The coronavirus outbreak has brought so much uncertainty into economies around the world today. Governments are imposing strict social distancing measures and restricting businesses from performing their day to day functions in order to curb the spread of the deadly virus. While businesses and the government are working in tandem, a vital industry that is hit by this commotion in Singapore is the hospitality industry. This is one of the biggest challenges it has faced in its 56-year-old history.
With the world coming to a standstill, how is the industry coping with it?
The tourism, travel, aviation and hospitality industries thrive on one and one thing only – people. The impact of COVID-19 on these industries in Singapore has already seen a 25-35% decline in the visitors that come into the country and we are not even halfway through the year. Even though there are some relaxations in place around the world, it is going to take a lot of time for the word ‘normalcy’ to start to make sense. The first priority of these sectors is to keep its staff, the people and its guests safe and secure from the repercussions.
How can these sectors market themselves during the crisis?
COVID-19 will definitely leave the hospitality sector badly wounded and the industry will not be the same even after the lockdowns and travel restrictions have been lifted. But hoteliers can’t afford to follow the same modes of operation once all this ends. They must adopt survival strategies against COVID-19. This calls for looking at new marketing methods and offering new types of discounts in a post-COVID-19 world. Necessity is the mother of all inventions and desperate situations call for desperate measures.
The best way for Singapore’s hospitality industry to keep the business afloat and bounce back from the losses is to use a new and improved marketing strategy to suit the current needs.
For example, for a restaurant owner whose business has no customers coming in through the door, the only way they can mitigate against the losses is by going online i.e. through online delivery. They can use digital marketing to attract customers to buy from them online. This is just one of the many ways in which digital marketing can help businesses.
With the online consumption of data increasing and more people spending time online, it is the right time for restaurants and businesses in the hospitality industry to increase brand awareness, thereby increasing sales.
If you are one such business owner, take this time to:
- Redo or refurbish your brand’s website
- Start delivering online
- Increase brand awareness via social media campaigns
- Help customers to pre-book services for post-lockdown
It is important that businesses strive for higher engagement than ever before.
- Interact with your audience through your social media channels and educate them about the steps your business is taking to tackle the crisis now. This helps in creating the customer’s trust in your brand.
- Give them a virtual tour of your store, make it easier for them to shop online and directly improve your sales.
- Make sure they are aware that your staff is also taking the necessary precautions before coming to work. This solidifies the fact that you take your client’s health very seriously.
- Give them a sneak peek into your post-COVID-19 situation and the plans you have in place for the future to safeguard your premises, employees and your customers.
Moreover, by implementing these marketing practices and assuring them that your brand will always be by their side, you can convert your viewers into loyal customers even after the crisis ends. Remember that the sector is only down, not out. Be aware of what you can do to make it profitable even in these circumstances.
Would you like to talk to our experts to see how we can help your business bounce back? We are Let’s Good Social, a contemporary digital marketing company with integrated solutions driven by actionable insights. Click the button below and reach out to us by leaving your details. Our marketing expert will get in touch with you as soon as possible. We are in this together. Let’s rise up together.
