Meet Sarah. She’s sitting at her desk in Manchester, looking out at a grey, drizzly June sky. She’s dreaming of her escape: a week of sunshine, incredible food, and relaxation in your town.
Her holiday doesn't start when she steps on the plane. It starts right now, on her phone, during her lunch break.
For business owners in tourism, understanding this journey is the key to unlocking a steady stream of bookings. The battle for Sarah’s money is won or lost long before she ever packs her suitcase. Here’s how her journey unfolds and how you can make sure your business is the one she chooses.
Phase 1: The Dream (3 Months Before Travel)
Sarah is in pure inspiration mode. She’s scrolling through Instagram and TikTok, saving posts that catch her eye. She’s searching for broad, dreamy hashtags like #greeceholiday, #türkiyefood, or #spanishsunset. She isn't looking for specifics yet; she's collecting possibilities and building a "mood board" for her trip.
* How to Win This Stage: Be discoverable and desirable. This is where your high-quality visuals do the heavy lifting. That stunning video of your signature cocktail being made, the beautiful photo of your hotel's view at sunset—this is the content that gets you into Sarah's "saved" folder.
Phase 2: The Plan (1 Month Before Travel)
The destination is chosen. Now, Sarah gets serious. She switches from Instagram to Google. She’s searching for "restaurants near [her chosen hotel]" or "best boat trips in [her resort town]". She's reading TripAdvisor reviews to see what other Brits have said. She is actively looking for proof that a business is legitimate, popular, and trustworthy.
* How to Win This Stage: Be credible and reassuring. Your optimised Google Maps listing is critical here. Your professional responses to bad reviews matter. You need to present a consistent and trustworthy front that removes any doubt from her mind.
Phase 3: The Booking (1-2 Weeks Before Travel)
Sarah has a shortlist of 2-3 places. Now she visits your website directly. She wants to see a full menu, check prices, and find an easy way to book a table or a room. Her finger is hovering over the "Book Now" button. She might have one last quick question: "Do you have high chairs?" or "Can we book for a group of 8?"
* How to Win This Stage: Be professional and frictionless. Your website must be mobile-friendly and easy to navigate. A local international number is a barrier. A UK +44 WhatsApp number for her to ask that last-minute question, for free, is a green light. This is where you convert her deep interest into a confirmed booking.
Phase 4: The Arrival (Holiday Time)
Sarah is finally in your town, enjoying the sun. She might have pre-booked with you (congratulations!). But maybe she's looking for a spontaneous cocktail bar for the evening. She pulls out her phone, standing on a street corner, and searches "cocktail bars near me."
* How to Win This Stage: Be visible and top-of-mind. Your strong local SEO on Google Maps gives you one last, powerful chance to capture her business right when she is ready to spend.
Are You on Their Itinerary?
As you can see, a UK tourist's booking is not a single decision but a series of micro-decisions made over months. A business that only shows up at one stage of the journey is leaving thousands of pounds on the table.
You need a complete digital ecosystem that engages customers from their first dream to their final booking.
Our "Quick Fix" package is designed to do exactly that. It builds the professional website, the crucial UK contact points, and the social media foundations required to make your business visible, credible, and bookable at every single stage of the journey.
Don't just wait for customers to arrive. Guide them to your door from the moment they start dreaming.
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