The impact of social media tourism in the travel industry is profound.
It allows businesses like yours to connect with potential customers in ways that have never before been possible.
It also allows customers to communicate with each other, and learning how to tap into these networks is vital!
Social Media Tourism can Work for You!
Why?
It creates a community of travellers who can share their experiences and help each other plan trips.
That’s great news for your travel business if you know how to take advantage of it!
At Straight Up Website, we’re all about empowering your travel business. So, in this article, I’ll explore the power of social media tourism and its crucial role in your marketing strategy.
Social Media has a Powerful Impact on Tourism Marketing
Social media and tourism provide a unique opportunity for marketers to connect with potential customers.
After all, tourism marketers can create an emotional connection with potential customers through social media.
That can be a powerful motivator for people to travel and engage with products and services!
Social media allows tourism marketers to share engaging and inspiring content with potential customers via digital marketing.
That combination of personal connection and exciting content has changed the role of social media for travel industry businesses.
Here’s why…
The Importance of an Active Posting Strategy is Huge!
84% of millennials use online reviews and postings to work out their travel plans.
That means they’re searching the web for what others say about your destination or service.
According to this study from Cornell, positive reviews attract far more significant numbers of venue visitors.
More excitingly, they also enable companies to increase prices and profitability!
So Much Support is Available
Many companies have developed ways to support businesses with their online offers in recent years.
Industry organisations like VisitBritain frequently run workshops on the power of social media marketing.
But here’s the critical part…
You need to develop an integrated marketing plan to harness the power of user-generated content.
My post here is a good starting point for learning more about it.
How Has Social Media Been Used to Successfully Market Tourism Destinations?
Social media allows potential visitors to connect with a destination and get a sense of what it offers.
Providers can also use it to share special offers and discounts, encouraging people to book a trip.
Examples of Successful Social Media Tourism
– The VisitBritain campaign “Inspiring the World to Travel to Britain” successfully increased tourism traffic. The campaign featured photos and videos of people from all over the world enjoying different aspects of British culture. VisitBritain promoted it extensively through social media.
– The Australian Tourism Board created a social media campaign called “There’s Nothing Like Australia.” The campaign featured videos of people from all over the world talking about why they love Australia. People shared the videos on social media, and the hashtag #ILoveAustralia generated buzz. The result was a significant increase in tourism traffic.
The social media campaign “#FeedYourAdventure” promoted a new zip line attraction at the Adventure Park in New York. The campaign featured visitors zip lining and enjoying other activities at the park. Visitors shared posts on social media, and the park saw increased visitors.
Did you notice what those examples all had in common?
Feature Images and Videos of Awesome Experiences!
These examples show how social media can successfully market tourist destinations.
By featuring images and videos of people enjoying a destination, social media can create a sense of excitement.
What’s more, it can even encourage people to visit you!
How to use Social Media Tourism to Connect Customers With Your Business
When it comes to tourism marketing, making a connection is critical.
Social media provides a fantastic interactive platform for businesses to connect with their target audiences.
By building relationships with potential tourists on several platforms, businesses can create trust and credibility, increasing sales and profits.
Make use of Popular Platforms and Networks.
Some of the most popular social media platforms for tourism marketing include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest.
These platforms allow businesses to share information about their products or services with potential customers worldwide.
They let businesses connect with customers more personally, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Get Personal with your Customers
Overall, social media provides a powerful tool for businesses to reach their target audiences.
It helps them build relationships to increase sales and profits too.
Companies can connect with potential tourists personally, interact, and engage, increasing tourism traffic and revenue.
According to Forbes, consistency comes top of the list when building those personal relationships.
My top tips for combining social media and tourism are:
Provide Value. The content you post has to be worth something to the reader. It could be a special offer, an original review, or a new image of a well-known destination.
You must generate worth for your reader if you want them to trust you with their holiday.
Trust Your Authenticity. Your voice needs to stand out when it comes to social sharing.
Keep your posts and content related to your brand message or online strategy. Social media platforms promote original user-generated content, and the tourism industry thrives on it.
Track the Algorithm. Trends change, and so do the algorithms that drive user interaction. Keep on top of what’s hot and which strategies to use by working with experts.
Set Some Targets. Consistent posting works. Search engines learn that your feeds are active and full of quality content.
You could define a set number of specific posts or regularly post on related topics in a particular time frame.
Brands that build followers and influence develop a dynamic online reputation.
You can discover just how much a WordPress travel website, complete with social media integration, should be costing you here.
How to use Social Media to Market Your Tourist Destination
Digital marketing will sell your destination when done well.
So, what should you do if you want to use social media for your tourism business?
The first step is to understand your audience and their social media platforms.
Once you know that, you can start creating content relevant to them and their interests.
Remember, it’s not just about promoting your business.
It’s also essential to engage with your audience and create a social media presence that is friendly and welcoming.
The Six Golden Rules for Destination Marketing
- Use social media to create a strong relationship with your customers. Show them that you appreciate their business by promptly responding to their comments and questions.
- Utilise several social media platforms to give your customers exclusive deals and discounts.
- Make sure that the information on your social media pages is up-to-date and accurate. It should integrate seamlessly with your website.
- Use social media to share photos and videos of your destination. That will give potential customers a taste of what your destination offers.
- Keep in mind that social media is a two-way street. It’s not just about broadcasting your message; it’s also about listening to what your customers say. Use social media to gather feedback about your destination and improve based on what you hear.
- Increase brand use and visibility. When users interact with your brand, they are more likely to remember your name when ready to book a vacation.
- Don’t Forget The Tourist Buying Journey
Your brand should always target the tourist buying journey regardless of your platform.
When tourists are looking to buy something, the level of service you provide informs their decision making.
That’s because tourists frequently search for things specific to their needs and interests.
They want to find the best deals on flights, hotels, and activities. They also want to learn about the culture and attractions of their visiting destination!
Social Media Tourism and the Tourist Journey
Broken down simply, your social media marketing needs to target customers in the four phases of their buying journey:
Awareness. Your travel company should reach out across the web, using a range of channels, using the right SEO strategies. That’ll generate interest in your destination and get potential customers to learn more about it.
Evaluation: You can help tourists compare different sites and destinations and find the best deals in the sector. That builds trust and aids decision making.
Purchase: Regular posting as part of a strategy makes it easy for tourists to buy tickets or book a hotel. By positioning yourself as an expert guide, you become their go-to for buying a holiday.
Post Trip: Social media allows everyone to share positive experiences and post valuable content after completing a trip. Resharing users’ posts is a great benefit of digital marketing!
Conclusion: Social Media Tourism is full of Business Benefits for You!
Social media and tourism have become an integral part of many people’s lives. It’s a powerful tool that connects visitors and destinations alike.
When used effectively, social media can be a great asset to any business in the tourism industry.
Need help with your social media marketing?
Let us know. We are here to support you on your journey. It’s of even more value when correctly integrated into your business website.
If you need some advice, check out my article on why it’s crucial to maintain your travel website here.
Enjoy building your tourism business through social media, and thanks for reading!
Comment below if you have any questions!
Have you used social media tourism to boost your business marketing successfully? Tell us about your experience below!
