Need help in coming up with good specials!!!

[dvrliz1]

Hi All,

Well as you all know we pride ourselves in paying attention to our customers, so I have to pose a question to the diving community.

I am thinking of introducing custom or specialized diving packages and trips.

Right now I am looking at doing something for spring/summer of 2009. I've come up with some ideas, but would like to hear what YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED IN.

With the economy the way it is I want to do it as economical as possible.

I already know that I want to do a "ladies week". I was thinking of something like over 50 divers week, newbie divers week, etc.

Any suggestions that you all could give me would be helpful.

Thanks.

Liz

 

[NWDiverBob]

My wife and I are researching a warm water dive vacation for that time frame. It would just be the two of us. We will be looking for the most "bang for the buck". The key is that we have to have jobs! If this economy keeps going the way that it is, we will be both looking for work that will not exist. Bob

 

[dvrliz1]

We know how tough it is in the States!!! My son works for a major airline and is always under the "cloud" of "will I have a job next month or not???". He also went from flying about 30 hours or more over the minimum they pay for, and for the last 2 months hasn't even flow half the minimum, but gets paid the minimum. The problem with that is that they have to be on reserve, so they have to be available and cannot get a 2nd job (as if there were any out there) to get back to his normal monthly income.

We can offer our packages during high season at low season prices (high season ends 15 April) and for low season, we are thinking of coming down to $599.00 per person for a stay, dive and drive package.

We know that people want, and in many cases NEED to go on vacation, especially during these difficult times. We just want to make it as easy and economical as possible, without strangling ourselves.

Liz

 

[NWDiverBob]

I work in the same industry! It is very tough right now, seniority is extremely important. Don't even get me started on "outsourcing"!! A year ago, we would have made reservations and paid for flights and room 6 months in advance. Not a chance that I would do that now. I know that this is making it very difficult on your business as well. Bonaire is on our short list for a dive vacation. A friend of ours has stayed at your resort and has great things to say about it! The $599 price sounds like it is a great deal! Maybe someday we will be able to make it down. Take care, Bob

 

[farsidefan1]

just try to take care of those of us already on the way ,
See you in February, Jay

 

[dvrliz1]

Jay...

You know we do!!!! See you soon!

Liz

 

[seaducer]

How about a Returning Diver week? Or even a frequent guest card, like stay 5 nights or more, 5 times and get some kind of deal. Or a Refferal progam? I keep telling people to call you, but I don't know if they have yet. Could you work with the airlines to find a way to get better deals on airfare and book a package that way?

But to be honest you guys are already the best value on an island that is consistently ranked best value in the Caribbean, so I am not sure what else you can do?

 

[DeputyDan]

I have thought about this and honestly - just how much can you reduce revenues and still cover costs.

Some folks can jump on an "if you go in the next two weeks special" but most of us can't. Because of my work schedule, my calendar if 3/4 full through May 2010 and that's just the way it is!

I would suggest a loyalty program. The sixth stay is 1/2 price or something to that effect.

An alternative is - the sixth - or eighth - or tenth person in a group is free.

Having breakfast included in nice but more so for convenience than price.

Just my two cents

 

[muzicgirl]

A newlywed package! heehee

 

[muzicgirl]

And by that I mean lunch or dinner on the beach or some romantic specials...how fun would it be to tie the knot under water!