A few years ago in one of these endless discussions on the future of diving, one of the old timers said he longed for the good old days when he was lugging tanks on the backs of mules through a jungle to get to the dive site. He was happy then, and he would be happy if it were that way in the future.
There's a lot of 'meat' in that paragraph. I wonder just what it is that appealed to the old timer about that, considering that he could probably dive the same places today, and do it the same way if so inclined (assuming you can rent a mule?).
1.) Is it because he was 'getting to do something special?' Engaging an experience hardly anyone else got to do?
2.) Is it because it was remote and difficult and most people wouldn't know of it, or wouldn't be willing to persevere through the hardships to get there? In which case perhaps going on such a trip validated him as a person, a man, an adventurer, etc
Some people like their adventure with a sense of daring and exclusivity.
3.) Is it the potential risk? Being far from hospitals and roads, having to be 'self-sufficient,' that sort of thing? Again, a self-validation issue?
This is an interesting angle. In terms of the psychology of the customer base one might market to, some questions come up...
1.) What do you think 'being a diver' says about a person?
2.) What do you believe being a diver says about
you?
3.) How do you believe you are different, being a diver, than you would be if you had never gotten into diving?
Perhaps if you could target your marketing pitch whatever that quality is?
Richard.
