One thing is sure. Travellers are looking for ever more immersive experiences, and agencies and tour operators depend on DMCs to provide direct contact with local communities as well as exclusive access to products.
The DMCs’ role has evolved significantly, and today, even in Italy, one of their key missions is to help craft that sought-after Wow effect. Like a dinner with Andrea Bocelli's family before a performance, a cooking class at home with an Italian grandmother, or a football match with kids in a small town.
The Wow effect means something different for everyone, so you need to know what the destination offers, and what you need to have to make it work. Travel consultants are increasingly turning to DMC's for their regional contacts and the customer support they can provide. Agents working with DMCs tend to be loyal and know that what they really need, more than knowledge of the destination, is a clear understanding of the client's needs. And they need to make sure they can create those experiences their clients will appreciate.
“You get results based on how hard you work on every detail,- says Andrea Grisdale, CEO and founder of IC Bellagio, as quoted in TravelWeekly. -DMC's cannot do a good job if a travel consultant does not take the time to give them a complete picture of their clients. What a Wow effect is for you, may not be the same for me. It must be customized for each client.”
Isabella Cattoni
Journalist
