The Importance of SEO and Digital Marketing in the Travel Industry
04Mar
The travel industry has a big economic impact on countries like Nepal. In 2015, it has suffered a lot because of a devastating earthquake. Travelers stayed away from the country, travel agencies shut down, and hundreds of people were left without a job. Three years later, Nepal has recovered, and the government has declared 2018 as “Visit Nepal Year”. The goal is to attract about one million tourists. It’s an ambitious goal but not impossible.
With the help of Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), it’s easier to attract more travelers. But exactly how can OTAs increase the popularity of the mountain country in the virtual world? The answer lies in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and digital marketing.
Table of Contents
Four Micro-Moments in Traveling
Google has divided travel moments into four important parts: dreaming moments, planning moments, booking moments, and experiencing moments. In each moment, travelers use the search engine to gather information and read reviews. OTAs in Nepal can take advantage of these moments by using SEO strategies and digital marketing, increasing their online visibility, and exposing themselves to eager travelers.
Dreaming Moments At this stage, travelers are starting to look for a place where they can travel to for their next holiday. The role of travel websites is to provide rich content that will help them visualize what they’ll experience when they travel to Nepal. Using long tail SEO strategies are effective. Target specific phrases that fit the services you offer.
Planning Moments Once travelers have made the decision to travel to Nepal, they will start planning their travel. This usually happens a month or less before the actual trip. According to Expedia, travelers visit an average of 38 websites during this stage. You need a content that stands out from the rest.
Booking Moments The plan has been laid down, and travelers are ready to go. When booking for transportation, customers are all looking at user experience. Focus your SEO strategy on your brand. You need to convince them that you are someone they can trust. Use specific keywords so that you’ll rank well and become visible they search for flights.
Experiencing Moments Now that they’ve arrived in Nepal, your task is to ensure that they find the exact information they need to explore Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Mt. Everest, and more. This stage is all about sharing great experiences, connecting with people, and giving positive reviews.
Conclusion
In order to succeed as an OTA, you need to be at the top of the SERP, and you have to provide useful and relevant information. Give travelers what they need in each travel moment.