Travel Takeaway Tuesday Part I

The tourism and travel industry has taken one of the hardest hits from COVID-19. We’ve stayed tuned to what’s going on through webinars and community chats to support one another.

Our team will be attending webinars and other online events in the next several weeks to keep up with organizations representing tour operators, destination marketers, and other industry stakeholders. Connect Travel offers a helpful series. We’re here to compile key takeaways for you so you can get right to the highlights. 

Here are our latest takeaways: 

Continue to Cultivate Relationships

During this time, it’s important to create lasting relationships in your markets. Reach out to tour operators that you work with, and keep talking to your audience online. Everyone in the travel industry is being affected, even consumers. It’s important to stay in touch, even if you are just building a relationship and not selling. Keep sending your tour operators information on your destination, introduce new products, provide easy-to-follow itineraries, or offer a virtual FAM tour during this time. 

The Competition to Come

Many tour operators predict that when the travel ban is lifted, the demand will be higher than the supply. Additionally, the market is going to be flooded with every destination trying to out-promote each other in an effort to woo visitors. Be mindful of what makes your destination unique, and communicate that with your audience. 

Outdoor Attractions in High Demand

Already, we’re seeing an increase in people visiting outdoor attractions during social distancing. This will continue to remain popular as we assimilate into normal life again. Continue to promote your outdoor attractions well into the summer months, and start thinking about how to do so in the fall. 

Plan Ahead for 2021

Now is a prime time to connect your hotels with tour operators. Tour operators are already starting to look for hotel rates and negotiate for 2021. Your hotels will need a lot of “heads in beds” next year to make up for this year’s loss, so take the opportunity now to help them get a jump on it.

Stay tuned for our latest travel takeaways, and stay connected with us as we navigate these times together.

By Bethany, Social Media & Public Relations Strategist | April 7, 2020