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Website
- Ensure that you have updated your product details with Fáilte Ireland and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board for www.discoverireland.ie and www.discovernorthernireland.com as these websites feed the discoverireland.com international suite of websites which had 13 million unique visitors in 2009. Ensure that the images you supply are doing your product justice and are selling your wonderful location or product adequately. e.g. include the view as well as the exterior of your B&B; show the people involved in your business.
- Update your website regularly and include any special offers.
- Include a link on your website to local attractions, festivals and events (this may be the hook required to bring visitors to your accommodation.
CRM - Customer Relationship Management
- Keep your consumer database up-to-date and correspond with your visitors on any new developments ,e.g. send them St. Patrick’s Day cards & Christmas or New Year cards
- Incentivise previous customers to refer their friends to your business
- Ask your visitors to post their positive comments on TripAdvisor/ Facebook/Twitter
- Ask permission from your visitors to put their testimonials on your website
Working in partnership
- Establish alliances with other industry producers in your area to offer dynamic packages e.g: (accommodation & activities & festivals & dining)
- Inform tour operators you deal with in advance of any good festivals in your area and provide them with interesting packages especially for the off-season
- Don’t forget your business cards and brochures when you attend any networking events
- For those in the Republic of Ireland familiarise yourself with the promotionsireland.ie website to register for overseas promotions. Industry in Northern Ireland should contact the relevant Tourism Ireland market office to sign up
- Register on www.tourismireland.com/industryopportunites to view a range of activity carried out in Tourism Ireland overseas offices and how to get involved
- Build Relationships with Tourism Ireland overseas market office staff & keep them updated on any new developments
- Build relationships with your local Regional Tourism contacts
E-marketing
Make the most of your attributes
- Define your USPs ( Unique selling points) and don't be shy about selling them
- Ensure that all staff in your business are aware of the SHINE values (www.irelandshines.com) and are delivering on the SHINE behaviours
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