Your are here

Your idea for a travel agency in Korea using students as guides to connect with tourists, potentially business owners, falls into the 'Minimal Signal' category. This means there isn't a lot of readily available market validation for this specific concept. The fact that we only found one similar product, 'Trippergram For Guide', underscores this point. While this could mean you're pioneering a unique space, it also means you'll need to proactively validate demand before investing too heavily. With only one comment on the similar product, engagement seems low, so you will have to work hard to generate excitement and interest. Given the lack of strong signals, it's crucial to approach this cautiously and focus on gathering evidence that people actually want this service before building out a full-fledged agency.

Recommendations

1. Start by directly engaging with your target audience. Post in online communities frequented by international students in Korea and by tourists planning trips to Korea. Describe your concept and gauge their genuine interest. Are they excited by the idea of student-led tours? Would tourists be interested in networking opportunities? This will provide initial qualitative feedback.
2. Offer a highly manual version of your service to a small number of tourists. Recruit a couple of student guides and advertise their availability on relevant online platforms. This will allow you to test the practical aspects of your service, gather direct feedback from users, and refine your model based on real-world experiences.
3. Create a compelling explainer video that showcases the unique value proposition of your travel agency: authentic experiences, student insights, and networking opportunities. Focus on the benefits for both students and tourists. Track how many people watch the video in its entirety, as this indicates genuine interest.
4. Implement a 'waiting list' with a small, non-refundable deposit. This serves as a stronger indicator of commitment than simple sign-ups. If people are willing to put down money, even a small amount, it suggests they are serious about using your service when it becomes available. Make sure you clearly communicate what the deposit will be used for (e.g., seed funding for the agency, initial marketing efforts).
5. Based on the discussion and criticism from Trippergram, focus on the specific advantage of having students as guides. What makes a student-led tour special and better than a professional guide or existing agencies? Try to communicate this advantage with strong and clear messaging.
6. Set a clear timeline for validation. If you can't secure five interested individuals within three weeks of active outreach and promotion, it's a strong signal that the demand isn't sufficient to justify further investment. Be prepared to pivot or reconsider your idea.

Questions

1. What specific advantages do Korean students offer as tour guides compared to traditional tour operators or freelance guides in Korea? How will you ensure they provide a high-quality, reliable experience?
2. How will you address potential liabilities and safety concerns associated with having students act as guides, especially considering the potential for networking with business owners and potential cultural misunderstandings?
3. Given the minimal existing market validation, what are your key assumptions about the demand for this type of travel agency, and how will you rigorously test and validate those assumptions in the next few weeks?