TRAVEL The Business Beyond Diving: Eat, Sleep, Yoga, then Dive – by Linda Sue Dingel, President, Dive Marketing Media, PADI Course Director, DAN Instructor Trainer, DEMA Member
How many guests book only div- ing or snorkeling for the week? What about non-diving partners who may only be absorbing resort amenities? Let’s explore new ways to boost your bottom line by look- ing at how a leading dive resort has successfully expanded beyond tra- ditional dive
experiences, horseback riding, canopy tours, spa treatments, stand-up paddleboards, kayaking, Maya Key private island animal sanctuary tour and now yoga classes are all available on-site. All designed to attract non-divers, cruise ship pas- sengers and provide activities for divers that want more. Dive Outside the Lines: One year ago Anthony’s Key Resort asked for my help to market yoga classes. We created a Dive & Yoga retreat that integrated dive and snorkel pack-
ages with yoga practice. I helped or- ganize and lead the group as a Dive and Snorkel expert while Terri Zim- merman of Yoga Latitude from Boca Raton, Florida led the mat ses- sions as the Yoga guru. Eighteen men and women partici- pated from coast to coast of the USA. Ruth Taylor from Oceanside, California arrived early to pre-dive with her husband, and then stayed to
and snorkel packages – integrating other daily activities into a dynamic, week-long experience How It All Started: Anthony’s Key Resort on Roatan in the Bay Is- lands of Honduras opened in 1968 is widely recognized as the scuba div- ing industry’s first dedicated dive re- sort ever created. Offering on-site accommodations, boats, tanks, com-
Anthony’s Key Resort Yoga Platform, by Linda Sue Dingel
pressors, and professional diving instructors and services all in one place – a concept that was revolutionary at the time. Over the years, it has grown expansively by catering to guest services beyond just diving and snorkeling. Dolphin
meet her daughter for the Dive & Yoga retreat. “It sounded like a great fit for me and my daughter to celebrate her 40th birthday in a really supportive environment for our first dive trip together.” The jam-packed schedule with Yoga, Eat, Dive/Snorkel, Eat, Dive/Snorkel, Yoga, Eat, Sleep then Repeat … turned into much more. After the first sunset yoga session even before any in-water activities began, participants were ask- ing for “more.” More dives, upgrading from snorkel to div- ing, a few prepared for the event prior to arriving with PADI’s Scuba ReActivate Refresher program, and SDI’s Computer Nitrox Diver course. However, requests for con- tinued education persevered throughout the week – from private 1:1 guided dives and buoyancy classes to Enriched Air courses and additional boat trips added to the schedule. These personalized experiences not only enhanced guest satisfaction but also created valuable opportunities for the resort to grow its revenue streams. Go with the Flow: In yoga, the word “flow” generally refers to a continuous, mindful, and connected movement – both of the body and of the breath. With the demand from the participants to make more of their vacation expe- rience, the ability to “flow” was achieved with small adjust- ments to fit in 2 yoga sessions, 3 dives / 2 snorkels, and an afternoon stand-up paddle board yoga session all in one day if you wanted to take on the challenge.
19+ YEARS OF DIVE & TRAVEL MEDIA EXPERTISE
FOUNDED 2019
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