Key Insights from the Interview with Roberto Bermúdez, Head of Juniper Experiences by NexusTours, at Phocuswright
In a recent interview with Phocuswire, Roberto Bermúdez, Head of Juniper Experiences by NexusTours, shared his vision for the future of travel planning, highlighting how technology is transforming the way tourists select and book their experiences. This conversation, held during the Phocuswright Europe 2024 convention, reveals emerging trends that could radically change how we understand tourism.
The revolution in activity booking
During the interview, Roberto explained that traditionally, travelers have followed a “natural order” in planning their trips: first choosing the flight and accommodation, then deciding what to do at the destination. However, he anticipates a change in this sequence. According to his comments, more and more tourists are beginning to prioritize booking experiences and activities before defining other aspects of their trip.
This shift will be driven by the implementation of a standardized star rating system for activities, similar to what is used in the hotel industry. Roberto mentioned that this system will provide travelers and tour operators with a clearer and more accurate way to assess the quality of available experiences.
A star rating system for activities
In his conversation, Roberto emphasized that the online activities market is still “quite fragmented and immature.” The creation of a specific star rating system for B2B platforms will enable travel agencies and other intermediaries to better tailor their products to meet the needs of their clients.
“We are working on a B2B marketplace that will allow us to establish standards in the activities market. This will help travel agencies offer more precise and tailored products to each client,” Roberto stated during the interview.
Improving user experience and reducing overtourism
Another important issue Roberto addressed is the saturation of similar activities in popular tourist destinations. This constant repetition of offerings can make it difficult for tourists to choose authentic and differentiated experiences. With the new star rating system, it is expected that travel agencies will be able to offer more varied and higher-quality options, allowing travelers to enjoy unique and memorable experiences.
Additionally, Roberto mentioned that this technology could help mitigate overtourism by better redistributing tourist flows and offering less-known but equally attractive alternatives.
The future of travel bookings
During the interview, Bermúdez also highlighted an emerging trend: the growing importance travelers are placing on activities and experiences at their destinations, even prioritizing them over accommodation or transportation. This new focus in travel planning offers both consumers and travel companies the opportunity to explore new forms of interaction and personalization in the booking process.
Roberto Bermúdez at Juniper Experiences by NexusTours is leading this transformation, working to establish a new industry standard that promises to revolutionize how we understand and book our travel experiences.
For more details on this interview, visit Hosteltur. If you want to discover how we are transforming the activities market, visit Juniper Experiences by NexusTours.
