Travelers look to lock and load gear easily

Godshaw shows the features of Travelon’s antitheft bags.

Provide the market what it needs—not just what it wants—and the odds of success will forever be in a prospective entrepreneur’s favor.

Take it from Donald Godshaw, CEO of US-based specialty travel goods company Travelon, which is reaping the rewards of its big bet on travel gear and accessories that address travelers’ need to secure and organize their belongings.

Travelon’s antitheft bags do not scrimp on style

Godshaw, who recently came to the Philippines to personally explain to the retail sector Travelon’s brand philosophy of providing practical solutions for travelers’ needs, says that budding entrepreneurs should constantly scan the horizon for trends or developments that will have a profound impact on their business.

After the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, for example, security checks around the world tightened considerably and travelers had to cope with the constant checking and rechecking of their travel documents and identification papers by airline and immigration officials.

This development prompted Travelon, which first found fortune in its brand of luggage scales, to produce a patented line of sling bags with enough pockets and containers to fit travel documents, as well as credit and identification cards. Travelers may reach into the bags without much fuss as they wade through the numerous security checks.

“There was a big change in habits after 9/11, and we were the first to make a travel neck wallet where you can put a pen, your passport, boarding pass. We sold tens of thousands of units every month,” he says during a recent interview at the Solaire Resort and Casino.

Travelon likewise notes the increase in recent years of corporate travel.

And because these harried travel warriors need to go in and out of the airport quickly, they want to just fit in one nice bag all the things they need—anything from clothes to gadgets. Plus, a bag must snugly fit the space under a plane’s seat or overhead compartment.

This need gave rise to, among others, wheeled overnight cases that can fit the essentials including clothes, laptop and toiletry kit for a short trip. The corporate warriors considered the wheeled cases that can fit under a plane’s seat to be a godsend.

The market initially scoffed at the idea of wheeled luggage. But Godshaw persevered, as he believed there were a lot of people out there who hated the idea of carrying around heavy carryon luggage.

DEMAND for travel gear such as neck wallets continues to rise.

“If you make something that gives people value, that provides a consumer benefit they will not be able to get from others, that is not a ‘me too’ product, then you will likely prosper,” Godshaw stresses.

The company has been in the travel accessories and luggage industry since 1978.

The most recent trend that Travelon is capitalizing on is the need for greater security, thus its latest line of antitheft bags.

These bags, which are distributed in the Philippines by the Primer Group of Companies through The Travel Club, have three main antitheft features:  wire mesh construction to prevent the material from being slashed; cutproof straps; and locking zippers and carabineers. All are present in a wide range of products from bags and wallets to passport cases.

Godshaw says that he expects global sales of the antitheft bags and travel accessories to increase significantly in the next few years, particularly in Asia where more citizens are starting to travel due to rising disposable incomes.

Already, Travelon is rolling out new products, such as waterproof travel accessories, and affordable luggage tags that will make it easier for travelers to pick out their luggage from the carousel.

“We always look ahead and try not to produce SOS, or the same old stuff,” says Godshaw.

He shares that in anticipation of the rampup in its production, Travelon is considering the possibility of again setting up a manufacturing facility in the Philippines, particularly in Mactan where its subcontractor used to operate a factory that employed about 500 people.

According to Godshaw, the facility was closed when the company decided to invest fully in China. But since labor and business conditions have been changing in China, the company is considering an alternative site, such as the Philippines.

With the country’s economic prospects greatly improved, it may just be a matter of time before Travelon decides to locate in the Philippines, which it considers to be a lucrative market and an ideal investment site.

After all, the signs have been encouraging for companies on expansion mode.

According to Godshaw, it will not be long before the manufacturing sector will start to boom again in the Philippines.

“Economic growth is there. The real estate market is strong. The retail sector is strong and the peso has been pretty solid. The government is also working hard to stabilize everything,” says Godshaw. “We will definitely seriously consider doing something here again.”