Effective Marketing Techniques To Draw in Tourists
While most marketing campaigns, promotions and...
While most marketing campaigns, promotions and advertising drives are targeted at local clients and customers, we should remember the opportunities that tourism provides to individuals, businesses, industries and all states in general.
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National Tourism Day
Celebrated annually on May 7, this event reminds us of the importance of tourism for boosting the local economy. It also reminds us to look for the great in our everyday lives and locality. If we can find the joy in where we live, it is easier to highlight it for others.
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Marketing To Tourists
Tourists will usually visit a region for either business or pleasure, because they have visited before and enjoyed the experience, or because they have been advised that the area is worth visiting. Your role as a business owner operating in an area frequented by tourists is to make them feel welcome.
Franchises are uniquely positioned in the tourism industry. Some tourists will be drawn to a familiar brand to ease homesickness or to compare its service and products to those they have access to back at home. Others will be excited to try the products of a franchise that they have heard about but never experienced.
Understanding the motivations of tourists who may visit your business is key to a successful tourist marketing campaign.
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Marketing Strategies
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1. Reputation
Your reputation will be fundamental to getting tourists through the door. Your brand must have global appeal, but your particular location must also have great reviews. You should already have an active online presence, be communicating with your customers on social media, and responding to reviews that are placed online. By consistently responding to and acting upon feedback received from customers, you will appeal to tourists who will be looking for businesses to frequent that offer high levels of customer service.
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2. Highlight products that appeal to travelers
You may choose to promote a "taste of home" or excite visitors by offering something that they haven't seen before. Understanding the reasons why tourists visit your local area will help you to tailor your specials, promotions and ads to appeal to them. Try to avoid highlighting products that offer no benefit to tourists, particularly during the high season; tourists are far less likely to visit a franchise that pushes its cleaning products when they are camping or staying in accommodation where resort staff are responsible for upkeep and maintenance. They will be more interested in buying souvenirs or products that will provide them with an immediate benefit.
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3. Optimize your website for smartphone use
Many travelers will not have access to a desktop computer or laptop while on holiday, using their smartphone to navigate and research businesses instead. For this reason, it is essential that your website operates effectively on a smartphone. Check it now, and if it is not compatible or looks untidy, prioritize optimizing it.
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By embracing these three strategies, you should see a marked increase in tourist activity this year.