In this week’s Smart Talking we chat to Gary Brown, Manager of Student Tours Scotland.
Hi Gary, welcome to Smart Talking. Please tell us more about Student Tours Scotland and what the company does.
Gary: Student Tours Scotland is a tour company based out of Glasgow aimed at the student market. We offer a range of day trips around Scotland at good value prices. Our trips offer a different experience to clients. We pepper our trips with additional extras as well to keep engagement strong throughout the process.
Where do your tours depart from and how can your customers book them?
Gary: Our tours depart from Glasgow City Centre and return to the same place. At the moment customers can book through our Facebook page via our bookings page on EventBrite. Once the website is up and running later this month it should be all far more streamlined.
In your opinion, what do students want from a day or a multi-day tour in Scotland?
Gary: Students want more choice and freedom on their trips. The spoon-fed approach only goes so far with students. They also want to see more of the country that isn’t necessarily on the tourism agenda. They are here for much longer than the average tourist so they tend to do all the main attractions themselves. Of course they are very price-focused so it is essential that they get value for money as well.
How important is customer feedback in shaping your tour products and activity?
Gary: Feedback is the single most important part of the entire journey. If a client isn’t enjoying something then it is important that we get this information so we can adapt and change what we do. Our trips will never be exactly the same from one day to the next. This is where social media plays such an important role. It gives a great opportunity for engagement post-trip as well as during and before.
The current economic climate is particularly challenging for businesses, not least for the Scottish tourism industry – how is your business coping with that – any positives coming out of the experience and any advice for others?
Gary: The climate is difficult right now but students always face the same problems. They are always here for a short period of time and they usually always want to see as much of Scotland as possible. I’m lucky to be working with some great suppliers and institutions that all understand this. Keeping prices as low as possible is key and ensuring that where we can, we offer as much extra content, stories, games or interactions. With all this in mind it allows for a more interesting approach to the challenge of starting a business in this climate.
Do social media and digital technology have a place in your business?
Gary: As I said above social media is key in our feedback process, It’s also essential in our day to day running. At present our website is not live, therefore social media is our main way of reaching out to clients. Our Facebook page is where it essentially all comes together and where the most interaction is.
However we are also very active on Twitter, and perhaps, most fun for me, on YouTube as well. Our YouTube page showcases short, sharp amateur video clips from around Glasgow and Scotland to highlight hidden places or interesting monuments. This has already attracted quite a lot of interest. In terms of other technologies our booking system is through Event Brite which gives a more flexible and familiar approach to our clients as well.
What are Student Tours Scotland up to at the moment? Any news you would like to share with us?
Gary: We are still in the early stages but we did announce three trips this week which we will be running before Christmas this year. These are to Oban; St. Andrews and Loch Lomond. Three of my favourite trips so I am very excited about getting these off the ground. I’m working hard as well on getting the 2012 official launch ready and to ensure we have a much more active programme of events.
Many thanks for Smart Talking with us, Gary. All the best with the new tours!
For more information on Student Tours Scotland visit them on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube or make a booking via Facebook.
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