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In today’s competitive travel market, travelers are looking for companies to provide a seamless, hassle-free experience from start to finish. From booking a flight to planning an itinerary, customers expect a flawless journey with no surprises. They expect prompt and courteous service to resolve the issue if something goes wrong. 

93% of consumers are more likely to make repeat purchases with companies that provide excellent customer service.

The travel industry is booming, and there are countless opportunities for businesses within the space to connect with customers and drive sales. SMS marketing is a powerful tool that can reach travelers at any stage of their travels, from initial research to post-trip follow-up. 

There are several reasons why SMS marketing is well suited to the travel industry. First, it is an immediate and direct communication that can reach customers quickly and easily. Second, SMS messaging is highly personal and customized to each customer. More importantly, SMS marketing is cost-effective, making it an attractive option for travel businesses of all sizes.

Here are six ways that businesses in the travel industry can make use of SMS marketing: 

1. Sending booking confirmations and updates

Travel companies can use SMS as a channel to notify customers about their bookings confirmations, cancellations, and last-minute travel changes. Travelers can receive SMS updates about their reservations when they book a trip. If there are changes to the itinerary, SMS notifications give travelers enough time to make adjustments. SMS can also send reminders about upcoming travel plans. 

For example, if a customer is scheduled to take a flight in two days, they will receive an SMS reminder with the flight information and a link to check in online. By using SMS, the travel agencies can provide customers with up-to-date information about their travel plans and ensures a positive experience. When used effectively, SMS can help to streamline the travel experience and make it more convenient for businesses and customers.

2. Reminding customers about important booking deadlines

In the travel industry, keeping customers informed about booking deadlines and other important information is essential. The problem is that customers often juggle multiple reservations and can quickly lose track of crucial details. 

That’s where SMS marketing comes in. By sending timely reminders directly to customers’ phones, businesses in the travel industry can help ensure that customers have all the information they need to make their trip successful. And because SMS messages have a high open rate, businesses can be confident that customers will see their message. SMS marketing is essential for keeping customers informed and engaged in a fast-paced industry like travel.

3. Responding to crises

Travel industry professionals know all too well that a crisis can strike anytime, often with little warning. From natural disasters to political unrest, there is a multitude of potential threats that can disrupt travel plans. When these situations arise, travel businesses need to have a plan in place for how to communicate with customers and keep them informed.

SMS marketing can be an extremely effective tool for responding to crises. Because text messages can be sent quickly and efficiently to large groups of people, they can be used to provide timely updates on developing situations. Moreover, SMS messages have a high open rate, meaning customers are likelier to see and read them. In a crisis, when every minute counts, this is especially important.

Travel businesses can use SMS marketing to respond to crises in several ways. For example, airlines can use SMS messages to share flight cancellations or delays with customers. Tourism agencies can use them to provide updates on evacuation procedures in the event of an emergency. And tour operators can use them to inform customers of itinerary changes or safety concerns in destination countries. By using SMS marketing, businesses in the travel industry can ensure that their customers always have the latest information.

4. Triggering location-based messages about nearby attractions

Travel companies can use SMS marketing to send location-based messages with information about nearby attractions or restaurants. Integrating SMS with GPS technology can facilitate this functionality. When customers opt-in to receive SMS messages from a travel company, they can be asked to approve the company to track their location. 

Once the customer’s location is known, the company can send them SMS messages with information about nearby attractions or restaurants. This service is invaluable to time-crunched travelers since it can help them plan their trips more effectively and make the most of their time while traveling. Furthermore, it can also help increase customer loyalty, as they will appreciate the extra effort the company has taken to provide them with helpful information.

5. Offering exclusive experiences to customers

Travel businesses can use SMS marketing to offer exclusive experiences or bonus perks to customers who book via text message. These could include discounted rates at certain hotels or early access to popular tourist attractions. By offering these incentives, businesses can encourage more people to initiate travel plans through SMS. 

6. Receiving customer feedback

SMS provides a quick and easy way for customers to let businesses know how they are doing. For example, SMS can be used to collect feedback on everything from hotel stays to tour experiences. By sending a simple text message to customers after their holiday or trip, businesses can prompt them to leave a review or rating. Additionally, SMS allows companies to respond quickly to customer feedback, which is essential in the travel industry.

Customers are likelier to continue doing business with companies that listen to their concerns. SMS also allows businesses to collect customer feedback at scale, which is essential for understanding customer needs and opinions. Travel businesses can then use that feedback to improve the quality of service.

In Conclusion

Although the travel industry often overlooks SMS marketing, it can be a priceless tool for providing seamless communication and redefining customer experiences. By using SMS marketing in conjunction with other digital marketing strategies, travel companies can create a more personalized experience for their customers that will keep them coming back for more.