Since summer time is the peak travelling time for people, this is the chance for restaurant managers to make the most out of this opportunity. Tourists bring in a lot of business, because they are keen on trying new things to eat, especially if it’s authentic, local food. Here is how restaurant owners and managers can really up their marketing game by using these restaurant marketing strategies during summer when tourism is at its highest.
1. Using social media
This strategy cannot be emphasised enough. Before planning trips people do a lot of research online, especially on social media platforms. They will collect information on the best places to visit in the destinations, things to try and most important restaurants to dine at. Your restaurant should have very attractive social media pages such as on Facebook and Instagram. You can do this by taking tempting pictures of your food that will lure in the customers. Another great marketing tact that can be employed is using the advertising options on these social media platforms. Facebook advertising is one of them that will enable you to target a specific type of customer i.e. tourists. So when these people step into the local area they will start getting ads for your restaurant which will increase the probability of them checking it out. While it may cost you, it is definitely worth the investment.
2. Having an authentic vibe
Whenever people visit new destinations, they will look for that complete local experience. You can give them that with your restaurant, by training the staff to be hospitable, and setting up the décor in a certain way to really channel the local atmosphere. Not only will this make the customers feel like they are having an authentic experience, but they will be sure to spread the word about your restaurant to everyone.
3. Collect great reviews
One of the popular restaurant marketing ideas and trends are thriving on good reviews. Once your restaurant starts to get more popular, it will collect some great reviews on travel platforms such as Zomato, Tripadvisor and Yelp. Even if you have not personally set up a profile on these platforms, chances are it will be there regardless. These pages are highly used to find the best restaurants in town, so it is a great tool to build a reputation. This means that you should operate these pages closely and keep an eye on what people are saying about your restaurant. You can even reply to the reviews occasionally as that really humanizes the whole customer service experience. No matter how the reviews are, always respond with kindness.
4. Partner up with a concierge
Another business that is extremely popular during tourist season is the hotel industry. There will be a lot of people going in and out of the local hotels, and you can use this to your advantage. Whenever people need to ask something about where they are, chances are they will approach the hotel concierge first. This has become one of the best restaurant marketing strategies, with concierges partnering up with the local business owners in order to drive more customers to them. This may cost you a bit too; however, the amount of referrals you will be getting will make up for the cost in no time.
These strategies are bound to work in your favour if they are executed in a proper fashion. Remember, you can really benefit from the tourist season and it is important that you make the most out of this situation.
