#IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism

[digitaltravelexpert]

Effective SEO for Hotels: 15 SEO Tips to Win Direct Bookings

Explore the ultimate roadmap to SEO success for hotels and elevate your digital marketing game. Uncover expert insights and tactics tailored specifically for the hospitality industry to drive traffic, bookings, and revenue growth. Getting strategic when hired to run SEO for Hotels is crucial because the hospitality industry is highly competitive, with countless hotels vying for visibility in search engine results. A strategic approach allows you to leverage the unique selling points and target audience of each hotel, optimizing content, keywords, and promotions to stand out amidst the noise and attract potential guests effectively. By aligning SEO efforts with broader business goals and understanding the nuances of the hotel customer journey, you can maximize ROI and drive sustainable growth in bookings and revenue.

15 Skills to Look at When Hiring a Digital Expert Doing SEO for Hotels

1. Keyword Research: Understanding the unique search queries of potential hotel guests at each stage of their journey, such as "luxury hotels in Paris" or "last-minute hotel deals in New York," to optimize website content and drive organic traffic. Example: Researching long-tail keywords like "family-friendly hotels with pool" or "pet-friendly accommodations near beach" to target specific customer needs. 2. On-Page Optimization: Implementing Hotel SEO best practices like optimizing meta titles, descriptions, and headers with relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings and increase click-through rates. Example: Crafting compelling meta descriptions for hotel pages, incorporating location, amenities, and unique selling points to entice users to click through to the website. 3. Content Creation: Developing high-quality, informative content tailored to each stage of the hotel customer journey, such as blog posts on local attractions, travel guides, or interactive maps, to engage users and encourage bookings. Example: Creating a series of destination guides for the hotel's location, highlighting nearby attractions, restaurants, and activities to inspire travelers in the research phase. 4. Local SEO: Optimizing hotel listings on Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories with accurate information, photos, and positive reviews to improve visibility in local search results and attract nearby guests. Example: Effective local SEO for hotels ensures consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) across all online listings and encourages satisfied guests to leave reviews mentioning specific amenities or experiences. 5. Technical SEO: Conducting regular website audits to identify and fix technical issues like broken links, slow page speed, or mobile usability issues that could negatively impact search rankings and user experience. Technical hotel SEO mainly focuses on identifying and resolving issues that could impact the hotel website user experience. Example: Implementing schema markup for hotel reviews and ratings to enhance search engine snippets and improve visibility in search results.

6. Link Building: Building relationships with relevant websites, bloggers, and influencers in the hospitality industry to earn high-quality backlinks pointing to the hotel's website, increasing authority and improving search rankings. Linking is an essential key to effective seo for hotels. Example: Collaborating with local tourism boards or travel bloggers to feature either through advertorial or editorial travel content the hotel in round-up posts or destination guides, earning valuable backlinks from authoritative sources. 7. Mobile Optimization: Ensuring that the hotel website is fully optimized for mobile devices, with fast loading times, responsive design, and easy navigation to provide a seamless experience for mobile users and improve search rankings. Example: Implementing Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for hotel booking pages to reduce load times and increase conversions for mobile users searching for last-minute accommodations. 8. Social Media Integration: Integrating social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter into the hotel's SEO strategy to amplify content, engage with followers, and drive traffic back to the website. Example: Sharing user-generated content, such as guest photos and reviews, on social media channels to showcase the hotel experience and encourage direct bookings. 9. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Analyzing website data and user behavior to identify opportunities for improving conversion rates, such as optimizing booking forms, implementing persuasive calls-to-action, or offering exclusive deals to incentivize bookings. Example: A/B testing different variations of the hotel's booking page, including different imagery, pricing options, and incentive offers, to determine which combination generates the highest conversion rate. 10. Reputation Management: Monitoring online reviews and managing the hotel's online reputation by responding promptly and professionally to both positive and negative feedback, demonstrating commitment to guest satisfaction and improving brand perception. Example: Addressing a negative review about cleanliness by publicly acknowledging the issue, apologizing, and outlining steps taken to rectify the situation, showcasing transparency and accountability to potential guests. 11. Data Analysis: Utilizing tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track website performance, identify trends, and measure the effectiveness of SEO strategies, allowing for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. You can doing SEO for hotels and ignore the power of data. Example: Analyzing website traffic patterns and conversion rates to determine peak booking times and adjust marketing campaigns accordingly, optimizing budget allocation and maximizing ROI. 12. Competitor Analysis: Researching competitor websites and SEO strategies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for differentiation, informing the development of a unique value proposition and competitive positioning. Example: Analyzing competitor keyword rankings and content strategies to identify gaps in the market, such as underserved customer segments or untapped local attractions, and capitalize on growth opportunities. 13. Multilingual SEO: Optimizing website content and metadata for multiple languages to attract international travelers and improve visibility in global search engines, leveraging translation services and cultural insights to tailor messaging for different markets. Effective hotel SEO strategies take into account different audiences and demographics and their respective languages or travel habits. Example: Translating key website pages, such as booking information and FAQs, into languages commonly spoken by target international markets, ensuring a seamless user experience for non-English-speaking guests. 14. Seasonal SEO: Creating seasonal marketing campaigns and promotions tailored to peak travel periods, holidays, and special events to capitalize on seasonal search trends and drive bookings during off-peak periods. Example: Launching a summer vacation package promotion targeting families with children out of school, featuring discounted rates, complimentary amenities, and family-friendly activities to attract summer travelers. 15. Customer Journey Mapping: Mapping out the various the hotel customer journey stages, from awareness to booking and post-stay feedback, to identify touchpoints where SEO can influence decision-making and enhance the overall guest experience. Proper SEO for hotels and customer journey mapping are closely interdependable. Example: Creating targeted email campaigns based on customer segmentation and booking history, delivering personalized recommendations and exclusive offers to drive repeat bookings and foster customer loyalty.

Hiring an SEO strategist with a background in the hospitality industry is a game-changer because they possess insider knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities within the hotel niche, allowing for more strategic and effective SEO tactics tailored to the specific needs and preferences of hotel guests.

Building Effective and Ethical Backlinks: SEO for Hotels

Building effective and ethical backlinks for SEO, especially for hotels, requires a strategic approach that focuses on quality, relevance, and adherence to best practices. Here’s a step-by-step guide for hotel SEO tips to help you achieve this: 1. Create High-Quality Content Informative Blog Posts and Articles - Travel Guides: Write comprehensive guides about the local area, attractions, and activities. - Hotel Amenities: Detail unique aspects of your hotel, such as special amenities, packages, or services. - Guest Stories and Reviews: Share testimonials and stories from previous guests. Visual Content - High-Quality Photos: Share professional photos of your hotel and its surroundings. - Videos: Create engaging videos showcasing the hotel, local attractions, and guest experiences. 2. Guest Blogging and Outreach Identify Relevant Blogs and Websites - Travel Blogs: Reach out to travel bloggers who focus on your region or niche. - Industry Websites: Look for tourism industry websites that accept guest posts. Pitch Unique Topics - Personalized Pitches: Tailor your pitch to the blog’s audience, proposing topics that are unique and valuable. - Quality Content: Provide high-quality, original content in your guest posts. 3. Engage with Travel Influencers Local Influencers - Collaborations: Partner with local influencers to promote your hotel. - Guest Stays: Offer complimentary stays in exchange for reviews, blog posts, and social media posts Travel Influencers - Instagram and YouTube: Collaborate with influencers who have a strong following on these platforms. 4. Leverage Local and Industry Directories Local Business Directories - Tourism Websites: Get listed on local tourism and city guide websites. - Hotel Directories: Submit your hotel to well-known hotel directories. Niche Directories - Specialty Sites: If your hotel caters to a specific niche (e.g., eco-friendly, boutique), find directories that focus on that niche. 5. Build Relationships with Local Businesses Partnerships - Cross-Promotions: Partner with local restaurants, tour companies, and attractions for mutual promotions. - Event Sponsorships: Sponsor local events to gain exposure and backlinks. Local Press and Media - Press Releases: Send press releases about significant events or updates at your hotel. - Media Outreach: Build relationships with local journalists and offer them story ideas. 6. Utilize Social Media Shareable Content - Social Shares: Create content that is highly shareable on social media platforms. - Engagement: Actively engage with your audience on social media to build a loyal following. Content Syndication - LinkedIn Articles: Repurpose blog posts as LinkedIn articles to reach a broader audience. - Medium: Publish articles on Medium for additional visibility and backlinks. 7. Focus on Review Sites Encourage Reviews - TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google: Encourage satisfied guests to leave positive reviews on these platforms. - Monitor and Respond: Regularly monitor reviews and respond promptly to feedback. 8. Host and Promote Events Hotel Events - Special Offers: Promote special offers, events, and packages. - Community Events: Host community events and invite local businesses and influencers. Press Coverage - Media Invitations: Invite local media to cover your events. 9. Use Competitor Analysis Backlink Analysis Tools - SEMrush, Ahrefs: Use these tools to analyze the backlinks of your competitors. - Identify Opportunities: Look for sites that link to your competitors and reach out to them. 10. Ethical Practices Avoid Black Hat Techniques - No Link Buying: Avoid buying links, as this can lead to penalties from search engines. - No Spam: Don’t engage in spammy practices like excessive blog commenting or link exchanges. Transparency and Honesty - Clear Policies: Be transparent about any collaborations or sponsored content. - Quality Over Quantity: Focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks rather than a large number of low-quality links. By following these strategies, you can build a robust and ethical backlink profile for your hotel, enhancing your SEO and attracting more guests.

Why is Investing in SEO for Hotel Marketing Worthwhile?

SEO for hotel marketing is crucial for several reasons, especially when it comes to attracting direct bookings and relying less on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs):

1. Increased Visibility and Traffic: - Effective SEO techniques improve your hotel website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential guests to find you online. - Higher visibility means increased organic traffic to your website, providing more opportunities to convert visitors into direct bookings. 2. Cost-Effectiveness - Compared to relying solely on OTAs for bookings, investing in SEO offers a cost-effective way to attract guests directly to your website. - While OTAs charge commissions for bookings, SEO generates organic traffic without ongoing costs per click or booking, resulting in higher profit margins for direct bookings. 3. Control Over Brand Messaging - Direct bookings through your website allow you to control the branding and messaging that guests encounter during the booking process. - You can showcase your hotel’s unique features, amenities, and value propositions more effectively, strengthening brand loyalty and differentiation from competitors. 4. Higher Profit Margins - Direct bookings typically result in higher profit margins compared to bookings made through OTAs, which often charge significant commissions. - By encouraging guests to book directly, you retain a larger portion of the booking revenue, maximizing profitability for your hotel. 5. Customer Relationships and Loyalty: - Direct bookings enable you to establish direct relationships with guests from the booking stage onwards, fostering stronger customer loyalty and repeat business. - Through personalized communication and loyalty programs, you can incentivize guests to book directly in the future, reducing reliance on third-party booking channels. 6. Long-Term Sustainability: - Building a strong SEO presence for your hotel website creates a sustainable source of hotel direct bookings over the long term. - While OTAs can provide short-term visibility and bookings, investing in SEO ensures consistent organic traffic and bookings, reducing dependency on external booking platforms. 7. Flexibility and Control Over Pricing: - Direct booking channels give you the flexibility to adjust pricing and promotions based on market conditions, seasons, and demand trends. - Unlike OTAs, which may impose restrictions on pricing and promotional activities, your website allows you to offer exclusive deals and incentives to encourage direct bookings. 8. Data Ownership and Insights: - Direct bookings provide valuable customer data and insights that can inform your marketing strategies and guest experience initiatives. - By capturing booking data directly through your website, you gain ownership of this data and can use it to personalize marketing campaigns and improve guest satisfaction. In summary, prioritizing SEO for hotel marketing is essential for attracting direct bookings and reducing reliance on OTAs. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can increase visibility, control branding and messaging, maximize profitability, and build long-term relationships with guests, ultimately driving sustainable growth for your hotel business.

Why SEO for Hotels Requires Specialized Content Creators

SEO for hotels demands a nuanced understanding of the industry and its customers, which a hotel content creator with a background in hotel management possesses. They comprehend the customer journey, from initial research to booking confirmation, allowing them to tailor content that resonates with potential guests at each stage. With insights into the target audience's preferences, pain points, and booking behavior, they can craft compelling and relevant content that drives organic traffic and direct bookings. Understanding the unique selling points and amenities of the hotel, they can highlight these effectively in content to differentiate it from competitors and attract the right guests. Their expertise enables them to optimize content for search engines while ensuring it aligns with the hotel's brand identity and marketing objectives, resulting in a cohesive and impactful SEO strategy.

FAQs: SEO for Hotels

How to SEO a hotel website?SEO Read the full article

[alleventsalert]

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism 2022 - Tourismvictoria.com

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism 2022 – Tourismvictoria.com

Tourismvictoria.com – IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism 2022 are organized by IMPACT Conference. It will be held on 23 February – 26 February 2022 in Victoria, Canada. Tourismvictoria.com | IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism 2022 You just need to follow the steps to participate in IMPACT Conference.(IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism). Open your default internet…

[nomadmanager]

It’s been a crazy (awesome) month, and I’ve got to take a moment to look back. 💙 . A year ago, I had unknowingly begun planning #MuniTravels while on a spur-of-the-moment month-long trip in the Visayas to get away, but also to learn more about sustainability, conservation and social enterprise. I was fiercely trying to move on from extended heartache, while grappling with the meaning of life and the next moves I’d be making. . The trip I took back then wasn’t all rainbows and sunshine, and it had forced me to ask myself hard questions and really reassess what I valued. I thank the people who helped refill my cup this time last year. 🧡 . Earlier this month, I had the privilege of taking a second group of travelers on a condensed yet amped up version of this trip with me — to meet some of the people who refuel my drive to do what I do, and restore my hope in humanity and the future of the planet. ☺️ . Thank you to our Negrense hosts for your inspiring work and grounded perspectives: @dave.albao @pregaurana_ @kimikaikoa of @danjuganisland @sweep.ph, @inagaston of @haciendacrafts, Doc Anabel of @26herbgarden, Francine Uy of @freshstartorganic, @angel.treehugger & @lolapig of @hamsa.earth.consciousness, @cidnim & @lynmapa of #villamapaisa, and @tinmansinares of the Negros Tourism Office. . And of course, our fellow travelers, whose reactions to each new thing also help inspire us to keep @muni_ph going. 😍 If I were to measure impact in good tears shed, then I’d really like to believe that this trip really meant a lot to you too. 😅 . @stungbyagelafish @kaaarrinaa @vizcondenicole @jaimetapayphone @whutthebaj @laladonnabanana @rinatengco @anakristinalaaventurera I hope time doesn’t diminish the feeling you guys got from the trip too. ☺️ . Thank you for taking this journey with me. Even if I was the trip leader, it was as enriching for me to be taking this trip once again and traveling with you all too. ❤️💙🧡💚 . . . . . #munionthis #responsibletravel #sustainabletourism #sustainabletravel #transformativetravel #lifedetox #mindfulliving #consciousconsumption #responsibleconsumption #zerowaste #zerowasteph #sustainableliving #sdg12 #scp (at Talisay, Negros Occidental)

[nitindhage48]

Global Sustainable Tourism Market Size, Status, Growth Opportunity, Leading player, Demand, Analysis and Future Forecast 2020-2026

Report Description

This report is derived from the exhaustive analyses of informative overview, intricacies of scrutinized data, the competitive scene, and the latest industry trends in key regions. In the overview section, market definition, fundamental applications, and the manufacturing methods employed are briefed, giving the latest trends prevalent in the industry. Additionally, the report offers the product's price margins, paired with the risks faced by the manufacturers in the market. Overall, the report provides insights into the market situation for the period 2020 -2025, giving a comprehensive understanding of different dynamics impacting the Ice Cream market.

This report focuses on the global Sustainable Tourism status, future forecast, growth opportunity, key market and key players. The study objectives are to present the Sustainable Tourism development in North America, Europe, China and Japan.

Get a Free Sample Report on Sustainable Tourism Industry Outlook @  https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/4896869-global-sustainable-tourism-market-size-status-and-forecast-2020-2026

This report has been prepared based on extensive research and analysis of the latest dominating trends in the market. The global Sustainable Tourism market has been studied and focus has been on the volume and value of the product/service as well as the manufacturing methods employed. It contains a brief overview of the competitive scene of the key players along with the market introduction and research objectives for the forecast period from 2020 to 2026. The report also presents the market size by observing the historical data and the prospects of the product/service. The economic indicators and the market research methodology have also been provided further in the global Sustainable Tourism market report.

The key players covered in this study Bouteco Kind Traveler Responsible Travel Wild Frontiers Adventure Travel Wilderness Holdings Limited Beyonder Experiences Kynder Eco Companion Undiscovered Mountains Aracari Rickshaw Travel Bouteco

Market segment by Type, the product can be split into Coastal Tourism Mountain Tourism Island Tourism

Market segment by Application, split into Solo Group Family Couples

Regional analysis:

The report provides a comprehensive regional analysis taking various aspects in to account. Here the key players have been identified understanding the strategies applied by them. In concurrence, the partnership level can be analysed, along with the associated factors or scopes to merge. Here the key markets like Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East & Africa has been taken in to account. The report makes prediction of the market up to 2026.

NOTE : Our team is studying Covid-19 and its impact on various industry verticals and wherever required we will be considering Covid-19 footprints for a better analysis of markets and industries. Cordially get in touch for more details.

Table of Contents

1 Report Overview

2 Global Growth Trends by Regions

3 Competition Landscape by Key Players

4 Breakdown Data by Type (2015-2026)

5 Sustainable Tourism Breakdown Data by Application (2015-2026)

6 North America

7 Europe

8 China

9 Japan

10 Southeast Asia

11 India

12 Central & South America

13 Key Players Profiles

14 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions

15 Appendix

……Continued

Ask Any Query on Sustainable Tourism Market Size, Share, and Volume @ https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/4896869-global-sustainable-tourism-market-size-status-and-forecast-2020-2026

Contact Us:

Norah Trent

Partner Relations & Marketing Manager

sales@wiseguyreports.com                                                                                

Ph: +1 (339) 368 6938 (US)

Ph: +44 208 133 9349 (UK)

[ashermainsart]

By Asher Mains

For the 57th La Biennale di Venezia I had the privilege of representing my country as part of an Official National Pavilion at the world’s oldest and largest stage for contemporary art. The event, lasting from Mid-May to late November 2017, saw hundreds of thousands of the world’s most attentive visitors as they came to this sort of “Olympics of Art”. The Grenada National Pavilion welcomed over 60,000 visitors who made their way away from the central Arsenale and Giardini to see and dialogue with Grenada and its contemporary art in this global conversation. I showed proudly along with fellow Grenadian artist, Milton Williams and our headliner for the pavilion, Jason deCaires Taylor who is world renowned, of Caribbean descent, and the creator of Grenada’s Under Water Sculpture park. Our offering of art on behalf of Grenada as a nation was noticed and commended by many international publications and we have been received warmly by the international art community. Sea Lungs, my installation of 8 pieces of sail cloth measuring 5’ x 8’ each with figures sprayed onto them and made complete with a sea fan to represent the figures lungs, were highly visible on social media and a visitor favourite.

A lesser known fact about such high profile art events is that while it is an honour and a privilege and prestigious to show, it is also costly. The venue has to be rented for the 6 months as well as attendants (called guardians) to make sure it is open every day and to answer any questions visitors may have. With up to 500 visitors a day, our guardians were on their toes and we appreciate their multi-lingual abilities and interest in art! There are also regulatory costs to comply with Venice codes not to mention variables like getting literature printed, a banner in front of the pavilion, advertising in Venice, cost of equipment and equipment failure etc. This is all besides the cost of actually making the art and bringing it to Venice. All of the sail cloth I used, spray paint, paper to cut stencils, time and energy cutting stencils, and “model appreciation” of course comes out of the artist’s pocket before they have to buy a plane ticket to Venice to show the work! All this to say – there is a lot of investment and I am grateful to the institutions in Grenada who contributed including Grenada Ministry of Tourism, Grenada Tourism Authority, National Lotteries Authority Grenada, Laluna Resort Grenada, ACT Art and Design Grenada, Art and Soul Gallery Grenada, Century 21 Grenada, Grenada Arts Council, Insurance Consultants Ltd. Grenada, as well as several individual contributors and a few international funders who made it possible!

Grenada is the 11th smallest country in the world and appearing 2 consecutive times at the Venice Biennale is a feat matched only by it’s much larger Caribbean neighbour, Cuba. I personally feel a sense of this smallness as my personal income has not exceeded $11,000 USD a year in the last 6 years. We do not have institutions in Grenada for art such as museums or cultural agencies that ensure Grenada’s consistent involvement at the highest levels of cultural dialogue in the world. Everything we are doing at this stage is an investment and with intention to develop our own art scene as well as the art scene of the region. We are Davids in consult with Goliaths. Even the theme of the unified work of Williams, deCaires Taylor and myself deal with the very real and pertinent issue of our planet as David – the impact on our coral reefs as a result of varied environmental realities. My figures were posed as if to personify the reef responding to its own demise and then creating the correlation with the sea fan to remind us that our own breath begins in the sea and the life of the reef is correlated to our own life. In spite of the cost and investment involved in showing in Venice, our artists still drew humble attention to the reality affecting our marine ecosystems, showing a form of activism through art at the highest level that it could be consumed.

All of this is what makes it sting that at the end of the Venice Biennale, Sea Lungs is missing. While reflecting on it, maybe this is a bad omen for the state of our reefs that the work that was created as a symbol of the reef would disappear like our reefs if nothing changes. I had multiple people who were responsible for packing up the art and returning it home to Grenada but when they arrived to the locked pavilion the work was not there. I would not have been able to afford to travel to Venice myself and so I relied on locks, keys, and agents to secure my work.  Aside from any monetary value that the work may have, (sale of work is not typical or expected at the Venice Biennale), I am missing the hours of labor that depicted these figures, many of them people I grew up with, and the actual art work that I would not be able to propose to any more shows or exhibits. Regardless, Sea Lungs represents critical work in the art history of Grenada and the region and no one is sure if it is in a basement, the bottom of a canal in Venice or staged to sell at an art fair to an unaware buyer. My hope is that we can get to the bottom of this art heist because while it is a personal loss it also feels like a fight against something greater. We are fighting for the Davids of the art world to continue to exhibit and create waves. We are fighting for awareness and personal/corporate responsibility as far as the life of the reef and marine ecosystems. One of the most apparent fights is to encourage young artists to continue to strive towards greatness in their field, artist or not, without the fear that their work will go missing or plagiarised or any number of professional deplorable reactions. What has not gone missing from me as an artist is the ability to continue to work, continue to question and to imagine a better way for the world to be. While I originally directed the models in Sea Lungs to pose as if they are going through the 5 stages of grief, looking at the images of the work now they look like they are longing. These are faces I recognise and materials I know and when I look at them now, they look like they want to come home.

consists of 8 paintings on sail cloth or ripstop measuring approx. 5 feet by 8 feet. Each figure has a corresponding sea fan to represent the lungs of each figure. Sea Lungs was last seen on Nov. 14th in the Grenada National Pavilion at 417 Dorsoduro, Venice close to the Zattere vaporetto stop. We are clear that this is not the fault or liability of La Biennale di Venezia or our hard-working and professional guardians. If you have any information leading to the reclamation of the work please contact me at ashermains@gmail.com. Below is a gallery consisting of each piece of the installation. 

  Grenada National Pavilion’s “Sea Lungs”: Missing By Asher Mains For the 57th La Biennale di Venezia I had the privilege of representing my country as part of an Official National Pavilion at the world’s oldest and largest stage for contemporary art.

[mobikefed]

Capitol Day 2017: Rock Island Trail, Transportation Funding, Loose Dogs, Distracted Driving - our top legislative priorities for April 10th

Bicycle and Pedestrian Day at the Capitol is coming up soon--Monday, April 10th, 2017.  What are the most important legislative issues we are working on--and that participants will be discussing with their state legislators Monday?

Bicycle & Pedestrian Day at the Capitol - A few citizens who make a huge difference in Jefferson City

Economic importance of bicycling, walking, and trails to Missouri

One of the most important reasons we advocate for more bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri--and a reason that every elected official can understand--is because they are important to our economy.

Thanks to the (wonderful!) Adventure Cycling Association for sharing their bicycle tourism brochure with us so that we could make a Missouri-specific version for use on Capitol Day, we have a beautiful brochure we will share with Missouri legislators Monday that makes these important points:

Bicycle Tourism generates $71 billion annually ($2.8 billion economic direct spend in Missouri)--and the market is growing  

Touring bicyclists stay longer and spend more--they stay 3 days longer and spend $240 more than the average tourist  

Trails typically generate an annual economic return about equal to the initial, one-time cost of construction  

Trails help sustain small businesses in cities and towns all along the trail  

The longer the trail system, the further people will travel to visit it--and the longer they stay. That is why Rock Island Trail State Park is so important to Missouri--because the a statewide trail loop system longer than any other in the nation will attract more tourists to travel further, stay longer, and spend more.

HB 698: Acquisition of new State Parks lands – Rock Island Trail (Rep. Pietzman)

We strongly support the creation of the new Rock Island Trail State Park, which together with the Katy Trail State Park will create an internationally significant 500+ mile statewide trail loop and tourism destination in Missouri.

Rock Island Trail communities have been working for the creation of the trail for over 25 years because of the important economic benefits it will bring the Rock Island communities.

Ameren is poised to donate the Rock Island corridor to the state of Missouri. The Committee Sub for HB 698 would prevent the state from accepting this valuable donation.

Amendments are in preparation for HB 698 that will allow the state to receive the Rock Island corridor donation. We strongly support these amendments and strongly oppose HB 698 unless it includes the amendment(s) required to solve this problem.

Unlike other recent controversial new State Parks, Rock Island Trail State Park is strongly supported by the affected communities.

HCR 47: A Task Force on State Transportation Funding (Rep. Corlew)

We strongly support work to find the right transportation funding solution for Missouri.

Walking, bicycling, and transit are basic transportation needs in Missouri and state funding for these transportation modes has been too long neglected.

We strongly support inclusion of representatives of organizations representing Missourians who walk, bicycle, and use public transportation in the Task Force

HB 1134: Dogs causing serious injury when on public property (Rep. McDaniel)

Dogs running out in front of bicyclists injure 450 Missourians annually—counting only those injuries serious enough to require an emergency room visit. This is one of the top six causes of injury to people who bicycle.

2017 Bicycle & Pedestrian Day at the Capitol

Just the out-of-pocket medical costs for those emergency room visits total $1.4 million annually.

Other Missourians are seriously injured by dog bites and attacks by loose dogs on public property.

An unfortunate loophole in current Missouri law means that owners are not responsible when their animals seriously injure someone, when the animal is on public property.

HB 1134 closes that loophole by making dog owners responsible for serious injuries caused by their animals, if the animal is on public property. We strongly support HB 1134.

Distracted Driving / Hands Free Electronic Device Use / Fair Fare Passenger Safety Act

Texting while driving and driving while distracted are a major preventable cause of injuries and fatalities on Missouri roads. Missouri is one of just four states that still allows texting while driving.

We strongly support legislation to ban distracted driving practices, including texting while driving, and to require hands-free use of electronic devices while driving.

HB 293 (Higdon), the Fair Fare Passenger Safety Act, applies these prohibitions to paid drivers, which is a good step forward. HB 293 was passed by the House Crime Prevention and Public Safety Committee on a 9-1 vote.

2017 bills include HB 312 (Walker); HB 546 (Hansen); SB 165 (Schupp); HB 378 (Brown); SB 253 (Nasheed); HB 293 (Higdon)

 Related:

Join us for Bicycle & Pedestrian Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, April 10th, 2017

Summary of bills related to bicycling, walking, and trails from earlier in the 2017 Missouri legislative session

More stories about the 2017 legislative session and issues

 Working for more, better, safer bicycling, walking, and trails in Missouri is the ultimate goal of MoBikeFed's Vision for Bicycling and Walking in Missouri. Working on legislative initiatives that help us accomplish those goals is important part of making that Vision a reality.

Your ongoing membership and generous financial support helps make Capitol Day possible and help make our Vision become reality.

File: 

bicycle-and-trails-tourism-economic-impact-for-missouri-2017-04.pdf

[digitaltravelexpert]

Effective SEO for Hotels: 15 SEO Tips to Win Direct Bookings

Explore the ultimate roadmap to SEO success for hotels and elevate your digital marketing game. Uncover expert insights and tactics tailored specifically for the hospitality industry to drive traffic, bookings, and revenue growth. Getting strategic when hired to run SEO for Hotels is crucial because the hospitality industry is highly competitive, with countless hotels vying for visibility in search engine results. A strategic approach allows you to leverage the unique selling points and target audience of each hotel, optimizing content, keywords, and promotions to stand out amidst the noise and attract potential guests effectively. By aligning SEO efforts with broader business goals and understanding the nuances of the hotel customer journey, you can maximize ROI and drive sustainable growth in bookings and revenue.

15 Skills to Look at When Hiring a Digital Expert Doing SEO for Hotels

1. Keyword Research: Understanding the unique search queries of potential hotel guests at each stage of their journey, such as "luxury hotels in Paris" or "last-minute hotel deals in New York," to optimize website content and drive organic traffic. Example: Researching long-tail keywords like "family-friendly hotels with pool" or "pet-friendly accommodations near beach" to target specific customer needs. 2. On-Page Optimization: Implementing Hotel SEO best practices like optimizing meta titles, descriptions, and headers with relevant keywords to improve search engine rankings and increase click-through rates. Example: Crafting compelling meta descriptions for hotel pages, incorporating location, amenities, and unique selling points to entice users to click through to the website. 3. Content Creation: Developing high-quality, informative content tailored to each stage of the hotel customer journey, such as blog posts on local attractions, travel guides, or interactive maps, to engage users and encourage bookings. Example: Creating a series of destination guides for the hotel's location, highlighting nearby attractions, restaurants, and activities to inspire travelers in the research phase. 4. Local SEO: Optimizing hotel listings on Google My Business, Yelp, and other local directories with accurate information, photos, and positive reviews to improve visibility in local search results and attract nearby guests. Example: Effective local SEO for hotels ensures consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) across all online listings and encourages satisfied guests to leave reviews mentioning specific amenities or experiences. 5. Technical SEO: Conducting regular website audits to identify and fix technical issues like broken links, slow page speed, or mobile usability issues that could negatively impact search rankings and user experience. Technical hotel SEO mainly focuses on identifying and resolving issues that could impact the hotel website user experience. Example: Implementing schema markup for hotel reviews and ratings to enhance search engine snippets and improve visibility in search results.

6. Link Building: Building relationships with relevant websites, bloggers, and influencers in the hospitality industry to earn high-quality backlinks pointing to the hotel's website, increasing authority and improving search rankings. Linking is an essential key to effective seo for hotels. Example: Collaborating with local tourism boards or travel bloggers to feature either through advertorial or editorial travel content the hotel in round-up posts or destination guides, earning valuable backlinks from authoritative sources. 7. Mobile Optimization: Ensuring that the hotel website is fully optimized for mobile devices, with fast loading times, responsive design, and easy navigation to provide a seamless experience for mobile users and improve search rankings. Example: Implementing Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for hotel booking pages to reduce load times and increase conversions for mobile users searching for last-minute accommodations. 8. Social Media Integration: Integrating social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter into the hotel's SEO strategy to amplify content, engage with followers, and drive traffic back to the website. Example: Sharing user-generated content, such as guest photos and reviews, on social media channels to showcase the hotel experience and encourage direct bookings. 9. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Analyzing website data and user behavior to identify opportunities for improving conversion rates, such as optimizing booking forms, implementing persuasive calls-to-action, or offering exclusive deals to incentivize bookings. Example: A/B testing different variations of the hotel's booking page, including different imagery, pricing options, and incentive offers, to determine which combination generates the highest conversion rate. 10. Reputation Management: Monitoring online reviews and managing the hotel's online reputation by responding promptly and professionally to both positive and negative feedback, demonstrating commitment to guest satisfaction and improving brand perception. Example: Addressing a negative review about cleanliness by publicly acknowledging the issue, apologizing, and outlining steps taken to rectify the situation, showcasing transparency and accountability to potential guests. 11. Data Analysis: Utilizing tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to track website performance, identify trends, and measure the effectiveness of SEO strategies, allowing for data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement. You can doing SEO for hotels and ignore the power of data. Example: Analyzing website traffic patterns and conversion rates to determine peak booking times and adjust marketing campaigns accordingly, optimizing budget allocation and maximizing ROI. 12. Competitor Analysis: Researching competitor websites and SEO strategies to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for differentiation, informing the development of a unique value proposition and competitive positioning. Example: Analyzing competitor keyword rankings and content strategies to identify gaps in the market, such as underserved customer segments or untapped local attractions, and capitalize on growth opportunities. 13. Multilingual SEO: Optimizing website content and metadata for multiple languages to attract international travelers and improve visibility in global search engines, leveraging translation services and cultural insights to tailor messaging for different markets. Effective hotel SEO strategies take into account different audiences and demographics and their respective languages or travel habits. Example: Translating key website pages, such as booking information and FAQs, into languages commonly spoken by target international markets, ensuring a seamless user experience for non-English-speaking guests. 14. Seasonal SEO: Creating seasonal marketing campaigns and promotions tailored to peak travel periods, holidays, and special events to capitalize on seasonal search trends and drive bookings during off-peak periods. Example: Launching a summer vacation package promotion targeting families with children out of school, featuring discounted rates, complimentary amenities, and family-friendly activities to attract summer travelers. 15. Customer Journey Mapping: Mapping out the various the hotel customer journey stages, from awareness to booking and post-stay feedback, to identify touchpoints where SEO can influence decision-making and enhance the overall guest experience. Proper SEO for hotels and customer journey mapping are closely interdependable. Example: Creating targeted email campaigns based on customer segmentation and booking history, delivering personalized recommendations and exclusive offers to drive repeat bookings and foster customer loyalty.

Hiring an SEO strategist with a background in the hospitality industry is a game-changer because they possess insider knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities within the hotel niche, allowing for more strategic and effective SEO tactics tailored to the specific needs and preferences of hotel guests.

Building Effective and Ethical Backlinks: SEO for Hotels

Building effective and ethical backlinks for SEO, especially for hotels, requires a strategic approach that focuses on quality, relevance, and adherence to best practices. Here’s a step-by-step guide for hotel SEO tips to help you achieve this: 1. Create High-Quality Content Informative Blog Posts and Articles - Travel Guides: Write comprehensive guides about the local area, attractions, and activities. - Hotel Amenities: Detail unique aspects of your hotel, such as special amenities, packages, or services. - Guest Stories and Reviews: Share testimonials and stories from previous guests. Visual Content - High-Quality Photos: Share professional photos of your hotel and its surroundings. - Videos: Create engaging videos showcasing the hotel, local attractions, and guest experiences. 2. Guest Blogging and Outreach Identify Relevant Blogs and Websites - Travel Blogs: Reach out to travel bloggers who focus on your region or niche. - Industry Websites: Look for tourism industry websites that accept guest posts. Pitch Unique Topics - Personalized Pitches: Tailor your pitch to the blog’s audience, proposing topics that are unique and valuable. - Quality Content: Provide high-quality, original content in your guest posts. 3. Engage with Travel Influencers Local Influencers - Collaborations: Partner with local influencers to promote your hotel. - Guest Stays: Offer complimentary stays in exchange for reviews, blog posts, and social media posts Travel Influencers - Instagram and YouTube: Collaborate with influencers who have a strong following on these platforms. 4. Leverage Local and Industry Directories Local Business Directories - Tourism Websites: Get listed on local tourism and city guide websites. - Hotel Directories: Submit your hotel to well-known hotel directories. Niche Directories - Specialty Sites: If your hotel caters to a specific niche (e.g., eco-friendly, boutique), find directories that focus on that niche. 5. Build Relationships with Local Businesses Partnerships - Cross-Promotions: Partner with local restaurants, tour companies, and attractions for mutual promotions. - Event Sponsorships: Sponsor local events to gain exposure and backlinks. Local Press and Media - Press Releases: Send press releases about significant events or updates at your hotel. - Media Outreach: Build relationships with local journalists and offer them story ideas. 6. Utilize Social Media Shareable Content - Social Shares: Create content that is highly shareable on social media platforms. - Engagement: Actively engage with your audience on social media to build a loyal following. Content Syndication - LinkedIn Articles: Repurpose blog posts as LinkedIn articles to reach a broader audience. - Medium: Publish articles on Medium for additional visibility and backlinks. 7. Focus on Review Sites Encourage Reviews - TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google: Encourage satisfied guests to leave positive reviews on these platforms. - Monitor and Respond: Regularly monitor reviews and respond promptly to feedback. 8. Host and Promote Events Hotel Events - Special Offers: Promote special offers, events, and packages. - Community Events: Host community events and invite local businesses and influencers. Press Coverage - Media Invitations: Invite local media to cover your events. 9. Use Competitor Analysis Backlink Analysis Tools - SEMrush, Ahrefs: Use these tools to analyze the backlinks of your competitors. - Identify Opportunities: Look for sites that link to your competitors and reach out to them. 10. Ethical Practices Avoid Black Hat Techniques - No Link Buying: Avoid buying links, as this can lead to penalties from search engines. - No Spam: Don’t engage in spammy practices like excessive blog commenting or link exchanges. Transparency and Honesty - Clear Policies: Be transparent about any collaborations or sponsored content. - Quality Over Quantity: Focus on acquiring high-quality backlinks rather than a large number of low-quality links. By following these strategies, you can build a robust and ethical backlink profile for your hotel, enhancing your SEO and attracting more guests.

Why is Investing in SEO for Hotel Marketing Worthwhile?

SEO for hotel marketing is crucial for several reasons, especially when it comes to attracting direct bookings and relying less on Online Travel Agencies (OTAs):

1. Increased Visibility and Traffic: - Effective SEO techniques improve your hotel website’s visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs), making it easier for potential guests to find you online. - Higher visibility means increased organic traffic to your website, providing more opportunities to convert visitors into direct bookings. 2. Cost-Effectiveness - Compared to relying solely on OTAs for bookings, investing in SEO offers a cost-effective way to attract guests directly to your website. - While OTAs charge commissions for bookings, SEO generates organic traffic without ongoing costs per click or booking, resulting in higher profit margins for direct bookings. 3. Control Over Brand Messaging - Direct bookings through your website allow you to control the branding and messaging that guests encounter during the booking process. - You can showcase your hotel’s unique features, amenities, and value propositions more effectively, strengthening brand loyalty and differentiation from competitors. 4. Higher Profit Margins - Direct bookings typically result in higher profit margins compared to bookings made through OTAs, which often charge significant commissions. - By encouraging guests to book directly, you retain a larger portion of the booking revenue, maximizing profitability for your hotel. 5. Customer Relationships and Loyalty: - Direct bookings enable you to establish direct relationships with guests from the booking stage onwards, fostering stronger customer loyalty and repeat business. - Through personalized communication and loyalty programs, you can incentivize guests to book directly in the future, reducing reliance on third-party booking channels. 6. Long-Term Sustainability: - Building a strong SEO presence for your hotel website creates a sustainable source of hotel direct bookings over the long term. - While OTAs can provide short-term visibility and bookings, investing in SEO ensures consistent organic traffic and bookings, reducing dependency on external booking platforms. 7. Flexibility and Control Over Pricing: - Direct booking channels give you the flexibility to adjust pricing and promotions based on market conditions, seasons, and demand trends. - Unlike OTAs, which may impose restrictions on pricing and promotional activities, your website allows you to offer exclusive deals and incentives to encourage direct bookings. 8. Data Ownership and Insights: - Direct bookings provide valuable customer data and insights that can inform your marketing strategies and guest experience initiatives. - By capturing booking data directly through your website, you gain ownership of this data and can use it to personalize marketing campaigns and improve guest satisfaction. In summary, prioritizing SEO for hotel marketing is essential for attracting direct bookings and reducing reliance on OTAs. By optimizing your website for search engines, you can increase visibility, control branding and messaging, maximize profitability, and build long-term relationships with guests, ultimately driving sustainable growth for your hotel business.

Why SEO for Hotels Requires Specialized Content Creators

SEO for hotels demands a nuanced understanding of the industry and its customers, which a hotel content creator with a background in hotel management possesses. They comprehend the customer journey, from initial research to booking confirmation, allowing them to tailor content that resonates with potential guests at each stage. With insights into the target audience's preferences, pain points, and booking behavior, they can craft compelling and relevant content that drives organic traffic and direct bookings. Read the full article