Travel SEO | Search Engine Optimisation
Search engine optimisation (SEO) should be a core component of any travel industry marketing plan. The Internet has changed travel more than any other market category. Search engines promise the potential to gain direct access to customers for free. Search engines are therefore the ultimate direct marketing channel for low cost airlines, Internet specialist travel agents and tour operators. Working in parallel with SEO, Pay per click advertising typically offers access the consumer at much lower costs than any other media. Simply Clicks recommends an integrated approach to travel marketing that encompasses both organic and paid versions of search.
Travel SEO in Perspective
With few exceptions, travel industry marketing has tended to lag other industries such as FMCG or financial services in the development of its marketing disciplines. The Internet is different and the leaders in the travel industry are pioneering the development of this crucial distribution channel. Travel SEO is the most valuable tool for gaining access to targeteds consumer on the Internet.
Travel Industry Marketing
David Burdon has a background in travel industry marketing stretching back to 1993. This includes Stena Line, where he was responsible for building a retail brand leader in ferry travel and motoring holidays, and Cosmosair, where he created the Somewhere2stay brand. The latter is now a £40 million turnover standalone business.
David has spoken on online marketing at several travel industry events. These include Eye4travel, the Travel Technology Initiative (TTI), CIMTIG (the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group) and the Travel Technology Show. A copy of his latest presentation from the 2007 show can be found here: Blog, Forums, Articles and Social Media. He spoke on SEO for hotels at the Irish Hospitality and Tourism Conference held in Dublin in May. The event was entitled Smile 2007.
Travel Clients
Simply Clicks has worked on travel industry SEO with a number of companies associated with the travel and hospitality. These include:
- Starwood Hotel - Italian Luxury hotels.
- Global Travel - Caribbean holidays.
- Go Travel - Dubai luxury holidays.
- The George in Rye - One of the leading hotels in Rye, Sussex.
- The Glenlo Abbey Hotel - A prestigious 5 star hotel in Galway, Ireland.
- The Zetter Hotel - A London boutique hotel in Clerkenwell.
- The Pass - A specialist Group Travel magazine.
- Goodwood Travel - Specialists in events such as the Monaco Grand Prix.
Travel marketing has been transformed by search engine marketing .... The roles of travel principal, tour operator and travel agent are now indistinguishable to the typical consumer.... Travel SEO and pay per click advertising are now key marketing tools for communicating with the new travel consumer.
