What is PR?
In order to enhance the visibility of an organization, its products, and services, Public Relations are used as a medium. As the term suggests itself, PR is useful in gaining the acceptance of the public with the help of strategic communication. The task of building a travel PR is not that easy. Promoting tourism products, creating positive imagery and enhancing the tourist destinations visibility is necessary in order to attract a prominent amount of tourists. Travel PR is also used to create a bridge between the tourists and changes that have been made at the place to make the tourists friendly with those changes. The responsibilities and professionalism act as the referencing points in travel Public Relations. The efficiency of the economic, environmental and social factors regulates responsible tourism.
Multiple uses of PR in the Industry of Travel and Tourism
The travel PR carries greater credibility than any other tools used for marketing. The reason behind this is, it is the brand launch creator. The operators and customers communicate better with the help of good Public Relations. This has brought a hike in the competition among the tourism operators who try to create product and services awareness that are new to the customers. The print media, electronic media and word of mouth are majorly the advertising modes.
The travel and tourism industry has managed to convince the media that their industry is playing a vital role in raising the economy of the local and national. The companies are making travel brochures, image brochures, advertisements to build a strong foundation in the travel and tourism industry. Media is used largely to raise the magnitude of this sector and television programming is another recent trend where the travel agencies are being showcased. The tourist destinations are exposed to the people through the windows of these agencies.
Promotional Purpose
Public Relations are one of the essential tools required during promotions. The promotional elements are many and Travel PR can be used along with other elements or alone. The changes made in an organization in terms of activities and objectives and management can be accompanied by PR. When the promotion takes place, it goes through many press releases, competition prizes, sponsorships, conferences, journalist’s invitation for trying new ventures. flights, hotels, tourist attractions are provided at free of cost or at great discounts.
Tool of Communication
Travel PR is also used in external and internal communication processes. The internal communication is used in communicating with the company’s employees. This is a vital part used in order to keep the morale of the employees high. The product quality services of the company should not be underestimated and with the help of public relations, these factors stay as the topmost priority. The services and products in the Travel and tourism industry cannot be compromised and travel PR helps in its maintenance.
External communication refers to communication with shareholders and customers. This communication is necessary for keeping them informed regarding the changes made in the business. The press conferences are used as a medium for informing the audience about the implemented business changes. They invite prominent figures and then announce face to face. This external communication with the parties is really essential for spreading awareness.
Credibility Builder
Trust buildup is imperative for validating a business. The operations become successful through the raising bars of credibility. Through Travel PR the organization can create a strong impact using Press Releases and that is not promised through normal advertisements. Articles attain better attention of the people as compared to advertisements. The first-hand experience strategy is used as the most reliable source of promoting the organization’s credibility. The article of an organization surfacing the third party experience is more preferable for building Travel PR.
Crisis Manager
You can use the Travel PR for fighting against the drawbacks of unfavorable publicity. There is no such business that does not come across hard times when its image experiences a downstream. It becomes essential to handle emergency situations accurately and fastly to prevent any further crisis. In uncontrollable situations the public relations staff happens to be the only source through which the company can manage firm communication.
From the above points, it is pretty clear that PR is really important for travel and Tourism.