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According to Statista, the tourism industry in the UK is worth a staggering £237.1 billion – that’s a lot of beach visits and London tour buses!

The South of the UK has some of the most beautiful weather in the country, with temperatures reaching tropical levels in the summertime.

If you want to be a part of the thriving tourism industry in the UK by starting a business in Norfolk, here are four steps to helping you succeed.

1.     Find a Niche in the Market

To be a successful business in the tourism industry, you will likely need to be either the best in your field, or offering a concept that is unusual to your customers.

By finding a niche in the market that makes you unusual, you can take a larger market share and attract more customers, rather than simply following the crowd.

To do this, conduct some market research into what other local businesses in your field are providing in the area – how can you improve on their offerings or services? You can conduct your research by visiting these establishments and being a customer yourself, taking notes on what makes them thrive.

2.    Work on Your SEO

As tourism companies in coastal counties like Norfolk can be extremely competitive, why not take the edge and get ahead of your competitors by ramping up your SEO?

SEO specialists like Maratopia are dedicated to providing unique search engine optimisation campaigns for your website to help you attract customers and expand your brand visibility.

Local SEO is particularly important for tourism focused businesses, as many tourists will rely on search engines to discover hospitality and entertainment facilities around them.

By sharpening your visibility on search engine results pages, you can be the first port of call for customers looking for your goods and services whilst they enjoy their holiday.

3.    Focus on Customer Service

Whilst many customers you encounter will only be present for a flying visit, it’s worth remembering that many people enjoy returning to similar spots for their holidays year after year.

Remembering customers’ names, treating them well and providing the best service can secure loyalty from returning holidaymakers for many years to come.

What’s more, review websites like Tripadvisor are freely accessible to any browsing customers. A business with a series of glowing reviews is much more likely to be picked by potential customers than one with negative reviews.

4.    Be Eco-Conscious

As any coastal business owner will know, the ocean is one of the most polluted places on earth, and so advocating for environmentally friendly policies as a business can be a winner.

Not only are more customers likely to shop with you if you’re an environmentally friendly business, but you can work to support local causes that exist to stop sea pollution and other relevant causes.

To support an eco-friendly ethos, you might want to invest in biodegradable packaging if you’re a hospitality or food business, or you could donate a portion of your profits towards charitable events that serve to benefit the environment.

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