Travel Takeaway Tuesday Part VI

We’ve made it almost three months into quarantine. Though it’s been a taxing time for the tourism industry, there have been promising signs over the past month. One thing’s certain -- the virtual connections between tourism and travel providers and their customers will remain just as important throughout the rest of the year. 

Thanks to Connect Travel, we continue to keep in touch with travel experts and bring you the latest updates in the industry. 

Here are our latest takeaways: 

Looking at the Future of Trade Shows

The whole travel industry has missed out on opportunities to connect in person at trade shows. And, it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. Virtual conferences and trade shows have become the norm during this time, and some virtual components may stay with us in the future to make connecting easier. Travel show leaders will likely look at attractions such as Universal and DisneyWorld for examples of how to maintain health protocols with large group gatherings. Stay connected with the trade and travel shows you regularly attend, and sign up for virtual opportunities when you can. 

Engage with Your Hidden Gems

Now’s the time to work with your smaller attractions, and the hidden gems that make your destination unique. The first travelers that will be visiting will be local and regional residents, and they will be taking shorter trips to re-discover their own “backyard.” Promote the places they may previously overlooked, especially in your content marketing.

Tell Your Story

Storytelling was important in the travel and tourism industry before the coronavirus, but now it’s even more crucial. Expand your content marketing efforts to tell more stories about your community, the people who run the local attractions, and local restaurant owners. Get creative with your storytelling by doing spotlights on business owners -- create an “attractions pass,” or feature a “restaurant of the week.”

Focus on the Customer’s Whole Journey 

At this point, you can’t just focus on the discovery phase for your potential visitors. It’s important to grow your customer’s journey and engage with them at every point along the way. Do you have a regular newsletter? Are you encouraging them to stay in touch and engaged through your social media? These questions should influence your marketing strategies for the rest of 2020.

Virtual marketing is a great way to keep engaged with your audience. Encourage them to visit their local communities until long-distance travel resumes. Stay tuned for our latest travel takeaways, and stay connected as we navigate these times together.

By Bethany, Social Media & Public Relations Strategist | June 16, 2020