A British family has the holiday of a lifetime. They absolutely loved your hotel, ate at your restaurant three times, and told you it was the highlight of their trip. They go home full of happy memories.
A year passes. Life gets busy.
When they start planning their next holiday, they think, "We should go back to that lovely place we visited last year." But what was it called again? They can't quite remember the name. They do a vague Google search, can't find you, and end up booking with your competitor next door.
You just lost one of your best customers without even knowing it. All because you became a stranger.
In the tourism business, your most valuable asset is a list of people who have already visited and loved what you do. Staying in touch with them is not "spammy"; it's a relationship. Here are three simple, effective emails you can send to keep that relationship alive and turn one-time visitors into repeat bookers.
Email #1: The "Safe Trip Home & Thank You"
* When to send: 2-3 days after they check out or visit.
* Purpose: To make a great final impression and ask for a review while their positive feelings are still strong.
* What to write: Keep it short, warm, and personal.
> Subject: Hope you had a safe trip home!
> Hi [Customer's First Name],
> It was a pleasure to have you with us last week. We truly hope you had a wonderful holiday and a safe journey back to the UK.
> If you have 60 seconds, sharing your experience in a quick TripAdvisor or Google review means the world to our small business.
> We hope to welcome you back again soon!
> Warmly,
> The [Your Business Name] Team
>
Email #2: The "Mid-Winter Daydream"
* When to send: January or February.
* Purpose: To reconnect with them emotionally when it's cold, dark, and grey in the UK, and they are starting to dream of their next summer holiday. This is not a sales email.
* What to write: Just send them a little sunshine.
> Subject: A little sunshine from [Your Town]...
> Hi [Customer's First Name],
> It's cold in the UK right now, so we just wanted to send you a little warmth from all of us here in the Mediterranean.
> [Include ONE stunning, sun-drenched photo of your view, your pool, or your most beautiful dish]
> We're thinking of you and hope to see you again soon!
>
Email #3: The "Early Bird" Offer
* When to send: March or April.
* Purpose: To convert that warm, dreamy feeling into an actual booking for the upcoming season. This is your gentle, respectful sales pitch.
* What to write: Reward their loyalty with an exclusive offer.
> Subject: Planning your summer getaway, [Customer's First Name]?
> Hi [Customer's First Name],
> As a thank you for being a valued past guest, we wanted to extend a special 'Early Bird' offer just for you.
> Book your next stay with us before the end of April and receive 10% off, plus a complimentary bottle of wine on arrival.
> We'd love to create more happy memories with you this summer.
You Can't Nurture a Relationship You Don't Record
Building a list of happy past customers is how you create a sustainable, resilient business that thrives year after year, not just on a constant churn of new tourists.
But to do this effectively, you need a professional way to capture their details in the first place. A simple "email us at..." link on your website doesn't build a list. A professional contact form or booking system does.
Our "Quick Fix" package includes a professional website with a smart contact/booking form integrated from day one. We give you the foundation you need to start building these valuable, long-term relationships and turn this year's visitors into next year's guaranteed income.
Ready to stop being a stranger and start building a loyal following?
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