If you own a travel agency, you’ll be more than aware of what a competitive space the industry has turned into. With the rise of easy to use travel apps such as SkyScanner and Kayak, traditional travel agencies have seen a decline in sales across the board.

So, how do you compete and remain relevant in this constantly evolving sector? And where do you even begin with changing your strategy?

Let’s find out.

1.   Tap into Your Customer Data

As a travel agency, you are probably sitting on a ton of valuable customer data. You can use this data as a basis to develop offers, create content, and target new customers.

Using multiple applications to store your data? Consider investing in quality data integration tools so your data can be merged into one easy to access platform.

2.   Get Social

Whether you do your social media yourself or hire an expert, it’s time to up your game in this department if you want to stay relevant, increase awareness, and boost your sales. Travel content on social media should inspire people to want to book with you.

You need a visually pleasing Instagram account, and a Facebook page with content that evokes that holiday feeling. And the best part is you can put measures in place to track which social media campaigns are driving sales. Hire a social media expert if you’re clueless in this area.

Social media is also a great place for individuals to reach out to you with any queries. Start connecting with your customers to show that you’re a reliable business and you care.  

3. Get Visible

When it comes to travel plans, the first port of call for most customers is a Google search. So first things first, you need to make sure you have a strong web presence. People will be searching for reviews from other customers, so you need to make sure you have some positive ones.

Don’t be afraid to ask your customers to leave you a review. This will go a long way in convincing potential customers to book with you. 

You also need to make sure that your site is easy to find for users searching for travel agencies online. How? Get an SEO expert to perform an audit of your site and optimise it so it ranks higher in the search engine pages. You should also create blog content which will bring in more traffic to your site.

4. Add More Value Than Anyone Else

In this highly competitive sector, you need to work extra hard to make sure your offering stands out. Keep a close eye on what your competition is doing in terms of offers and pricing, and try to add in a benefit which would incentivise customers to book with you instead of them.

For instance, can you increase the value of your proposition by throwing in a free tour or discounted travel insurance? Think about what added benefit could convince someone to book through you. 

5. Specialise

If you own a small or boutique travel agency, you’ll know how easy it is to get lost among the bigger players. If you want to stand out from the crowd as a smaller travel agency, you should pick a niche area and become the absolute best in it.

For instance, you could focus on specific regions or activities. If you’re an expert in these areas, people will naturally start to think of you when they want to go to that destination or take part in that experience.