Tourism’s big business across the world and generates a staggering 2.8% of GDP in the USA. That amounts to billions of dollars in revenue and creates hundreds of thousands of jobs.
It’s a fickle and competitive industry subject to the whims of travelers. So, if you want to know how to increase tourism for your destination and reap some of those profits, you need to be at the top of your game.
Try some of these tips for marketing your destination to a new audience so you can win customers and increase profits.
1. Craft Special Offers and Giveaways
Most tourist destinations are subject to the whims of seasonal demand, depending on their location. Summer might be the busiest season for a seaside town, but ski resorts find their numbers dwindling in winter.
Often there are still aspects to enjoy in your area at these times, but people simply aren’t aware of them. Offering an attractive discount during the off-season will encourage people to choose your destination first if they’re in the area.
It also has the benefit of introducing them to the benefits of an out-of-season break and can encourage future business. A limited time offer or a ‘flash sale’ helps create a sense of urgency.
2. Team Up With Local Businesses
All the businesses around your destination benefit from promoting tourism. So, it makes sense to team up and create irresistible packages for prospective clients.
Speak to local bus services, restaurants, and tour operators about offering your guests a discount or priority access to their services.
3. Think Up Innovative Ideas
When you’re looking to promote tourism to a new demographic, it’s no use doing what you’ve always done before. For instance, the millennial demographic places a high emphasis on unique experiences.
To impress this crowd, why not introduce cookery classes, or place High Point Scientific Telescopes in their rooms so they can enjoy unique activities during their stay?
4. Marketing Your Destination With Social Media
Almost 50% of the world’s population uses social media, so you can’t beat this marketing tool if you want to reach a vast audience.
Some of the best ways to do this include:
- Posting exciting videos of your destination online
- Use Facebook ads to target your chosen demographic
- Sharing local news
- Creating a discussion page about your area
- Start an online challenge
All this effort isn’t worth anything if prospective customers don’t get to enjoy all your hard work. Hiring an SEO services expert can help ensure customers find your pages first online.
5. Create a Lasting Impression
Visitors to your area seldom have a good idea of the best places to go and things to see. Creating a digital magazine and distributing it online or via email helps create interest in your destination.
It also establishes you as an expert in your field.
Make your book easy to read and skimmable, with first-hand advice on the best that your area has to offer. Remember, these people are on vacation, so use a light-hearted, positive, and fun tone in your guide.
Grow Your Business
If you follow these concrete tips on how to market to tourists, you can gain much-needed exposure for your establishment.
You’ll also do a lot of good towards marketing your destination so that everyone in your locality benefits. For more advice on the best way to boost any kind of business, try some more of the awesome tips on our website.