Real tourism a disruptive innovation

New initiative uses OTA margins to sell cut price local Italy offers

The ever-lengthening tourism distribution chain takes a massive chunk of travellers money and their value to chosen destination hotels or B&B before they even get there says TotemTourism

This is a massive challenge to small-scale tourism but it could be turned into  a major advantage.

Of course the computer reservations systems (like online travel supermarkets and OTAs) provide great value to customers. The prices they pay for hotel beds or restaurant seats are incredibly low ­ but the amount the supplier gets is much, much lower ­ often up to 25% lower.

TotemTourism estimates that these booking fees amount to around $100billion a year. No problem for the massive commodity hotel chains…

But it means that small owner-run establishments, the heart and soul of the destinations, are taking a really big hit.

A new initiative plans to use this to the advantage of tourists and small-scale establishments alike.

REAL tourism has been created by consultancy TotemTourism to skip the intermediaries and provide low prices to tourists whilst keeping accommodation owners in the marketing loop.

How? Says TotemTourism "Clients get a REAL holiday experience and hosts get a better deal."

"It’s simple, we work directly with local host organizations to get travellers a fantastic, really authentic local experience. Clients book their transport to the destination ­ and they’ll take care of everything from then on in ­ even to the extent of meeting them at their arrival point."

"The beauty is that not only do visitors get a fabulous local experience, but they pay less too. What could be better?"

"In this way REAL tourism both Maximises the visitor experience… and maximises benefits to the destination community…"

Current offers are to what TotemTourism describes as "An iconic quirky destination with everything!" – the Romagna region of Italy, enquiries are welcomed from direct clients, agents and niche operators. Details HERE

Valere Tjolle

SUSTAINABLE/REAL TOURISM INFORMATION & OFFERS HERE