Tourism Marketing Strategies for Off Season Bookings
Since the pandemic, a lot of people have traveled the world vicariously, scrolling through photos. People are now taking tentative steps back in the realm of travel.
They are looking through calendars and searching for deals. In the tourism industry, there are three travel windows, peak, shoulder and off-season.
The main component of off-season allure is the price. As the demand slumps, so do the rates of most hotels and resorts. It is the same for car rentals, package deals, and flights, and package deals.
Less tourists mean more availability and better rates. In the off-season, tourists also get the sense of what it is like to be a local.
There is also the appeal of empty vistas for better photographs.
Given below are some strategies that will keep the travel industry business relevant even in the off -season.
Email Marketing
Sending emails to travelers helps to build a relationship on a deeper level. Tailored email content helps to connect with the audience.
First, the frequency of emails should be determined. Photos from a recent tour could be shared to fuel the desire of the audience to travel.
Guest photos and testimonials also give the recipients a sense of what to expect.
Local sightseeing suggestions, packing lists, and restaurant recommendations can also be shared.
Take Advantage of the Peak Season
When people are visiting a website and booking tours during the peak season, it is better to collect as much information from them as possible.
Their contact information, or email, or anything that is useful for a business can be collected. Then surveys, information , and promotional material can be sent to them during the off-season.
CTAs can be used throughout the company website or on social media profiles. At events, people can be asked to subscribe to newsletters at trade stalls.
Use Blog Posts with ‘Low Season’ Content Strategy
Close to the slow season, it can be effective to publish blog posts that describe experiences that travelers can enjoy during the off-season.
The benefits of such experiences should be emphasized and any associated fears, such as whether the place is too cold, or too humid can be addressed.
Photos and videos of those experiences during the off-season can be shared, so that people can get to see what a place is like at that time of the year.
The blog posts should also be optimized so that it gets maximum visibility during off-season.
Post about Promotional Activities
Posting promotional activities during off-season can keep potential customers engaged. Customers can be asked to post their favorite photo or video from their trips on Instagram and they can use the hashtag of the travel company.
Destination-themed parties can also get customers excited about traveling. Twitter updates about traveling during off-season can also be helpful.
Influencers can also be asked to promote some off-season activities that the travel company offers.
Co-CEO at 5W Public Relations, Dara Busch oversees 5W’s Consumer PR Practice, which includes Travel & Entertainment, Apparel & Accessories, Non-Profits, Home & Housewares, Health & Wellness, Mom & Baby, Beauty & Grooming, and Consumer Packaged Goods.