Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Integrated Online Marketing For Wildlife Lodges & Tour Operators

Online Marketing is the utilization of all platforms to promote brands and create a reputation through website/blogs and unique content. While many Digital marketers offer services as SEO experts in the topic there is one difference between just experts and those very familiar with an allied field.

Lodge Courtyard House Kanha National Park
Understanding Diverse Topics

Marketing becomes a potential weapon for traffic generation and brand promotion if an SEO has an understanding of diverse topics. I have!

Well, this comes about with long-term involvement with search engine optimization and social media marketing. Specialization in some fields accrues due to deep involvement in the subject on the ground as well. The added advantage of involvement in SEO is obvious. Hence I can provide a cohesive effort to promote the lodge website and tour operator website.

I have been associated with Indian Wildlife for many years as a freelance naturalist. I have accrued knowledge of lodge operations and management naturally after freelancing for more than ten years. I  am well aware of customer behavior, needs, and expectations from lodge owners and tour management. Well, this means I am perfectly geared up for providing online marketing services to the wildlife sector. I create my own content.

Indian Wildlife 
Get Bookings!

Exciting Safaris with Naturalist Interpretation & Heavenly Lodge Experience spells success! There are a few aspects of wildlife experience in India:

Focus on Tiger or Apex Animal 
Quality Birding  
Destination Experience 
In-depth Interpretation at Lodges

Tiger
If you are not willing to invest in these virtues then stay within budget...keep minimal tariffs and reduce package tour costs.

With Lodge Owners and Tour Operators, the need is to get bookings and recommendations that increase referrals. This happens whence you have a reputation online.

Hence a cohesive approach using integrated marketing is essential. Using various platforms a cohesive strategy can be chalked out using well-written content as the main tool.

Lodge/Tour Operators Website

In online promotions (mobile friendly) websites play a major role now...unlike earlier. Good link architecture, solid contents, and attributes with aesthetic design. But this is not all developing a good website with an appealing design is not enough for conversions. 

Interactive Approach

You need to converse with the visitors and be contemporary. The former can be done using a chat window or an email but this will not be enough. You need to publish the latest happenings on the website. So create an interactive window to publish the latest tours along with photos and safari experiences as they were executed on weekly basis.  All this has to be real-time besides the testimonial page. If you do this you will rid of being a static or cardboard cutout website which discourages conversions.

Integration of a blog is an ideal tool to converse with online visitors by highlighting recent tours and safari experiences.

Accreditations

It is important to register your company with a known association or Government if possible. These and other accreditation will increase your conversions tremendously.    

Social Media

Being Active on Social Media and creating a reputation is also a prerequisite. SM can provide with immense reach and enhance conversions and inquiry levels.   

Advertisement

If you have the resources to enroll in PPC like Google Adwords with a fixed budget for greater exposure.

If you have a good database highlight your activities and new introductions using Email Marketing. Or keep in touch with past clients as well for future business and convincing referrals...

Online Marketing requires constant involvement and resource planning. The best is to hire an Online Marketing Service/Content Writer and Quality Web Designer.

Are You Serious About Your Business?



Survival would be difficult without an online presence.  

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Uday works as a freelance naturalist/birder in India. He also provides SEO (Online Marketing Services) and Website Content.
Contact: pateluday90@hotmail.com
Mobile: 9755089323 

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Bandhavgarh Land of Tiger

Words can be written about this magical paradise accolades come and go but the memories stay forever. Nestled in the Vindhya Hills Bandhavgarh was an erstwhile kingdom of Maharajahs of Rewa. But at these enchanted forests, it was the Gonds that first stepped foot and built the fort dedicated to Laxman Lord Ram's brother hence the name.  The historical turbulence saw many warring dynasties ruling the place in the annals of history. The fort is now in ruins but some artifacts, reservoirs, idols of Lord Vishnu and structures are in a state of preservation.  An exploration of tabletop mountain encompassing the Fort will put you in a trance but unfortunately, the area is closed for tourism. But one must visit Sesh Shaiyya or the reclining Vishnu idol on the way up to the fort.





All along the Tala Range, one can see historical structures, especially on the Bandhavgarh Mountain at 800 plus MSL. The famous Fort, Ram Laxman Janki Temple, and the Reclining Idol of Lord Vishnu are situated here. 

Once part of a contiguous patch of forests encompassing both Satpura and Vindhya Ranges - their confluence is at Maikal Hills in Madhya Pradesh - the tiger reserve is now isolated due to frequent denudation and ravage. Maikal Hills are home to Amarkantak and Achanakmar biosphere reserve and the famous Kanha National Park weakly connected.

The National Park and tiger reserve and Panpatha WLS comprise of 1536.7 square kilometers with  716.46 designated as core and the rest as buffer.


Though the floral composition is vastly similar in these Sal-dominated forests Bandhavgarh terrain is unique with mesmerizing beauty.  The unique feature is the steep hills or cliffs and tabletop mountains. Small mountain streams of rivulets are plentiful that create marshy grasslands as they intersect the plains in the valleys. Most of the rivulets like Charanganga are perennial forming an important lifeline of the ecosystem.

The Gondwana Rocks mainly comprise sandstone, the sand is mainly sandy loam with a sprinkling of silica. The rugged topography encompasses Sal, mixed, and bamboo besides a plethora of herbs and shrubs usually found in the niche.  


The tiger is at the top of the food chain while another tertiary predator is the leopard, other carnivores are dhole, jackal, fox, rusty spotted and jungle cat so on. The sloth bear along with wild boar are omnivores albeit they do not predate but have been seen on carcasses frequently. The detrivores are Egyptian, White Rumped, and Indian vultures the latter two being critically endangered.

The antelopes present are the Nilgai, Four Horned Antelope, and Indian Gazelle. The deer family comprises of Sambar, Chital, and Muntjac or barking deer.  There are two primates commonly seen here they are the Gray Hanuman Langur and the Rhesus Macaque. 

Small mammals are chiefly nocturnal and a night drive can yield the sight of toddy cats, small Indian civets, large civets, and porcupines. 

A tiger safari that encompasses passage through inclining and steep elevations is stunning and driving is a test of skill. Though the animal in focus is the tiger, nonetheless the sight of the sloth bear, panther, and bison is equally exciting. 

The marshy grasslands and the ecotone are the focus of those on excursions as the big cats prefer to hunt in these habitat patches which hinder the movement of the prey.

Bandhavgarh offers a unique opportunity for nature photography with an enchanting panoramic background. Winters are rich with hues of strong colors and background greenery nonetheless all seasons in this National Park offer a unique panoramic background to the lensmen. 

The park is closed during the monsoon but tourism in the buffer is on. In order to reach BTR one needs to fly to Jabalpur in MP and then drive four hours. An overnight train from New Delhi halts at Umaria about 32 km from the park. The destinations can be reached from various rail heads and towns nearby. The park is well connected to Khajuraho Temple Town and Kanha National Park all in Central India.