The first reason customers participate in activity and tour experiences is to have fun. But there’s a clear second reason, and that’s to get a photo or video of their experience.
Today, the act of getting and sharing photos of experiences is the number one reason why guests purchase activities and tours.
This leaves an opportunity for tour and activity operators to stand out from their competition, simply by providing their customers with free tour photos.
Tourism businesses have a significant opportunity to increase inquiries and generate new bookings by enhancing their tour marketing efforts through free tour photos.
Tour and activity operators can use free tour photos to drive up the quality and quantity of online reviews, improve the guest experience so they stand out from their local competitors, as well as increase the number of referral and repeat bookings.
How to use free tour photos to drive business
Considering the importance of photos to today’s consumer, activity and tour operators have an opportunity to improve their tour marketing plan by sending their customers free photos.
So, how can brands make use of free photos to create calls to action that convert new business?
This process starts by simply communicating that free tour photos and videos are included at no charge. This will ensure your brand differentiates itself in the market, since tourism businesses typically try to sell photos to their customers.
Often for tourists, this narrows their choices down to one of two options - and many people don’t want to pay for something they could have easily asked the guide to take on their mobile phone.
Imagine you were a tourist. When a guest is choosing between two similar activities and one provider promotes free photos while the competitor will be happy to sell you photos of your experience for $29.95, which one would you choose?
That’s right, the free option. By providing free tour photos to your customers, you enable your brand to stand out in what is a highly-competitive industry.
We're seeing an increasing number of businesses recognize that providing free photos is a competitive differentiator for them when competing with nearby tourism businesses.
To get the most value from offering free photos we recommend promoting the offer in several locations and at multiple times during the guests interaction through your marketing and sales operations.
Some examples in where you can advertise free tour photos, include:
- On your website home page.
- Near every book now button.
- During all phone inquiries, it should be mentioned "photos are provided and are free".
- During walk-ins and when guests are checking in.
- Included and prevalent in all social accounts.
- In your review page descriptions.
- In your booking confirmation email.
Remember, in today’s world if a tourist didn’t get a photo of their experience it’s almost as if the experience never happened.
For tourism businesses that truly understand and empathize with their client’s perceptions, free photos is a critical offering.
Businesses that promote free photos reap the benefits of converting more leads and inquiries to bookings, they do this by meeting their customer’s expectations and differentiating themselves from their competition.
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of offering free tour photos, and how Fotaflo can help you do so seamlessly? Book a demo today.
