Who can forget the days when all you had to do to plan a vacation and have to rush to your neighbourhood travel agent for ticket bookings are long gone?
All industries are experiencing the results of technological advances and the growing dominance of the digital world. In our personal lives, digitization in many aspects is undeniable. As expected, this happens similarly in the different professional areas.
The world is moving together towards digital communication as the main way of accessing other people. We all use social networks and online search engines to inform us about all kinds of products, services, or data we need.
This is why Digital marketing services in Dubai are so important for brands that want to make themselves known or expand their clientele. In the case of the tourism industry, the situation is the same. There are many benefits that this type of industry can gain from the most up-to-date digital marketing strategies. According to a Google report, 57% of US travelers believe that brands should personalize their information based on personal preferences and past behaviour.
Globally, it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.8% over the next 10 years to become $11.4 trillion!
Also advertising investment in digital media all over the world has grown in 2021 in the digital field. Specifically, it has done so by 29.2% compared to 2019. Thus, it has reached the not insignificant figure of 4,069 million USD.
New possibilities
In 2021 it may be necessary to generate innovative ideas to attract consumers to new destinations and tourist experiences. The global events we have experienced during the past year have changed how many people approach their plans, trips, visits, and any experience that has to do with moving from the place of residence and knowing new places. In last 2 yrs number of people who prefer to book online ticket are almost double.
The tourism industry has not stopped, and it will not be the case in 2021, but it has been affected by the social changes we are experiencing during 2020. Therefore, it is advisable to consider how this has affected the consumer needs and ensure that there are enough diverse options for each type of customer.
Digital marketing is one of the most powerful tools to innovate and move the tourism industry forward in the coming year. With everyone spending much more time at home than away, this is an excellent way to reach people with all the options and offers available to enjoy tourism safely.
Consumer access
For any industry that needs to sell a specific product or service, having the right contact with your consumers and potential consumers is essential. Now more than ever, tourist service consumers look for inspiration in the digital world, especially on their social networks.
Therefore, one of the ways to have a presence in 2021 is through managing these platforms that we all use constantly. If the consumer is at home most of the time, the best way to access it is through digital tools that promote attractive brands, products, and offers.
Personalization of offers
One of the great advantages of digitization is that it has made it much easier to personalize every aspect of marketing campaign so that they can reach specific audiences.
Planning a trip is the most complicated and tedious part of a vacation. Each person has different desires and experiences, so deciding between the comfort of the accommodation and the proximity to the most interesting tourist places can be a rather annoying crossroads for many. That is why, more and more, tourism consumers expect to have options adapted to their specific needs.
During the year that begins, tourism companies will use different online marketing strategies to ensure that each offer can be perfectly adapted to the wishes of each client.
Certain trends that have been developing in recent times and that will surely have a great weight during 2021:
- Story doing
The importance of storytelling when it comes to marketing is well known. Consumers are hooked when you offer them stories, they can empathize with and emotionally connect with.
Story doing is about focusing the energies of your marketing strategy on establishing what you want your target audience to do as a result of what they’ve seen
In the case of tourism, this strategy could help combat the negative consequences of the global pandemic that began in 2020. A strategy focused on generating specific actions from stories could make the target audience dare to share that message, follow that Instagram account, or even buy that airline ticket.
- Video marketing
Video, in general, is one of the most versatile and effective tools for connecting with an audience. We all easily understand audiovisual language. If the video is well made, attractive, and entertaining, the viewer will be hooked on it very quickly, easily digesting its content.
- The Power of Recommendation
The mistrust of corporate websites and the shift to social media suggest that suggestions from our peers matter a lot when making travel plans. In a Tnooz study, over 95% of leisure travellers read an average of 7 reviews and spent 30 minutes researching before making a reservation
A TripAdvisor survey indicated that 92 percent of UK residents agree that “reviews are important when booking a holiday.” This suggests that negative feedback should be handled cautiously and consumer complaints should be handled with tact.
Conclusions
Technological advances do not stop, on the contrary, they develop faster and faster. The images, videos, and information that can be transmitted through the Internet are powerful and persuasive content.
Without a doubt, this will be one of the most successful means this year to promote tourism growth, adapting to the social changes imposed by the health crisis.
So, the question is, how will you be reaching travellers this year? For advice on your marketing strategy, feel free to contact the team at Seigell Consultants.