Online Boost for TT Tourism

How do you make Trinidad and Tobago’s hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, stand out from their regional competitors? One sure way is by way of a strong online presence, including having a user-friendly website, information on why a traveller would benefit from choosing your establishment over any other, and of course, being on page one of internet search results.

These and other tips about online tourism marketing skills were shared with local stakeholders during the Tourism Development Company’s (TDC) second annual “Mini Trade Show for Online Travel Agents.”

This year’s event was held at Hilton Trinidad on August 28 and included a presentation on “Excellence in Hospitality” by Karen Lynn Dixon of Hummingbird Global. During her presentation, Dixon spoke of simple yet effective ways to provide “five-star customer service at a three-star hotel.”

Having introduced herself as a “luxury tourism expert, professional globetrotter, as well as a food and travel journalist,” Dixon cited various examples of how to achieve the five-star experience, then stayed back after the seminar had ended, to speak one-on-one with those who requested more information.

Notably, that knowing who you are as a business, appreciating how your location can enhance a tourist’s experience, and providing personalized touches for each guest, all adds up to glowing reviews and often, repeat business.

“Embrace the legacy of your destination. Invite your guest to be a part of your story. You can incorporate local phrases in signs around your hotel or bed and breakfast, so your guest feels like their experiencing the local culture, not just staying in any random hotel.”

“Use local sweets as welcome gifts rather than generic chocolates on their pillows. Things like that are what make you stand out in a good, memorable way. Leaving a trinket for them to take back home is also a great way to remind your guests of the fun they had at your hotel,” Dixon shared.

She “drove home” her point about the power of a personalized touch in getting someone to re-book at a less luxurious hotel by telling the group about her own experience at a popular hotel in Tobago.

“Coco Reef Tobago isn’t considered to be five-star, yet I felt like a five-star guest because of the friendly staff and the welcoming touches. The best part was walking into my room and finding a wooden name plaque on my closet which read ‘Lynn Dixon Suite’. It was decorated simply but beautifully and I get to take that home with me. It’s a great way to make your guest feel catered for as they would in a luxury hotel, while not necessarily having all of the five-star amenities,” Dixon stated.

The TDC seminar was also attended by international tour operators, travel agents and online travel wholesalers such as Expedia, Orbitz, Booking.Com and Travelocity.

Local hoteliers, travel agents and tour operators were given feedback on how to better market their individual businesses online while helping to promote TT as a destination for culture, cuisine, flora and fauna, not just as another Caribbean beach getaway.

At the same time, Expedia and other online booking services had the opportunity to gain a greater understanding of TT’s tourism product and how they could work with the TDC and local stakeholders alike “to increase the number of local hotels which partner with international tour operators/travel agents and increase the number of local rooms available online,” the TDC stated.

Source: Newsday (Trinidad & Tobago)