertise in bridal websites such as The Knot, Travel Concierge and Bridal Guide.com •Online niche training for Weddings and honeymoons •Participate in consumer bridal shows in L.A. and Seattle Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 16.
    GOLF • Yes, there are plenty of wonderful golf courses in America, BUT the amazing courses in Thailand, coupled with the amazing Thai Hospitality on the golf courses, may just give that potential traveler the extra push he needs to choose Thailand! • Or it may give that non-golfer the final enticement to their traveling partner, who is an avid golfer to choose Thailand! • Either way, they end up in Thailand and again, this is a quality market. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 17.
    This is agroup that is particularly reactive to suggestions from Golf Pros or Friends and Family, so our Target to get to this market is…. • Participation at Conferences and Shows for Golfers such as IAGTO and PGA meetings • Encourage third party accounts in golf media • Work with US Tour Operators to add some golfing to their packages • Co-op with agents that specialize in Golf travel Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 18.
    Medical Tourism Health and Wellness has always been a good market for Thailand….but the exorbitant cost of healthcare in the US is now making Thailand a good choice for more serious medical treatments too. A great deal of press has been given to Thailand’s top-quality medical facilities and practitioners. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 19.
    To penetrate thisquality market, TAT-LA will • Have a booth at the World Medical Tourism Conference • Joint advertisements with Medical Facilitators in health magazines, newspapers and on-line • Make presentations with Thai Doctors in the US to educate consumers on the caliber and cost of medical treatment available in Thailand Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 20.
    SPECIAL INTEREST: GOLF, MEDICAL, HONEYMOON These are all important niche markets, that require very specific marketing. If you want to promote to any of these specific markets, let me know. I will be happy to let you know what we are doing and advise if there are areas where you might join us. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 21.
    SO, WHAT AREYOU SELLING? Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 22.
    Are you sellingnecessary creature comforts? Such as Housing, Transportation, Healthcare? NO Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 23.
    YOU ARE SELLINGMEMORIES! Unique and authentic experiences that will supply us with wonderful memories for the rest of our lives. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 24.
    WHAT DOES THAILANDOFFER? Value for $$$ spent This is incredibly important…Yes it is expensive to GET to Thailand BUT once they are here, the value for $$$ spent is the best travel bargain available today! For instance, you can have a 10 day trip to Thailand from the US for about the same overall price as a comparable trip to Hawaii! Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 25.
  • 26.
    Inspiring Temples andGardens Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 27.
     Accommodations beyondour wildest fantasy. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 28.
    My personal favorite-- ELEPHANTS Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 29.
    BUT, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU HAVE TO OFFER IS… YOU, your amazing Thai Hospitality! This is what seals in that memory that we will carry with us and joyfully share with friends for the rest of our lives! Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 30.
    IS PRICE IMPORTANT? Yes, of course, travelers--now more than ever--want good value for the $ spent. But, they are willing to pay a reasonable amount to get the EXPERIENCE they want. Promote your product on the EXPERIENCE it will provide. Promote your product on the AUTHENTICITY of it. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 31.
    ANY MARKETING EFFORTSHELP, But, you want to get to the people that will be interested in your product. You want to spend your marketing $$ in a manner that provides the best ROI. With a limited marketing budget, the shotgun approach may not be the best. You have to target your messages. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 32.
    TAT-LA OPPORTUNITIES… We have our specialist program called “Golden Agents” with over 4000 members. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 33.
    Send us informationabout your product, or any specials you have for our Golden Agents to sell to their clients. Also send us any special discounts you may offer to our Golden Agents if they Visit the website at www.travelagentacademy.com Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 34.
    MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTER  Send us any news/specials about your product. We will try to get it in the next e-newsletter, space permitting.  Remember, to be effective, we need lots of lead time to promote any specials or discounts you may offer. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 35.
    SALES PLANNER We print a special Sales Planner each year in the fall. You can promote your product in that Sales Planner which goes to travel agents, media and consumers. Of course, for this there is a cost, But even a small ad gets exposure for you to people that are definitely interested in travel. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 36.
    DESTINATION GUIDE This will be published in October of this year. You can put in a small ad here and be certain you are reaching those interested in traveling, especially to Thailand. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 37.
    GLOBAL TRAVELER SUPPLEMENT  This was printed earlier this year.  Let me know if you would like to put in an ad for your product if we print another version in 2012. Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 38.
    TRADE OR CONSUMERSHOWS If you would like to join us for any of the trade or consumer shows where we exhibit, just send me an email and I will tell you what is coming up. We’d love to have you join us! Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 39.
    TRADE/CONSUMER SHOWS WITH TAT-LA ASTA Retail Travel Show – Las Vegas, September Luxury Travel Expo – Las Vegas, December LA Adventure Show – Los Angeles, January 2012 LA Times Show – Los Angeles, January 2012 Friday, 17 June 2011
  • 40.
  • 41.
    THANK YOU I am in the Los Angeles Office. Email me at peggy@tat-la.com if you have any questions or want to give us any information that we can pass along on your behalf. Friday, 17 June 2011