A few years back, around 2016, it would be different if you have a bit of knowledge in Digital Marketing. While others are competing with each other to get the great sales location with the busiest street front view, others are getting millions through online sales. Not many people back then have known Digital Marketing thoroughly as it is today, low costs but highly effective.
The online competitions are getting tougher day by day
“In a day, you watch Youtube, slide through your Facebook, you will see endless ads from different businesses in the same industry?” – It’s the question Laevis Nguyen has always asked in all the seminars I attended, and receiving the same answer over and over again:
– Way too many to remember!
That is true. When people are all running for ads, conversion rates surely will fall. Businesses are alone, and do not know how to make a difference, making their ads unique. There are associations, civil organizations have had and still are collaborating with Digital Marketing experts to re-educate the market on how to make the difference for each business.
Then the COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the economy, making tourism businesses as well as restaurants, hotels and travel agencies suffer.
The Creative Tourism advertising in the digital age workshop – solving issues post COVID-19 pandemic held by Google and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism
Creative Tourism Advertising in the digital age – solving issues post COVID-19
Saving is certain, but how to make sure your business is still present online with the lowest budget you can manage, and be approachable, attract the right target audience online? On July 9th in Ho Chi Minh City, Laevis Nguyen had a chance to meet up with 200 SME businesses who attended the “Creative Tourism Advertising in the digital age’’ workshop held by Google and Ho Chi Minh Department of Tourism.
“Digital advertising is the new trend in this modern age. Post Covid-19 pandemic, it will eventually become essential and superb effective. The managers and salespeople in tourism industry have to change their minds and their approach to adapt and maximize the effectiveness in the advertising game” – Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu said – the Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism.
Mr. Bui Ta Hoang Vu, the director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism stated that tourism businesses have to adapt and change in this digital age and overcome this downside of the economy.
According to Phocuswright research: Global Travel Market Research, the Asia and Asia Pacific (APAC) Tourism market has been on the top of the board compared to North America and the European, predicting strong growth in the year 2020. Nevertheless, all the predictions are completely at fault due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing world wide social distancing and putting a temporary hold on unnecessary travelling. From airlines to travel agencies, and other related F&B services are suffering. The tense atmosphere was swept away by Laevis Nguyen and the other speaker from Hanoi – Mr. Tran Bui Xuan
Speaking of how to create and keep the businesses present online through free tools, we cannot skip Google My Business and Youtube – the video channel with 98% users around the world. These are the 2 basic tools, free but unique and can keep SME businesses to approach billions potential users world wide.
Mrs. Ha Lam Tu Quynh – the Director of communication and PR of the Vietnam market from Google Asia – Asia Pacific has also provided a set of impressive statistical data: “ Social distancing time has changed the way end-user searches and approaches data. The Google keywords show positive signals to the Vietnam tourism industry post social distancing in late April and during the month of June. The search volume on tourism has doubled compared to March, although is 20% lower than last June 2019.
Mr. Laevis Nguyen – the speaker has shared the importance of being on search engines and other SEO methods.
Businesses need to create their own Google My Business and Youtube Channel
With the same criteria, in the first session, Mr. Laevis Nguyen has shared with businesses about Digital Marketing tools, especially Google my Business: helps create free websites and help boost its presence on Google search. Then Mr. Tran Bui Xuan – the speaker shared how businesses can produce basic video but still approachable to customers and maintain the connection with them.
Mr. Tran Dang Dang Khoa – the backpacker who travelled the world in 1111 days also attended as a living proof for the benefit Google My Business has brought him. In the Q&A, he also talked about his experiences in places he had been to, the need to search Google Maps and Google search is essential and all businesses he visited are on Google My Business and knew how to work their way around it.
The Backpacker with 1111 days around the world has received numerous questions on his journey
A participant who also a Rex Hotel representative also agreed how important it is to be searchable on the internet has helped travelers find them: “In this 4.0 era, the travelers’ approach has changed accordingly. The tourists use “contactless’’ services, therefore the search rate is likely to be changed. This is also a chance for F&B business to introduce their services through the internet.’’ – a Hotel representative stated.
Pictures from the “Creative Tourism Advertising in the digital age’’ workshop held by Google and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism
