Travel Industry Concept: Gamer Vacation Packages

Hello All,

Gamers, as a demographic group of consumers globally probably spend at least tens of billions of dollars US. (conservative estimate on my part) Now when was the last time you've ever heard of a "Travel Agency" catering travel itineraries towards that of gamers of any age group? To my knowledge Zilch, Zip, Nada.

This concept is to spark the profit motives of travel agencies to get into gear in regards to vacation packages for gamers.

Down below I'm going to remark about three potential outlets that travel agencies can market gamer vacation packages.

1) Taking tour groups of gamers to a convention that is being held to either the general public. Or get this, access special permission where only industry professionals can attend IE "E3". And take a tour operator group of traveling gamers into the convention under some supervision.

Gamer convention destinations can be the common: Comic-Con, DragonCon, Quake Con, SOE (Sony Online Entertainment) Fan Faire, and Blizzards "World of Warcraft" Faire,. The professional industry conventions as I mentioned earlier "Electronic Entertainment Expo aka E3, GDC (Game Developer Conference), CES (Consumer Electronics Show), or an event at the Academy of Arts & Sciences. These later conventions are for the gamer that cares to really geek out on the game industry. In terms of workshops, lectures, summits, all to learn more technically about how games are made.

2) The second variant a tour operator could take with gamers is hosting exclusive LAN (Land Area Networks) akin to a tournament. Let's say an area of California is seeking to boost tourism. While besides catering to business conventions, or run of the mill tourists, they can also host exclusive well marketed "Gamer Tournaments". Or sponsor an existing famous convention slash tournament like that of "Quake Con". Where the gamer tourist can be loaned a preference to a basic computer rig for gaming or a souped up machine for a LAN event. Including a goody bag designed and provided to the tourist by the travel operator as a souvenir thank you gift for attending. Inside can be a run of the mill items from the sponsors of the LAN event. Much like how celebrities get goody bags at gala events. All admittance fee's, standard meals, and non-alcoholic beverages would be covered by the tour operator for the gamer tourist.

3) This last type of a gamer tourist is more destination driven in terms of the classic tourist. But themed for the gamer overall. Many tour operators take their tour groups to particular shops. Where the tour operator has mostly prearranged volume sales commissions with the shop owners. This can still be the case but with gamers and perhaps arrange discounts on purchases that can be found no where else for the gamer consumer. (since their commissions will be based on volume sales)

There can be tour groups also taken into a "Game Developer Studios or a Game Publisher's Premises". Where current games in development would be showcased. The tour operator can provide game developer or game title specific merchandising gifts to the attendants of the tour. Like T-Shirts, Baseball caps, Hoodies, etc... If a tour group at such a game developer or game publisher visits during a beta period of a particular game title. The gamer tourist can snag themselves an exclusive beta key invitation. Much like many do today when attending a game developer booth at a convention.

A gamer tourist can be shown the sites of popular cities just like the classic tourist. But also taken as a group to local franchised locations, such as: Game Works, Dave & Busters, Chucky Cheese (if kids are brought along), or Disney Quest. (if in Orlando FL.) Where again admittance fee's, standard meals, non-alcoholic beverages, and complimentary tokens are all covered by the tour operator. (additional tokens are at cost for the tourist) If such a location isn't desirable than a local gamer Internet Cafe with complimentary time is offered to the tourist. (anything above that is at cost for the tourist)

The destination travel sites like Florida or California would be great for guild or clan get together. Where many gamers are flying into one common location to meet for the first time and have a blast.

Those tour operators that host their own exclusive LAN events with corporate sponsorships. Could also host Augmented Reality treasure hunts provided by the sponsors. Similar to an "Easter Egg Hunt" but using portable gadgets. Supplied either by the tour operator or the sponsors as a loaner for the event.

I'm sure other potential activities could be devised by a tour operator catering to gamers. Be it power leveling, or "How To's" for a particular MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) game title held as a workshop. Right along a gamer tourist attending a Blizzard or SOE annual convention. The only restriction is how enterprising can a travel agency be in marketing such vacation packages to gamers. I haven't even mentioned anything about cruise ships holding similar events just for gamers.

The sky is the limit for the tour operator. For the gamer tourist many splendid lifetime memories will certainly be created and cherished throughout the years to come.