Building trust with your customers is crucial when it comes to booking travel. With so many options out there, trust can be the deciding factor between securing a booking or losing out. This is especially true in Europe, where savvy travellers place a lot of value on recommendations and reviews. So, how do you build that all-important trust in your travel business?
Let’s explore some of the latest trends and statistics to help you connect with your customers and stand out from the competition.
Word-of-mouth and reviews are pretty powerful
Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful tools for amplifying your brand. Whether through personal recommendations or online reviews, people are heavily influenced by the experiences of others, particularly in the travel industry. For instance, a friend’s bad experience with a hotel can often be more convincing than any marketing campaign.
A recent survey found that 91% of consumers regularly or occasionally read online reviews when searching for local businesses, including travel services. And according to another study, 56% of consumers change their perspective on a business based on how the business responded to a review.
With these statistics in mind, it’s no surprise that social media also plays a huge role in customers’ decision-making processes. Statista reveals that 75% of travellers are inspired to visit new destinations after seeing photos on social media.
So how can you boost your bookings by using the magic gem that is peer to peer endorsement?
Ways you can build trust through reviews
1. Proactively Collect Feedback
Sending post-trip surveys or follow-up emails can really bump up the number of reviews you get. Tripadvisor says that businesses that actively ask for reviews see a 10-20% increase in their average ratings. Make sure to showcase this feedback on your website, especially near the booking buttons, so potential customers get a clear idea of what to expect.
2. Offer Incentives for Reviews
Getting customers to leave reviews can be easier if there’s a little incentive, because everyone loves a freebie right? Think about offering discounts on future bookings or entering them into a draw for a free trip or a gift voucher. You could also team up with local businesses for mutual benefits, like offering restaurant discounts in exchange for reviews. Win win all round!
3. Engage on Social Media
Social media is a great way to gather and promote reviews. According to Expedia, travellers spend over 5 hours on average researching their next holiday destination, with social media being a top resource for this research, used by 58% of travellers. By regularly posting and asking for reviews, you can keep your audience engaged and your business at the forefront of their minds.
4. Simplify the Review Process
If the review process is too complicated, customers might not bother leaving feedback. Make sure your review forms are simple, easy to find, and quick to complete. Using tools like Google Reviews and Facebook’s review system can help streamline things and encourage more customers to share their thoughts.
5. Respond Quickly and Positively
How you respond to reviews can be just as crucial as the reviews themselves. According to a study by Revinate, businesses that respond to reviews within 24 hours see a significant boost in customer satisfaction. And remember, don’t sweep negative reviews under the rug! Addressing both positive and negative feedback promptly shows customers that you value their opinions and are dedicated to their satisfaction.
Building trust in the competitive travel industry means offering top-notch customer service, engaging proactively, and using reliable technology. By leveraging reviews and streamlining your payment processes, your travel business can build a reputation that not only attracts but also keeps your customers coming back!
The role of trust in payment processing
At the heart of a smooth booking experience is reliable payment processing. For travel businesses, choosing a trustworthy payment provider is super important. That’s where Truevo comes in – we offer secure and efficient payment solutions to help your business grow. With our fast and reliable payment processing, you can make sure every transaction is seamless, building that all-important trust with your customers.
Ready to see the difference with effortless, secure payment processing? Let’s talk! But first, why not have a read about what travelling with us looks like… spoiler alert: it’s pretty swish.
