As you might have seen in our NEWS section we are 10 years in business this week, time has honestly flown! So you are probably wondering what has changed in the business in the last 10 years so here is a few thoughts (random as usual!)
1) Our customers we had a fairly predictable clientel when we started being mostly visitors from the US,England and Ireland but we really do now get a whole range of nationalities now which makes for an interesting and increasingly challenging life! Due to us not having as many English speakers on board we do sometimes miss the hilarious banter and fun of our early days but having said that some of our new visitors do have a good sense of humour! – a good laugh can break many international barriers!
2) Our vehicles have changed of course although I am determined to get our first coach BERTIE out of retirement since our trade bodies are telling us that vehicles over 5 years old should be retired from tourism work I will launch a 33 year old one and believe me he will still do a good days work in comfort (other than a bit of a bouncy ride!) but our current fleet really is a revelation in terms of comfort and reliability – I never like to boast about such things but 2 breakdowns in 10 years is not too bad and I honestly don’t believe such standards of reliability are achievable with brand new vehicles!
3) Seasons have changed – no, not climate change, but we are finding our peak is becoming shorter and the traditional “shoulder” season is becoming more challenging – our loadings are currently well down for a number of reasons, so we are going to react swiftly as we always do and go on Holidays! (only kidding!!) but we are going to expand our NICETOURS.BIZ side of the business to give more custom tours and imaginative itineraries – look out for a Murder mystery weekend soon!
4) We have changed personally in that we have grown in confidence and I hope, ability – its hard to believe that the quiet shy florist that I met 15 years ago has turned into the confident and talented tour driver/guide that Christine has become (she never reads this!) I think we both underwent a personal change this winter when Christine’s brother – Michael passed away suddenly and now we are much calmer and speaking personally, delays on tours, the odd rude and unreasonable passenger, our beloved Road Safety Authority and all our other cares really do not bother me as we have realized more than ever that life is for living! Our inner selves I suppose have changed with our holidays to Thailand– it has been a revelation to see such dignified and serene people who really have little in life still managing to smile – a lesson for us all there I think!
We never tire of our business but I think after 10 years the amount of corruption and “back scratching” in our industry still irritates us as we feel we never get the help and promotion we deserve – if we were judged on the quality of our tours we think we would be millionaires!
So I hope you enjoyed my ramblings this week and maybe next week might be a good time for another installment in our history unless of course, something more topical comes up!
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