Since the coronavirus pandemic broke out, it has put a heavy strain on physical contact. This has resulted in a restriction in movement or a total halt in some places.

One industry that has been greatly affected by the need to restrict movement and maintain social distance is the travel and tourism industry. An Economic Impact Report (EIR) from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) stated that the global Travel & Tourism sector in 2020 suffered a loss of US$4.5 trillion as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A year later, the unprecedented level of anxiety and economic uncertainty within the industry persists. However, tourist businesses are now forced to re-examine their fundamental strategies for brand survival. One way to achieve this is by showing gratitude to old and potential customers in this period of social distancing.

Now let’s consider a few ways your tour brand can show gratitude.

How Tourism Brands Can Show Gratitude

In A Period Of Social Distancing

Illustration by freepik

Offer a Service “on the Brand” 

We have all felt the impact of the pandemic in more ways than one. It is only natural that we are focused on our individual losses. But an amazing gesture will be to reach out to customers now and offer a service at no cost. Offering a free service can help them adjust during this difficult period. 

For your tourism brand, you can also take such initiative to offer a free service. For instance, let customers know of package deals with a free service when tours open up again.

You can throw in a free tour guide, boat rides, meals, or spar treatment. Offering more for less right now lets the customers know you are grateful for past businesses. And that your brand is with them even in these difficult times.

They will truly appreciate the gesture and stay loyal to your brand.

Highlight Interviews or Videos of Employees and Customer Experiences

Another way to show gratitude during this period of social distancing is by experience sharing. It gives your tourism brand a human face. Create short videos from management and employees letting the customers know what your brand has been up to. Also, send your best wishes and let them know how much you have missed them. Let the customers know you appreciate them and can’t wait to continue business with them soon.

You can also ask the customers to send videos or conduct a video chat to share their personal experiences. It helps create and share a deep sense of optimism and perseverance. These videos can be posted via your social media blog posts or media releases. They are an excellent means to tell your brand’s story. It is a great form of personalized content that lets the customer know you see them, even when they are not physically present.

PS. Remember to always get a customer’s consent before sharing these videos.

Reach Out by Posting Fresh Content on your Website

One significant aspect of social distancing is that customers now rely heavily on online content. Visiting a business’s website is one of the first ports of call for a customer to get the latest information on your brand. So you can reach out to them by posting new and informative content that reflects the state of the pandemic.

Try to post topical content and actionable guides on layoff, mental health, finances, etc. These are issues most people are dealing with at the moment.

You can likewise create an FAQ section for your website. The FAQs help provide all updates and answers the customer might need regarding your brand and the current travel and tour situation. Sharing such information educates your customers and is one of the rewarding ways to show gratitude.

The more fresh and creative your content is, the better. You readers will love the effort no matter how little.

Create Hashtag and Reward Campaigns

The use of hashtags has been a thing on multiple social media platforms for over a decade now. You can use hashtags to create a buzz around a topic that could interest people.

For instance, you can ask your audience to use the #WhatIMissAboutTravel or #PlacesIWillLikeToTour and share creative photos or essays around such topics.

To spice it up, you can attach a reward to the most creative posts. You can also make it more fun by asking your audience to create suitable hashtags, and the winning tag gets a reward. These are fun ways to engage your customers and occupy their minds while they are socially distancing.

It is also a chance for your brand to show gratitude.

Conclusion

There is no denying that times are hard for tourism businesses, especially the small and medium brands. Yet, showing gratitude during a period of social distancing can help sustain your customer loyalty and brand. It might be a difficult task to execute, considering the economic impact of things. But you can start with a little, like a simple thank you note and online posts appreciating your staff and customers. 

As your tour brand finds ways to prioritize showing gratitude, I hope you are inspired to apply these tips.

Love, gratitude, and goodwill!