2021 has been another topsy-turvy year for the tourism sector. Social distancing and stay-at-home orders worldwide have impacted international travel, resulting in a 50% loss in global air passenger traffic compared to two years ago.
The mobile industry, on the other hand, continues to boom. There are now 7.1 billion mobile users worldwide — more than at any time in history — and that smartphone penetration is driving the travel booking market. Hospitality businesses, therefore, should realize the enormous potential of mobile marketing as they weather the pandemic storm.
What is Mobile Marketing?
Mobile marketing is an omnichannel marketing strategy that targets consumers on their smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices. For hospitality businesses like yours, that means reaching potential tourists and travelers on their iPhone, iPad, or Samsung Galaxy.
Mobile marketing is an all-encompassing term that includes various methods and techniques. It might include:
Sending SMS notifications to customers about travel deals.
Creating a mobile app where customers book flights, hotels, and excursions.
Sending push notifications about popular travel destinations from that app.
Creating a mobile-optimized website for a hotel.
Appearing on mobile search engine results (search engine optimization or SEO).
Using mobile ads to promote travel services.
Read more: Holding onto Our Humanity in a Rapidly Changing Digital World - Part 1
What are the Main Benefits of Mobile Marketing?
Mobile marketing is powerful because over 80% of the world's population owns a mobile device. That means more people own smartphones than computers. By developing a mobile marketing strategy, you can expose your travel services to a potential audience of millions and generate more bookings and revenue.
Another benefit of mobile marketing is its cost. Sending bulk SMS messages to potential customers can be cheaper than TV or radio advertising. Plus, you can advertise your hotel or travel packages without worrying about the cost of postage or printed materials.
Mobile marketing can also make it easier for new customers to find your travel services. 69% of people use the mobile internet when they're on the move, and 46% of Americans search for information about products and services on mobile apps. Investing in SEO, social media marketing, in-app ads, or push notifications can increase bookings and encourage more people to travel in the current climate.
How to Implement Mobile Marketing Into Your Travel Business
There are various ways you can use mobile marketing. Here are some of the most popular methods:
SMS
Send SMS text notifications to mobile users with special limited-time offers to improve engagement and interest in your services. For example, you could text a code that gives 10% off a first night's stay at a hotel.
Travel Booking Apps
Travel booking apps are becoming increasingly popular as people travel again, making them one of the most effective mobile marketing methods. Customers can use them to reserve and pay for hotel rooms, flights, and travel excursions. These booking apps accounted for 19% of all travel app downloads in 2021.
Chatbots
AI-powered chatbots simulate conversations with customers on your website, reducing labor and resources in your travel business. Think of them as virtual travel agents that automate bookings, upsell travel-related services, and provide customer support with little or no human intervention. A chatbot API — the technological framework that lets you create chatbots — is the easiest way to implement this incredible technology into your organization.
Learn more about the benefits of chatbot technology for your travel business.
QR Codes
QR codes are everywhere nowadays during this post-pandemic world, whether it be in restaurants, airports, or banks. Integrating them into your travel business keeps your brand innovative and up to date with current business trends, ultimately elevating your customer journey. Customers can use these barcodes when boarding a flight, checking into a hotel, or ordering food at a restaurant. This technology can significantly improve the customer experience (CX).
Read more: How Do Chatbots Optimize My eCommerce Marketing Funnel?
How to Rise Above the Competition
The global mobile travel booking market was worth an enormous $1.06 billion in 2020, with more travel businesses than ever before offering products and services on mobile devices. Stand out from the competition with Clickatell's SMS and chatbot solutions that help you connect with customers and seamlessly move them through your sales and marketing pipelines. By integrating SMS marketing, chatbot technology, and other mobile methods into your travel business, you can boost engagement, create new channels of communication, enhance your marketing skills, and revolutionize your travel marketing during this tricky time for the industry.
New and Improved CX
With tourism, especially international travel, still lagging due to the pandemic, consider making mobile marketing one of your top priorities in 2022. With high levels of smartphone penetration, you can attract new customers to your business at an affordable cost, improve your communication strategy, and reduce any sales slump you might have experienced this year. Whether it is sending travel notifications with Clickatell’s SMS solution or two-way conversational service and support via chat with Chat Desk, Clickatell has the right service for your unique business.
Chat with Clickatell's sales team to learn how to better serve customers and put your travel business back on the map!
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