It’s no secret that the tourism industry is facing some serious challenges right now. However, when things settle down, the companies that have solid marketing plans will be the ones that survive and come out ahead.
Keep reading to learn ten of the best tips for marketing your tour packages.
1. Make Sure Your Tour Packages Are Appealing
First and foremost, you want to make sure you know your audience and what they want. Then create unique and interesting packages that you’re sure they’re going to love.
For example, this Cuba bike tour combines traditional sightseeing with the ability to get out and enjoy the country’s gorgeous weather. This appeals to the type of tourist who is currently traveling to the area and helps it stand out from other types of sightseeing tours.
2. Take Advantage of Technology
So much business is done online now, you really need to put some effort into optimizing your website and ensuring you’re set up to accept online bookings.
Make sure all the information potential customers need is front-and-center on your website. If people have to dig around for important information, they’ll quickly get frustrated and move on to the next option.
3. Harness the Power of Video
It’s no secret that video is extremely powerful, especially when it comes to attracting customers in the tourism industry. A great video will show some of the most exciting things people can expect to experience during your tours. Customers should be able to envision themselves there and feel a strong desire to sign up right away.
4. Build Your Social Presence
Social media is a major source of influence when it comes to travel! Use YouTube to build up a collection of fun and powerful videos. Instagram is your best bet for showing off stunning images from your tours.
Of course, you can’t talk about social media without mentioning Facebook. Use it to post content and offers, communicate with potential customers, and get targeted ads in front of the right people. If you can’t dedicate enough time to your social media, seriously consider outsourcing this critical task.
5. Work with Travel Influencers
You can also take your social media exposure to the next level by collaborating with travel influencers. These are individuals who have strong social media followings and who partner with brands to aid in their promotion (for a fee, of course).
Make sure the person you’re considering is actually influential and has a history of spurring their followers to take action based on their recommendations. Otherwise, you’re not likely to get your money’s worth.
6. Partner with Local Businesses
You can make your packages even more appealing by partnering with local businesses to give customers a well-rounded experience. For example, start your tour off at a popular local coffee shop or end with a cocktail at an area hotspot.
You can also work with hotels or Airbnb locations to promote your tours to their guests. You may even offer them a small affiliate commission for any guests who sign up based on their recommendations.
7. Get on Local Directories and Listings
When most people start planning vacations, the first thing they do is head over to Google to get more information. Make sure you have a Google My Business listing and that it’s accurate and up-to-date.
Also make sure you have complete listings on all of the other popular travel sites including TripAdvisor, Kayak, Expedia, and so on.
8. Offer Discount Codes
When people use your tours, make sure to gather their contact information – including their email. Then, send a follow-up email with a discount code that they can give to family and friends. Nothing beats word-of-mouth marketing and this is a great way to get referrals.
Also make sure you stay in contact with past customers by reaching out to them via email at least once every couple of months. This will help keep you top-of-mind and make it more likely that they’ll share their experience with others who are likely to enjoy it.
9. Use Focused Content Marketing
If you don’t have a blog, you’re making a mistake. If you have a blog, but you’re not keeping up with it, you’re also making a mistake!
Content marketing improves your search engine optimization (SEO), positions you as an expert in your field, and helps you build rapport with potential customers by providing them with the information they need for free.
Not all content is created equally, however. Make sure that your blogs are well-written, high-quality, and include plenty of visuals like photos, videos, and more. The content should also be super targeted to a very specific group of readers and should be inspiring enough to trigger wanderlust in your readers.
10. Collect Positive Reviews
Studies show that 90 percent of people do research in the form of reading online reviews before making a purchase. On average, they like to read about seven different reviews. This makes it extremely important to collect as many positive reviews as you can.
Not only does the number of positive reviews you have make a difference, but ones that are more recent are also more powerful. This means that collecting reviews needs to be a consistent effort, not a one-time thing.
Find More Tips for Growing Your Business
Now that you know the best ways to market your tour packages, you’re one step ahead of your competition!
Don’t let the current environment slow you down! Now is a great time to put extra effort into learning some of the best tips for running a successful business. Keep browsing through our blog for everything you need to know.