Despite what we may think, we do not know it all. But despite what some of our kids think, we do know a little. So, let’s meet in the middle. How many times have you been working with a client, and they were interested in some specifics of a destination that were just beyond your pay grade? You know the destination well, but sometimes the minutiae flies under your radar. What do you do? Read on; I may have a solution.
Can we all agree that local knowledge is the best knowledge? I live in Annapolis, MD, and I can tell you the best place to get crabcakes in the area, and it is not the place that every guidebook will recommend, nor is it the top listing on Yelp.
Heygo.com is a new website with a strong potential to help you. Disclaimer: I have played around with it extensively; the current library is limited, but I see the potential. There are likely features I missed, and like most things, the way you use it will differ from my use!
In the simplest terms, Heygo is a network of boots on the ground that provide online, guided tours or inside information about a particular destination. They are produced live and enable “tourists” to interact with others and the guide via a chat feature. The tour guide is paid via optional gratuities. And for the user, at this point, there is no charge.
While I have not used it for any specific clients, I can see several different uses:
- A client is not sure of a destination, refer them to Heygo to explore a bit
- Continuing education for travel professionals to dive deep into a destination
- Research for FIT trips
- Establishing personal contacts on the ground in the destination
- Establishing yourself as the expert if your hometown
There are a few negatives I can see right now as well:
- The tours do not appear to be archived. Hopefully this will happen and allow them to build a true library—even on a subscription model.
- Tour guides and tours are limited. This will change as the model grows and more sign on to be guides. This could be a lucrative side-hustle.
- Most tours appear to be video, or computer based. I also suspect that as more tech-capable people become involved, you will see more true live options at specific locations using streaming etc.
Thoughts? Drop a comment!
