What Niche is best to Start with for Niche Marketing?

Niche marketing opportunities in the online accommodation sector

• We would like to do research into niche, online, accommodation operators that provide services similar to Lastminute.com, RatesToGo.com, Expedia.com etc but in niche markets. These operators can be from around the world, but we are particularly interested in North America and Europe. The objective of this research is to identify potential niche ideas that online, accommodation operators could use. Online, accommodation operators appeal to both SMEs and leisure travellers in general. A niche for such operators might be SMEs that are involved in agriculture (so you might find sites that are specialists in rural hotels in major agricultural areas) or another example may be business people anywhere in the world that deal with China etc. We would like you to provide details of online accommodation companies that specialise in niche markets. A niche market may be for example: organised running/cycling events, golf, seniors or the gay market. More specifically a niche may be people that are visiting relatives in hospital or outpatients or people who need accommodation around an academic institution or courts/court houses etc. Other examples may be the PA/Secretary market (so you might find sites that are designed to provide accommodation solutions to PA?s), or the serviced long-stay apartments area, or perhaps the inbound accommodation market to Australia from North America, Europe or Asia. Even a niche for delayed flights etc might be appropriate. In the UK a niche may be accommodation solutions for National Trust/English Heritage Members etc. Research output we would like from you is examples of successful niche, online accommodation sites, links to those sites, any additional information you might find as to how the site was developed and how the niche was selected, the growth rate of the site would be important information along with the number of user sessions and visitors etc if available.

• Answer:

  Hello nichemarkets-ga, This has been a fun and interesting research project. It seems there are lots of niche markets in the travel and hospitality industry. I?ve collected examples of several of your categories plus additional ones that I came across. I believe that additional ones might be available if you gave clearer directions on what segments of travel are particularly interesting to you. In this research project I concentrated on giving you a broad sampling following your suggested guidelines. Each of the categories could be explored in greater depth. If you are interested in such deeper research, I suggest that you post additional questions naming the particular travel segment. In addition to the specific categories/niches I?ve also included a selection of travel/hospitality industry hub sites that are particularly helpful in exploring niche markets. Please don?t hesitate to ask for clarification if any of this is confusing. Wishing you well for your projects. ~ czh ~ =========================================== RURAL ACCOMMODATIONS, AGROTOURISM, FARMSTAY =========================================== http://www.farmstayuk.co.uk/next/uk/index.html Farm Stay UK The largest network of farm based accommodation in the UK. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.farmstay.co.za/ Farmstay.co.za South African farmers and rural communities proudly present this fully electronic gateway to agricultural and ecotourism in South Africa. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.sol.com/en/modulo.asp?IdProvincia=14&IdTipoAloj=10 Lodging - Rural Housing en CÓRDOBA ------------------------------------------------- http://miradorcortegana.naturaltravel.net/elmirador1e.htm El Mirador de Cortegana Charming Rural Accomodations http://miradorcortegana.naturaltravel.net/linkse.htm Search Engines for Rural Accomodations: www.andarines.com www.portalnatur.com www.guiarural.com www.allrural.com www.eurocompass.com www.turismoruralyaventura.com ------------------------------------------------- http://spain.antiquanatura.com/publico/listado.aspx?IDP=1&ID=PV11&P=3 Agrotourism, rural hotels, farmhouse rental, B&B, charming places to stay, ecotourism and green tourism in Spain and Portugal ------------------------------------------------- http://www.nzhomestay.co.nz/ New Zealand Homestays and Farmstays Home hospitality began in UK and Europe (often commercially termed Bed & Breakfast) and was usually a room in someone?s home where guests were treated courteously and generously. The concept of home accommodation has travelled the world, becoming increasingly popular and universally acceptable. In New Zealand home hosting has developed further into the commercial forms of Farmstay, Homestay, Countrystay and Citystay, where the availability of meals and possible tourist entertainment is also offered. The traditions begun in Europe have been expanded by our national characteristic of friendliness and generously coupled with the normal rural activities so prevalent in our country. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.australianhomestay.com/ http://www.australianfarmstay.com/ Friendly Connections Ltd. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.bedandbreakfast.org.au/links.html Australian B&B and Farmstay Accommodations Industry, Tourism and Travel Links ------------------------------------------------- http://www.bigvolcano.com.au/database/farmstay.htm Farmstays, Host Farms and Ranches You'll find a great variety of farm stay and ranch style lodgings in the Northern Rivers region from Byron Bay to the Gold Coast hinterland, including sugar cane and cattle farms, horse riding and agistment ranches, orchards and plantations. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.ballarat.com/farmstay.htm Ballarat Accommodation & Tourism Directory ------------------------------------------------- http://www.agrotourism.com.cy/ Agrotourism in Cyprus ------------------------------------------------- http://www.yourcyprus.com/agrotourism/ Cyprus Agrotourism ------------------------------------------------- http://www.ruraltourisminternational.org http://www.ruraltourisminternational.org/RT_training_in_EU.php Rural Tourism International Rural Tourism International - Training Network (RTI-TN) is an association of trainers and training organizations in rural tourism. It is established in order to continue the work of the Leonardo Project ?Hospitality in Rural Tourism". In almost every European country there is one organization that represents RTI-TN. ***** Click on each country in the map to access rural tourism resources for each. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.agriturismo.pg.it/ Agriturismo in Umbria ------------------------------------------------- http://www.hobotraveler.com/agrotourism.php Agro-Tourism Agro and Eco Tourism are closely related. Agro Tourism is when a native person or local of the area offers tours to their Agriculture project to allow a person to view them growing, harvesting, and processing locally grown foods, such as coconuts, pineapple, sugar cane, corn, or any produce the person would not encounter in their home country. Often the farmers would provide a home-stay opportunity and education. The essential benefit is for the local people, not tour operators or hotels. ***** This site provides dozens of links to worldwide agrotourism sites. ------------------------------------------------- ://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&lr=&q=agrotourism+ Search for < agrotourism > ------------------------------------------------- http://www.agrisport.com/anglais.htm Agrisport & Agritourism The portal to worldwide Guest Farmhouses & AgriTourism ======================== BUSINESS TRAVEL TO CHINA ======================== http://www.chinatour.com/business/business.htm Business Travel Service ------------------------------------------------- http://www.china-inc.com/yamei/yamei.htm Yamei Travel, Beijing, China We cater to both group and individual travellers, Whether you want to convene a major conference, or just to stay in Beijing, or Shanghai overnight on your hurried business trip, when you need assistance, we are always there. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.cbw.com/travel.html Chinese Business World ------------------------------------------------- http://www.china-window.com/china_directory/chinatravel.shtml China Travel ============================================= TRAVEL FOR SPORTS, SPORTING EVENTS, ADVENTURE ============================================= http://www.travelhub.com/travel_agencies/sports_category/ Specialized Sports travel agencies ------------------------------------------------- http://www.intraporta.com/pgs/adventure.shtml Adventure Travel ***** Scroll down the page to Worldwide Specialty/Adventure Activities, Theme Travel Topics and browse through the dozens of links for specialized sports and adventure oriented travel resources. ------------------------------------------------- ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=farmstay Search for < farmstay > ***** Search results show dozens of additional farmstay accommodation resources. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.base-camp.com/camp1/index.html Basecamp International This is Basecamp 1: Where you begin to plan your wildest travel and adventure dreams or activate all those ideas you talked about for so long... but didn't know where to start. Now, it's time to get into life... Get into action... We divide this basecamp into 2 basic categories. -- SPECIALIZED TRAVEL & EXOTIC DESTINATIONS -- ACTIVITIES, SPORTS, & ADVENTURES ***** This site offers links to dozens of specialized sites. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.sportstravel.nl/en.php3 http://www.sportstravel.nl/raten.php3 Road Air Sports Travel Road Air Sports Travel is specialised in the organisation of trips to large international sport events ------------------------------------------------- http://www.tennistours.com/ Championship Tennis Tours Championship Tennis Tours since 1987 sells Tennis Tickets and Tennis Packages to the French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, Australian Open, Pacific Life Open and the Nasdaq 100 Open. Tennis Packages come with hotel accommodations, sightseeing, tennis tickets, on site hosts and more.We are an agency that specializes in hard to obtain tickets for the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, French Open and Australian Open. We also buy and sell tickets to Davis Cup events, NASDAQ-100 Open tickets, and Pacific Life Open. Whether its a pair of seats courtside or a group of 20 seats in the upper bowl, we would be happy to assist you in getting what you want. You will be able to access all the info you need pertaining to prices, schedules, and seating. ================== TRAVEL FOR SENIORS ================== http://www.50plusexpeditions.com/ Adventure Travel for People Over 50 Active, off-the-beaten-path, small group tours around the globe ------------------------------------------------- http://www.elderhostel.org/welcome/home.asp Elderhostel Elderhostel is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing extraordinary learning adventures for people 55 and over. From New Hampshire to New Zealand, South Africa to South Dakota, Elderhostel offers you a world of educational opportunities - at exceptional values. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.seniorstravelguide.com/ Seniors Travel Guide Directory ==================================== GAY AND LESBIAN TRAVEL ACCOMODATIONS ==================================== http://www.purpleroofs.com/ Purple Roofs Gay & Lesbian Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, Guesthouses, Hotels, Travel Agents, Tour Operators, & More ------------------------------------------------- http://www.chiff.com/travel/gay-lesbian.htm MAIN Travel Gay-Lesbian-Transgendered The world has opened its doors to the gay and lesbian community and there are plenty of places that will welcome you with open arms...and guides to what's going on in the local gay world. So, if you are out and want to get out and about to find fun, friends and things to do that will make for a relaxed vacation instead of heading into stress - check out the scene before you arrive to find the best gay, lesbian and alternative lifestyle friendly spots on the planet... ------------------------------------------------- http://www.gaycityusa.com/Accommodations.htm Gay & Lesbian Travel Accommodations ------------------------------------------------- http://www.alysonadventures.com/alyson.htm Alyson Adventures Alyson Adventures is the leader in creating adventure travel and active vacations for the gay community. And we give back, as well. ============================================================= MEDICAL TRAVEL/TOURISM AND PATIENT AND VISITOR ACCOMMODATIONS ============================================================= http://www.hospitalsoup.com/search_forhotels.asp Special Medical Discounts and the Lowest Rates for Hotels Check Rates, Availability at Leading Hotels by using the search form below. Alternatively, Click Here to search for a Hospital, then view the results to find hotels or lodging close to major medical facilities, clinics, or hospitals and clinics worldwide. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.medicaltourismindia.com/ Medical Tourism India ------------------------------------------------- http://www.medicaltourism.com/destinations.aspx Medical Tourism ? Destinations ------------------------------------------------- http://mediescapes.com/ Mediescapes India ------------------------------------------------- http://www.phuket-health-travel.com/index.htm PHUKET HEALTH & TRAVEL ------------------------------------------------- http://www.americanhospitals.com/questions/travel/lodging.htm AmericanHospitals.com online medical resources for international patients ------------------------------------------------- http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000390/4024122.search?query=medical+travel+or+tourism+ Medical Tourism Growing Worldwide ------------------------------------------------- http://www.phuket-health-travel.com/accommodation.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_tourism Medical tourism is a term that has risen from the rapid growth of an industry where people from all around the world are traveling to other countries to obtain medical, dental, and surgical care while at the same time touring, vacationing, and fully experiencing the attractions of the countries that they are visiting. ================ TRAVEL WITH PETS ================ http://www.dogfriendlydirectory.com/ Pet Friendly Hotels and Lodging DogFriendlyDirectory.com is a leading resource of free information to the hundreds of thousands of traveling pet-owners in the US and abroad looking for quality, pet-friendly accommodations. From families on vacation to business professionals, we cater to the travelers who enjoy bringing their pets with them. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.bringyourpet.com/index.htm Pet Friendly Lodging, Accommodations and Services As a leading resource of free information to the hundreds of thousands of traveling pet owners in the US and abroad looking for quality, pet friendly accommodations, BringYourPet.com caters to pet owners who enjoy bringing their pets with them. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.doggyholiday.com/ Doggy Holiday This web site provides a guide to many of the Australian and New Zealand holiday destinations which are dog friendly. Choose the places you would like to visit, then fax, email or phone the accommodation which sounds the best for you. Some places welcome cats, birds, horses ------------------------------------------------- http://whispy.com/pet-friendly-travel-vacations.html Pet Friendly Travel/Vacations ==================================== MEMBERSHIP AFFILIATE TRAVEL PROGRAMS ==================================== http://www.id90.com/What_is_ID90.COM.shtml ID90.COM ID90.COM offers airline employees and their families over 6,000 Interline travel discounts in 120 countries worldwide with all the brands you know and trust. Start saving on your next trip and enjoy the many benefits of becoming an ID90.COM Interline Member. ID90.COM is the online travel information portal for airline employees worldwide. We provide1,000's of global travel discounts. ID90.com markets directly to more than 10 million airline employees, their families, and their friends (Interliners)! ------------------------ http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_4th/Nov04_ID90WestCoast.html ID90.COM Helps Hotel Groups Establish Themselves Within the Travel Industry, Specifically with Airline Employees ====================================== TRAVEL ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THE DISABLED ====================================== http://www.geocities.com/Paris/1502/accessibleaccommodations.htm Accessible Accommodations ------------------------------------------------- http://goeurope.about.com/cs/accessible_travel/ Accessible Travel ------------------------------------------------- http://www.disabledapartments.com/ Disabled Accomodation Miami ------------------------------------------------- http://www.holidaycare.org.uk/about.asp Holiday Care Holiday Care is a national charity based at Croydon in south London and has been established for 22 years. We are supported by the UK?s national tourist boards, the travel industry and a number of well-known corporates, trusts and voluntary sector organisations. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.usatechguide.org/getsinglecompany.php?thecompanyid=1545&vmode=1 Accessible Vacation Home Exchange Free online accessible vacation home exchange for persons with extensive disabilities. Matches disabled persons who want to exchange homes during vacations. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.holidaylets.net/find/wheelchair-accessible/13 Wheelchair Accessible Holiday Rentals Wheelchair friendly holiday homes and vacation rentals throughout Europe and beyond. Chose from a selection of holiday rentals suitable for wheelchair access. Whether you are looking for a self catering cottage, villa, farmhouse or apartment, there should be something suited to your needs. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.accesstravelcenter.com/vac_rents.html Accessible Vacation Rentals Here you can find Wheelchair Accessible Vacation Rentals & Lodgings. Plus Condos - Luxury Villas - Private Homes - Townhouses - Chalets - Cabins - Cottages - Pet-Friendly Hotels. Remember, you really deserve a vacation, have some fun! ------------------------------------------------- http://www.gehandicapten.com/uk/ Wheelchair Accessible Holiday Homes ------------------------------------------------- http://www.toskana.net/tuscany/holidays_for_disabled.htm Holidays in Tuscany: Accessible Holidays ------------------------------------------------- http://www.holiday-rentals.com/index.cfm/tgt/inspiration_wheelchairHoliday-Rentals - Wheelchair accessible holiday homes Holiday-Rentals.com boasts thousands of holiday homes around the world which are accessible for wheelechairs. Follow the instructions below to find them. ------------------------------------------------- http://www.medicaltravel.org/ Medical Travel, Inc. The Disability Travel Experts ========================== HOTELS NEAR MILITARY BASES ========================== http://military-hotels.us/ Lodging near and on US Military Bases ========================================================= HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY ? PORTALS, DIRECTORIES, PUBLICATIONS ========================================================= http://www.travelmole.com/index.php TravelMole Ltd The Online Community for the Travel and Tourism Industry ------------------------------------------------- http://www.intraporta.com/pgs/aboutintraporta.shtml Welcome to IntraPorta: IntraPorta (INternational TRAvel PORtal) is intended to be the starting point for anyone seeking worldwide online travel information. ------------------------------------------------- http://adventure.discovery.com/xnet/search.tcl Travel Channel Trip Finder Search a Region, an Activity ------------------------------------------------- http://whispy.com/retreats-travel-resources.html Whispy -- The Cultural Creative Web DirectorY =============== SEARCH STRATEGY =============== niche online travel operators niche online travel OR tour operators "Rural accommodations OR housing" OR agrotourism OR farmstay "business travel" china specialized OR niche travel sports OR "sporting events" OR adventure gay lesbian travel accommodations OR hotels OR resorts medical OR "patient visitor" accommodations OR hotels "medical travel" accommodations OR hotels hotels OR accommodations "medical treatment"