Tourism needs social and digital networks, how to make the best use of them

We all know that one of the cornerstones of the Italian economy is tourism.

How to use the Web and Social Networks for the tourism market?

A question that today has become indispensable for the many accommodation facilities in order to understand how to be visible online by promoting themselves in the right channels.

Attention: Tourism web marketing is a discipline to be learned and understood by qualified and professional people.

It is no longer possible today to think of being able to offer services in the hospitality market without the use of digital platforms and tools such as booking engines and channel managers.

Not only because the OTAs are increasingly present and intrusive, managing to arrive before the small structures, but above all because customers want to discover directly the voice of the protagonists, who is behind the counter and what will be waiting for them when they arrive.

How to use the Web and Social Networks for the tourism market? 5 essential points to start from

As we have already seen, creating a digital communication strategy is not trivial.

It is necessary to know well each reality you are approaching and its characteristics.

However, there are general 'evergreen' tips and indications to follow.

How to use the web and social networks for the tourism market?

• The website: The website is your home on the web, not just a shop window or a digital brochure!
  It must be easy to navigate and modern, i.e. usable. There can no longer be a website that is not responsive, i.e. adaptable to smartphones or tablets. The percentage of people connecting on the move has overtaken those on desktops. The site must be simple for your customer and remember to eliminate excesses: NO heavy photos, music and difficulties in asking for information and booking!
• Tell people who you are, but don't blurt it out! People don't read and often don't pay attention, so knowing how to write on the web is essential.
  Good formatting of the text highlighting your strengths, characteristics and traditions. If you have a family hotel, introduce who is part of the team, have them tell you what your customers will find when they arrive.
  The main services such as rooms and breakfast are the elements that customers value most.
  Do you have good photos? Publish them and think about the right visual marketing strategy and invest a small budget, perhaps with the help of a photographer.

• Social networking and communication. A friend, cousin or geek son is not enough
  Your organisation needs professionalism. It is not easy to set up communication campaigns on social networks and the web to promote commercial activities.
  Learn to rely on those who do this for a living and I assure you that concrete results will come.
• Analyse and monitor. Still think that the trusted 'geek' is the correct answer?
  Check! Make analysis and reports: how much does your booking engine convert? How many people have clicked on your promotion? Only reliable data will confirm this. Remember that all online actions can be monitored.
• Trained and informed. It's still your business and you can't ignore this world. I advise you to attend courses and conferences on the sector, be curious and try to understand what you can gain from the world of social networks. Take advantage of online by advising your customers on possible itineraries and answering the same questions that are asked to the concierge. Why not start a blog, for example?

Also, think about the actions we take online when searching for a hotel, hotel or restaurant what actions do I take?

I go to Google and type in some keywords. And if you appear on the 2nd page (or worse) in that search and your facility is not geolocalised, what about that?

One last piece of advice is to collaborate! Team up with other local entrepreneurs to create unique experiences and boost the promotion of the area. For example, dedicated experiential packages and personalised visits.

Look around, how many hotels offer these original services online?

In conclusion, using the web and social networks for the tourism market is no longer a choice, but a necessity if you want to compete in the tourism market.

Those who have understood this are using the digital world as a weapon and competitive advantage.

What about you? What are you doing? Still leaning on the occasional 'geek' thinking it's enough to promote yourself?

Is it time to bring value and new opportunities to your business?

So you have a hotel or accommodation and you have already made some attempts with social networks and you don't know where you are going wrong?

Contact me and we'll have a nice chat together about digital communication!

If you want to learn how to use the web and social networks for the tourism market, I am at your disposal.

See you soon

Silvia Badriotto (www.silviabadriotto.it)

For more information on Nettohotel's social media marketing services and others: fill in the form, we'll call you back and we'll get to know each other, figuring out together where to start or where to improve!

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