When I started Moto Patagonia, it was a combination of ability, circumstance, with some luck thrown in. What I mean is, I had the ability to be a good guide, prepare a Moto for long trips, and organize awesome routes. And I was lucky enough to be living in an area that is best explored by Moto, being married to Paula, who was equally a passionate about adventure travel as me and to have the time to put together a business with such a tight focus.
The biggest challenge was selling an “Experience” as compared to a “Thing.”
(Seriously, it’s the most difficult thing I have done in my life, and I’ve done a lot of really difficult things--some by choice others by happenstance) Marketing to sell a “Thing” is pretty straight forward. Here it is, folks, and I can get it to you by next-day mail!
But trying to sell a multiday Moto tour in Patagonia is a whole different ballgame. It is truly challenging to explain that a Moto ride in Patagonia is totally life changing and has inherent value even though it is not something you can hold in your hand.
Aside from the obvious constraint on many riders like cost and vacation time. The small market of motorcycle tour and rental companies are all competing against each other not just locally but globally. People are looking for the next best place to ride, so we not only compete against other companies riding in Patagonia but also against riders who are choosing against, Patagonia and say Africa or Asia.
Traveling the world is not for the faint at heart and traveling by Moto is for certain an adventure in any place around the globe. I am confident however that we here at Moto Patagonia do create a unique environment in which to ride and experience Patagonia. My focus is keeping it authentic and keeping it familiar. Small groups and interesting challenging routes are what I like and what I believe most folks travel far and wide in search of.
The biggest challenge was selling an “Experience” as compared to a “Thing.”
(Seriously, it’s the most difficult thing I have done in my life, and I’ve done a lot of really difficult things--some by choice others by happenstance) Marketing to sell a “Thing” is pretty straight forward. Here it is, folks, and I can get it to you by next-day mail!
But trying to sell a multiday Moto tour in Patagonia is a whole different ballgame. It is truly challenging to explain that a Moto ride in Patagonia is totally life changing and has inherent value even though it is not something you can hold in your hand.
Aside from the obvious constraint on many riders like cost and vacation time. The small market of motorcycle tour and rental companies are all competing against each other not just locally but globally. People are looking for the next best place to ride, so we not only compete against other companies riding in Patagonia but also against riders who are choosing against, Patagonia and say Africa or Asia.
Traveling the world is not for the faint at heart and traveling by Moto is for certain an adventure in any place around the globe. I am confident however that we here at Moto Patagonia do create a unique environment in which to ride and experience Patagonia. My focus is keeping it authentic and keeping it familiar. Small groups and interesting challenging routes are what I like and what I believe most folks travel far and wide in search of.
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