Think back to the last place you visited while on vacation. What made it so memorable? Was it the stunning scenery, the salty scent of the ocean, the delicious local food options or impeccable customer service? Or all of the above? Travel renews the soul, lets you see the world through another lens and allows you to discover places, cultures and cuisine that you would have never otherwise experienced. It makes life richer and more fulfilling, whether you’re traveling halfway across the state or halfway around the world, which is why tourism is such a thriving industry.
But that’s only if a traveler knows where their destination is in the first place! According to the U.S. Travel Association, U.S. domestic travel increased 3.3 percent from 2014 to a total of nearly 2.2 billion person-trips in 2015. Additionally, leisure travel accounted for 79.2 percent of all U.S. domestic travel in 2015. So how can regions, cities and other places of interest capture the attention of those bitten with an intense case of wanderlust? We’ve got a few tips to strengthen your tourism marketing strategy.
U.S. domestic travel increased 3.3 percent from 2014 to a total of nearly 2.2 billion person-trips in 2015.
– U.S. Travel Association
Highlight what makes you different
Every destination has a unique story to tell and distinctive experiences to offer visitors. These points of differentiation will be essential in a prospective visitor’s decision-making process. Through the power of past visitor testimonials, stunning scenic images, engaging videos and other storytelling methods, your brand will help paint the picture of what potential guests will expect when they visit. This will help create excitement and intrigue and prompt them to learn more about you.
Build a strong online presence
Using the Internet to research and book travel is dominant. In 2015, the U.S. alone generated around 208 billion U.S. dollars through mobile and desktop travel sales. This figure is expected to grow annually until 2019, as reported by statica.com. With a wide variety of travel booking sites available like Expedia, Priceline, and Kayak, it’s easier than ever to research hotels, excursions, activities and points of interest well before the traveler even decides where to go. Making sure your brand is found online is vital in order to be a part of that decision moment. Your website, social sites and presence on travel sites will be the first impression you’ll make on potential tourists. Maintaining an active and up-to-date online presence ensures that you’re communicating an accurate brand message to prospective visitors researching your destination.
Reviews, reviews, reviews
The internet is the largest conversation platform there is and people love to give their opinion. You want your past (and hopefully happy) guests to sing your praises so that prospective visitors will make the decision to book with your business because of this positive word of mouth. Sites like Yelp, Facebook and Google are most commonly used to post feedback about your product or service. Want to boost the number of reviews on those sites? Simply ask your past visitors to leave a review and what they loved about their experience with your business. You can also read our additional tips on building and maintaining your online reputation!
Targeted campaigns
Digital and social media marketing have completely revolutionized the way we connect with new audiences. By targeting desired geographical areas, specific demographics and personal interests, brands can reach niche audiences to create intrigue and prompt further action. Advertising methods on platforms such as Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram can build name recognition and help a potential visitor gather more information about a destination and what it has to offer.
Ready to get your plan in place? Paperkite Creative is well versed in tourism marketing and has a dedicated team of experts to guide you through the ins and outs of this booming industry. Contact us today to get the conversation started!
