Websites using Musement

Okay, let s break down Musement, covering its overview, revenue, alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

What is Musement?

Musement is an online travel platform and marketplace that allows users to discover and book tours, activities, attractions, and other travel experiences. It offers a wide range of options, from city tours and museum visits to cooking classes and adventure activities, in destinations worldwide. Think of it as a curated marketplace for things to do on your trip. Musement was acquired by TUI Group in 2018.

Overview

• Business Model: Online travel agency (OTA) focused specifically on tours and activities. Musement partners with local tour operators and activity providers to offer their experiences through its platform.
• Key Features:
  • Wide selection of activities.
  • Easy-to-use search and booking interface.
  • Mobile app.
  • Multilingual support.
  • Options for various travel styles and budgets.
  • Ability to filter and sort by price, duration, reviews, etc.
  • Instant confirmation on many bookings.
  • Reviews and ratings from other travelers.
• Target Audience: Travelers looking for things to do on vacation, from solo travelers to families and groups.

Revenue

• How Musement Makes Money: Musement operates on a commission-based model. It earns a percentage of the booking price for each tour or activity sold through its platform. This commission is paid by the local tour operator or activity provider. The end user pays the price listed on the Musement platform.
• Revenue Information: As Musement is part of the TUI Group, its financial performance is incorporated into TUI s overall results. Specific revenue figures for Musement alone are not typically broken out publicly in great detail. However, TUI has reported that Musement has experienced significant growth in bookings and revenue since its acquisition. You d have to look through TUI Group s financial reports to find any granular data on Musement s performance.
• Factors Influencing Revenue:
  • Overall growth in the travel and tourism industry.
  • Musement s ability to attract new customers and retain existing ones.
  • The number of tours and activities available on the platform.
  • Musement s marketing and promotional efforts.
  • The strength of the TUI Group s overall network and brand.

Alternatives

Musement is in a competitive market. Here are some of its main competitors:

• Viator (Tripadvisor): One of the largest and most well-known platforms for tours and activities. Owned by Tripadvisor.
• GetYourGuide: Another major player, similar to Musement and Viator.
• Klook: Popular in Asia, but expanding globally.
• Airbnb Experiences: Offers unique and often locally-led experiences through the Airbnb platform.
• Expedia/Booking.com (Activities section): Large OTAs that also offer tours and activities.
• Local Tour Operators (Direct Booking): Booking directly with the company that runs the tour or activity. Often found through Google Search or local tourism websites.

Key Differences between Musement and Alternatives:

• Size and Selection: Viator and GetYourGuide often have the largest selection of activities globally.
• Focus: Airbnb Experiences often emphasizes unique, authentic, and locally-led activities.
• Integration: Expedia/Booking.com are integrated into broader travel booking platforms.
• Price: Prices are generally comparable across platforms, but it s always a good idea to compare. Direct booking with a local operator may sometimes offer a better price, but not always.
• User Experience: Personal preference plays a big role in which platform is easiest to use.
• Commission Structure: While the commission percentage paid by tour operators can vary between platforms, it s important to realize the end user doesn t generally see these differences directly.

Pricing

• Pricing Structure: Musement does not set the prices for the tours and activities. The prices are set by the local tour operators and activity providers. Musement then adds its commission on top.
• Price Variation: Prices can vary based on:
  • Activity type: More complex or exclusive activities will generally be more expensive.
  • Duration: Longer tours and activities usually cost more.
  • Group size: Private tours are usually more expensive than group tours.
  • Seasonality: Prices may be higher during peak seasons.
  • Location: Prices vary by destination.
• Deals and Discounts: Musement sometimes offers promotional codes or discounts. It s worth checking their website or app for deals before booking.
• Price Comparison: As mentioned above, it s always a good idea to compare prices across different platforms (Musement, Viator, GetYourGuide, etc.) to ensure you re getting the best deal. Also, check the cancellation policies carefully.

Customer Care

• Customer Service Channels:
  • Website and App: Musement has a help center with FAQs and articles to address common questions.
  • Email: You can typically contact their customer support team via email.
  • Phone: They often offer phone support, though availability may vary depending on the region.
  • Social Media: Some companies offer customer support through social media channels like Twitter or Facebook.
• Common Customer Service Issues:
  • Cancellations and Refunds: Understanding the cancellation policy before booking is crucial. Disputes over cancellations and refunds are common issues.
  • Rescheduling: Requests to reschedule tours or activities.
  • Incorrect Information: Discrepancies between the tour description and the actual experience.
  • Problems with the Tour Operator: Issues with the quality of the tour or the behavior of the tour guide.
• Important Considerations:
  • Read Reviews: Before booking, read reviews from other travelers to get an idea of the quality of the tour or activity and the responsiveness of the tour operator.
  • Cancellation Policy: Carefully review the cancellation policy before booking. Some activities may have strict cancellation policies.
  • Confirmation: Ensure you receive a confirmation email with all the details of your booking.
  • Contact Information: Have the contact information for both Musement and the local tour operator in case you need to reach them.
  • Document Everything: Keep copies of all communication with Musement and the tour operator.

In Summary

Musement is a solid platform for booking tours and activities. Its key strengths are its wide selection, user-friendly interface, and integration within the TUI Group. However, it s important to compare prices and reviews with other platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide to ensure you re getting the best deal and experience. Always read the fine print, especially the cancellation policy, and be prepared to contact customer service if you encounter any issues.