There have been a number of warning signs that it will be a tough year for the Alaska tourism industry in 2009. I’ve seen significant drops in traffic for many of my clients during the fall months. On the positive side, I’ve seen an increase in traffic after the holidays.
If you are an Alaskan tourism business, now is the time to get serious about your Internet marketing strategies. Since many of the large cruise ship companies are slashing prices, it may be time to offer significant discounts on your trips.
Here are few ideas for expanding your reach on the web:
- Review your website’s performance. Evaluate the effectiveness of your campaigns (Pay per Click, etc.). Are there opportunities to try new programs? Ways to save money on your PPC campaigns? If you are not tracking your website statistics already, then get started with Google Analytics (its free!).
- Experiment with social media sites: Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, etc.
- If you don’t already have one, consider starting a blog. Highlight the unique features of your location in Alaska, and your business.
- Interact with others on blogs, travel forums, etc. Offer genuine advice and options for travelers. Interact with past customers.
- If you correspond with your past customers, ask them to provide reviews and links to your site. Positive reviews and links are extremely valuable.
