An inspiring retail journey: A look behind the scenes
Imagine: an adventurous retail journey through Asian cities, filled with inspiration and new discoveries. For one of our clients, this isn't a dream, but a reality. Annually, one of our partners organises an unforgettable retail trip abroad, and last year was no exception. Let me take you behind the scenes of this exciting journey to Taipei, Seoul, Hiroshima, and Tokyo.
From vision to realisation of a retail journey
It begins with a vision, the choice of destinations, and close collaboration between our team and the client's organisers. Prior to the trip, they undertake an inspection visit themselves to ensure every experience is perfectly tailored to the participants' expectations.
After months of planning and preparation, participants are invited to register via our digital registration tool. Here, everyone can indicate their preferences, ranging from travel class to travel companions and any additional duration of stay at the destinations. Everything is tailor-made, which means almost anything is possible.
Overcoming challenges: the power of flexibility
Organising a trip with such an ambitious itinerary naturally comes with its own challenges. From booking flights and accommodation to planning various modes of transport between cities, every detail needs to be carefully considered. For example, there was even a tense moment with the JR Beetle Ferry, which operates between South Korea and Japan, whose timetable was only announced late. Fortunately, everything went according to plan, and we were able to continue our travel itinerary as planned.
We did face a challenge regarding the outbound flight from Amsterdam to Taipei when the airline adjusted the flight schedule. This meant that the entire group either had to depart a day earlier or a day later. As a later departure date was not an option due to the tight schedule, we opted to add an extra travel day. Naturally, this resulted in the necessary adjustments to the itinerary and extra communication with the participants. But as always, we didn't shy away from this challenge! In hindsight, the extra travel day also proved to be beneficial for the time we spent on the ground at all destinations. It was a case of finding a silver lining.
Boundless efforts
The weeks leading up to the trip were filled with daily communication with suppliers in different countries, requiring us to switch between various time zones, cultures, and languages. Our workday was just beginning, at the same time that offices on the other side of the world were closing. A challenging but captivating experience that organising such a complex retail trip entails.
But all the hard work eventually paid off. On site, participants were immersed in unforgettable experiences and returned with a wealth of inspiration. With a local tour guide and the goMICE team on hand throughout the trip for questions and any developments, everything went according to plan. The positive feedback from the participants was the icing on the cake and we are already looking forward to the next retail trip!
This retail journey was not just a trip; it was a journey filled with adventure, inspiration, and teamwork. A journey that shows what's possible when a driven team joins forces to create something extraordinary. And that is the true secret behind the success of this unforgettable experience. Would you like to experience this too? Then be sure to contact one of our project managers! They are happy to help you create a trip that perfectly matches your wishes.
Read also This blog about their previous retail trip to business America.