3 minute read

10 things all tourism operators should be doing now

With borders opening up, our industry and business should start to pick up soon. While 2020 has been a year we’d all like to pretend never happened, it’s important that we are all looking ahead and are focusing on 2021. It’s a time of opportunity to reset and recharge. If you haven’t already spent the time to work on your business, here’s a checklist of really important things you should be doing right now in your business, that all start with P!

POINT OF DIFFERENCE

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Conduct a competitor analysis to find out what your competitors are doing. This will help find your niche and determine your unique selling point. Once you find it, own it. Be undeniably good.

PLAN

Where do you see yourself in the future? What will it take to get there? At what point exactly do you break even, make profit? If your operating model has changed will this support you moving forward. Where can you reduce costs or outsource some of the work? Where do you see yourself/your business in medium to longer term? What do you need to succeed?

PEOPLE

Know the people you want to sell your product to. Look at your ideal customer and clearly articulate who that person is. Then look at your product – are you meeting their needs in every way?

PROFIT

Your team may know HOW to do their jobs, but do they know WHY doing it a certain way is important and how this impacts your profit? Their actions not only impact your business, but also their pay cheque. And this is more evident than ever. Right Now. A profit culture can drive your team’s performance to drive profit for your business.

PROMOTION

Audit all your promotional material and marketing activity – Are your promo materials the best they can be? Graphics, images, video, words. What’s your story? Have you told your backstory well, is it clear who you are, why you’re in business and what you offer on your website? What are you communicating to your potential customers? What sort of language are you using? Are you making it easy for them to know you’re open and what’s on offer?

PARTNERSHIPS

The power of partnerships. Reach out and collaborate with like-minded business. Find the best suppliers – are you using Tassie products where possible? Brand Tas, industry bodies, etc. leverage opportunities out of these relationships.

PROCESSES

Perfect your processes and get your systems sorted. How many of the things you do in your business are all in your head? Write the ops manual; write up all your procedures – complaints policy, online review response policy, position descriptions etc; Create templates that will help you save time later. Ensure your COVID Worksafe plans are in place and all staff are across it.

POSITIVE IMPACT

Consider your impact – Are you giving back to the environment and the community? Are you inclusive in your workplace? Do you support positive impact businesses? Are your team on the same page? What’s your legacy?

PROTECT

Keep everyone safe, we’re not out of the woods yet. Protect yourself, your staff, your customers, your business and the reputation of Tasmania. You don’t want fingers pointing at YOU if something happens!

PAUSE

Stop and breath. Take some time for yourself and reflect. Are you contributing positively to your businesses and community,? Are you leaving a legacy that you’re proud of? Find ways to celebrate yourself, your business and others within your networks - after all we are all in the same boat.

By Sam Denmead (Green Hat Tourism), and Jake Smith (Former GM, MACq01 Hotel)

TICT PARTNERS SUPPORTING TASMANIA’S TOURISM & HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

Tourism Tasmania

Tasmanian Travel Guides

Level 5, 29 Elizabeth Street Hobart TAS 7000 (03) 6231 2244 info@tict.com.au www.tict.com.au

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