The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered our world into a truly challenging and wholly unprecedented period. Over 200 countries around the globe are contending with the public health, social, and economic repercussions of this crisis. Yet, the pandemic will inevitably end, and things will return to normal. To flourish in the future, those businesses operating in the industry must consider things like travel and tourism website design and marketing services. In this article, we discuss 4 tips for travel and tourism businesses to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

Strategic Consultation Is An Excellent Strategy For Your Travel And Tourism Business To Thrive

Once the Coronavirus pandemic subsides, an effective marketing strategy like strategic consultation will be for key for travel and tourism businesses to thrive. By utilizing strategic consultation services for your business, you will better understand what makes your company tick and have the ability to plan for scenarios (like the COVID-19 crisis, for instance) in the future.

Through in-depth analysis of your travel and tourism business, you will fully understand what areas are working, and what areas require more focus to truly grow and flourish. Strategic consultation services should be essential components of any online marketing strategy, including those businesses operating in the travel and tourism industry.

A Superb Website Will Separate Your Business From Competitors

When the pandemic finally ends, which it ultimately will, travel and tourism businesses need to elevate themselves above competitors with superb website design. A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that an astonishing 63% of Canadians admitted they will not buy from a company that has a poorly designed website. This statistic should give any business owner pause, especially those operating in the travel and tourism industry, which is already an ultra-competitive marketplace.

In order to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape, it will be more crucial than ever for travel and tourism businesses to make an impactful first impression with an exceptional mobile-responsive website. Ultimately, you will maximize your online presence and increase digital sales.

Travel And Tourism Businesses Must Consider Content Creation To Thrive In Toronto

When the pandemic ends and we gradually return to normalcy, businesses operating in the travel and tourism industry must consider proven content creation to increase brand awareness and thrive. That’s why it’s essential to choose the best content marketing agency Toronto services.

With exceptional and relevant content creation and marketing, you will reach your target audience, increase the brand awareness of your business, and ultimately, increase your sales. Whether it’s a brochure design, infographic design, or other forms of content, content marketing is a proven strategic marketing technique that will give you the edge in the ultra-competitive travel and tourism industry.

How The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Pertains To Travel And Tourism Businesses

The Coronavirus pandemic has ushered the globe into a truly challenging period. This crisis is a fluid situation, which changes daily from region to region. The government of Ontario has extended the timeframe for the state of emergency, in addition to the mandated closure of all non-essential workplaces – of which travel and tourism businesses fall under that category.

To supplement the inevitable loss of income that many Canadians are experiencing during the pandemic, it is important to understand the relief measures implemented by the federal government in the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Amongst the measures providing economic support to Canadians during this challenging time is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB):

“We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.

The CERB is available to workers who meet all of the following conditions:

• live in Canada and are at least 15 years old
• stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits
• have not voluntarily quit their job
• had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application.

On April 15, we announced changes to the eligibility rules to:

• Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
• Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their regular seasonal work because of COVID-19.
• Extend the CERB to workers who have recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job because of COVID-19.

An online questionnaire will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation (i.e. eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits or not).”

Federal finance minister, Bill Morneau explained the impetus for the introduction of CERB.

“We know that people are worried about their health, their jobs and their financial situations. Our government is doing whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of Canadians, and to support workers, families and businesses. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit would make sure that money gets in the hands of workers as quickly as possible to support them in their time of need, and would help businesses keep their employees during this difficult period. Canadians can rest assured that the government stands ready to take any and all necessary actions as we continue to confront these challenging times together,” Morneau stated in a press release.

In addition, at the beginning of April the federal government announced the details of measures that will support Canadian businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 1, the Department of Finance announced the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): 

“The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

To help Canadians and businesses get through these tough economic times, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the Government is proposing to introduce a wage subsidy of 75 per cent for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

This measure, which is a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, would support businesses that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and would help protect the jobs Canadians depend on during these difficult times.

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
• Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
• Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
• For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
• An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.”

“Businesses provide the jobs, the goods and the services that Canadians depend on to keep their communities going, in good times and bad. With the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, we are helping businesses keep their staff on payroll so that businesses will be better positioned to rebound when the current challenges have passed. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that workers and businesses are supported through the outbreak, and that our economy remains resilient during these difficult times,” Morneau explained in a press release.

Although the breadth of the Coronavirus pandemic is presently indeterminate, this crisis will inevitably subside. Collectively, we will prevail over this defining moment of the modern age. In the interim, stay safe, stay well, stay connected to family, friends, and neighbours, and remember to be kind.

Sarah Bauder

Sarah Bauder is a senior content specialist at Little Dragon Media. Sarah has a degree in journalism and has a decade of experience writing content at numerous renowned publications. She enjoys writing about digital marketing, business, entrepreneurship and more.