People are looking for unique experiences. According to Skift Research’s “The State of Travel 2024,” the trend toward seeking unique travel experiences is on the rise, especially among Millennials and Gen Z. As travelers increasingly prioritize memorable experiences over daily conveniences, the industry must adapt to meet this evolving demand.

This shift presents a significant opportunity for dive shops. Your potential customers are browsing online for new and exciting activities, often without a clear understanding of what scuba diving entails. Unfortunately, your dive shop might not show up in their search results if they’re using broad keywords to explore various experiences. Even if your shop does appear, the thought of diving in cold, murky waters or spending half of their vacation on training might be enough to turn them away.

How Can You Ensure These Customers Choose YOUR Dive Shop, No Matter Where It’s Located?

Thanks to PADI distribution partnerships, dive shops listing their products on PADI Adventures gain increased visibility to this audience.
Offering popular high-demand products significantly enhances your chances of being featured more prominently.
Adding the PADI Open Water Diver Referral course Part 1/2 or Part 2/2 to your offerings addresses two key concerns of potential divers: the challenge of cold-water diving at home and the desire to maximize vacation time when diving abroad.

Targeting the Domestic Market

For dive shops in cooler climates, the PADI Open Water Diver Referral course Part 1/2 presents a way to attract customers who might be hesitant to dive in cold water. By allowing them to complete their theory and confined water dives in a swimming pool at home, you provide comfort and convenience. Plus, you can entice them with the prospect of completing their certification in warm, tropical waters. This approach broadens your audience, appealing not just to dedicated diving enthusiasts but also opening the underwater world to those seeking new experiences.

Beach Destination Dive Shops

For dive shops in sunny, beach destinations, offering the PADI Open Water Diver Referral Part 2/2 is a game-changer. Tourists want to make the most of their vacation, and spending several days training isn’t their idea of fun. By enabling students to complete the initial portion of their course at home, you allow them to arrive at your dive shop ready to dive. This leaves more time for leisure, additional diving, and other activities.

When students complete their Open Water dives with you, they’re fresh, motivated, and eager to explore more. This presents an excellent opportunity to upsell additional courses and guided dives. With their whole vacation ahead, these new divers are more likely to book extra activities, boosting your revenue.

How PADI Helps You

We recognize the potential of the PADI Open Water Diver Referral course and have already started promoting it to benefit our members. Through various partnerships and new landing pages, featuring parts 1 and 2 of the referral course in the new Courses Locator and targeted social media posts, we are laying the groundwork for this offering.

Now, all you need to do is add your course on PADI Adventures to be featured.

Tip: You have an excellent opportunity to stand out by being among the first to offer this new Adventures product.

Make the most of your location’s unique selling points by offering the PADI Open Water Diver Referral course Part 1 or 2, catering to the evolving preferences of today’s travelers. It’s time to capitalize on this opportunity, attract a wider audience, and grow your business.

If you have questions, contact our PADI Adventures Team, which is available for 1:1 Business Support.

The post Why Every Dive Shop Should Sell the Open Water Diver Referral Course Online appeared first on PADI Pros.

Travel, Business support, New diver aquisition, open water diver referral, padi adventuresPADI Pros