Do you own a tourism business? Are you looking to become part of this industry in the near future?
If you answered yes to either question, you know one thing to be true: you want to make as many bookings as possible, as this will help push your business forward with regards to both customers and revenue.
While there are many ways to bring more customers to your tourism business, some companies overlook the most basic of strategies.
For example, the use of booking software can go a long way in helping boost both bookings and revenue.
With the travel and tourism industry accounting for an economic contribution of more than $7 trillion in 2017 alone, it’s easy to see that the opportunity for big time growth is there. You simply need to take advantage.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at a few of the many ways that booking software can help generate more business:
1. Online Booking
Do you remember the days when customers had to visit you in person or call on the phone to make a reservation?
While these options still exist in today’s world, it’s important that you provide online booking 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ensures that you never miss out on the opportunity to make a sale.
Tip: With the help of booking software, you never have to worry about overbooking. The system will take care of everything for you.
With 80% of travelers booking outside of regular business hours, a 24/7 system is no longer an option, it’s an absolute must.
2. Automated Follow-Ups
There is nothing more exciting than taking a reservation. This proves that your business model works. And of course, it helps you reach all your revenue goals.
However, you don’t want to stop there. It’s always a good idea to stay in touch with past customers, as this can help you grow your business in the future.
With booking software, you can activate follow-up emails to thank your clients, provide additional information, and prompt them to leave a Trip Advisor review.
Remember this: 88 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
This proves the importance of generating as many positive online reviews as possible. The right booking software can give you a boost in this area of your business.
3. Track Your Growth
It’s one thing to know that you are booking new business. It’s another thing entirely to understand the numbers associated with your company.
High-powered booking software makes it simple for you to track both offline and online revenue. Taking this a step further, you can export financial data to spreadsheets (and other applications) for more accurate accounting.
It’s good to see your company growing in regards to the number of bookings and revenue, but you really want to understand why this is happening so that you can continue to push forward in the right direction.
Tracking your growth will give you a better understanding of what is and is not working.
4. Automated Booking Confirmations
There is nothing more stressful for a traveler than a lack of organization. You don’t want to contribute to this.
Using booking software allows you to provide automated booking confirmations. You don’t have to spend any time writing emails or making phone calls. The system will send an email with all the most important details, ensuring that your customer has everything they need to put their mind at ease. This allows them to focus solely on the positive experience you will provide.
Conclusion
It can be extremely rewarding to run a tourism business, but only if you have a system in place that keeps you organized and allows you to grow.
There are many types of technology that can help you reach your goals, with booking software at the top of the list. Once you have the right software guiding your business, it’s easier to perform in an efficient and productive manner.
Do you own a tourism business? Have you missed out in the past due to a lack of booking software? Have you used this technology to your advantage? Share your experiences in the comment section below.