How Can Tourism Businesses Use TikTok?

For tourism businesses, TikTok opens great opportunities to reach the younger generation. What’s most important is showcasing your business’s personality and offerings.

• If you’re a destination, show the beauty of it. If your staff want to replicate a TikTok dance routine, use your destination as a focal, attention-grabbing backdrop.
• If you’re an establishment, think of handy hacks that you can portray in a short and snappy video. For example, a coffee shop could showcase different clips of latte art, or how to make the perfect coffee.
• Or, you could make like Seventeen and NBC Universal and think of clever mini shows to host. These could be quick interviews, or a regular series of ‘what’s new in this week’, to keep viewers interested and coming back for more.

The time is now for tourism brands to dive into TikTok’s booming platform. By showcasing destinations and travel experiences, businesses can encourage TikTok users to save their posts and pay them a visit on their next getaway.

Here are some tips for getting the most out of the platform:

Show Off Your Location Visually

TikTok is built for short-form videos, making it the ideal channel for visually promoting locations. Post stunning footage highlighting your destination’s scenery, landmarks, local culture, hotels, cuisine, and attractions. Use creative transitions and effects to add flair. Your videos should inspire viewers to envision themselves experiencing your location.

Encourage User Generated Content

Leverage TikTok’s influence by encouraging travellers to create their own videos showcasing your destination or services. User Generated Content is one of the most effective forms of digital marketing, harnessing it for brand authenticity and credibility.

Provide a Behind-the-Scenes Look

Give viewers insider access they can’t get elsewhere by using TikTok to provide a behind-the-scenes peek at your offerings. Short videos of staff prepping experiences, exclusive amenities, or hidden spots help build anticipation and excitement.

Share Local Stories and Travel Tips

Tap into TikTok’s love of micro-storytelling by highlighting local legends, histories, and intriguing travel tips. Quickly share your best recommendations on navigating the location. This type of insider knowledge helps establish your brand as an authority.

Run Engaging Contests and Promotions

Incentivise engagement and bookings by running TikTok contests and sweepstakes. Encourage sign-ups, follows, and UGC creation through giveaways and prizes. Interactive challenges and collaborations with influencers also work well.

Dive into TikTok Trends and Challenge

Every week, new trends and challenges emerge on TikTok. Incorporate popular music, dances, or themes into your videos, aligning them with your tourism offerings. For instance, if there's a trend about sunrises, share a video of the sunrise at your prime location.

Collaborate with Influencers

TikTok influencers have substantial sway over their followers. Partner with them to showcase your destination or offerings. Their endorsements can introduce your brand to wider audiences and potentially increase bookings.

Host Interactive Sessions and Q&A

Go live on TikTok and engage directly with your audience. Answer queries about travel packages, safety protocols, peak seasons, or any other relevant topics.

Key Takeaways

TikTok, with its vast and engaged user base, offers tourism businesses a unique platform to showcase their offerings and connect with a global audience. By embracing the platform's dynamics and creatively integrating it into their marketing strategies, tourism businesses can witness a boost in engagement, brand visibility, and bookings. So, get started, create compelling content, and let the world see the wonders you offer!

Sources: Wallaroo Media, Influencer Marketing Hub, Mediakix, Hypeauditor