You’ve made a name for yourself in the local market, but you want your restaurant to be on the top of the list for out-of-towners looking for a unforgettable dining experience. You’d like your restaurant to be a tourist destination in itself, if you will. Try these strategies for becoming more competitive in a tourist market.

Welcome tourists with enthusiasm

Living in a tourist destination can lead to taking city visitors for granted and even to developing a negative attitude towards out-of-towners. If you want to draw in the crowds, your staff needs to be welcoming to all the customers, wherever they hail from. Encouraging staff to become champions of your city and of the visitors excited to learn about it will help to boost your popularity and attract the tourist crowds.

Team up with other local businesses

What better way to delight tourists than by making it easy for them to plan their days and nights? Find an area attraction that works with your restaurant’s style and offer cross-promotions that bring business to both establishments. A posh New Orleans restaurant might team up with a wine bar, a limo service, and the opera to make it easy for visitors to enjoy a night out on the town. A quaint bistro might pair up with an art class and a local museum to create an immersive artistic experience.

Get in touch with hotel concierges

In a city like New Orleans, a concierge can be a restaurateur’s best friend. Tourists rely on these cultural gatekeepers for restaurant recommendations that aren’t another tourist trap. Connect with concierges at local hotels and invite them to join you for a meal so they can experience your offerings first hand and refer hotel guests with confidence and enthusiasm.

Stay on top of your online reputation

Lots of tourists turn to online review sites like Yelp to decide where they’re going to spend their money. Be sure you’re maintaining control of your online reputation by responding to reviews – both positive and negative.   

Beef up your real world advertising

Get your restaurant in front of tourist eyes by investing in offline advertising. Print ads in magazines that provide insights into local events can be a great way to connect with tourists. Transit ads, bench ads, and even billboards reach visitors as they’re exploring the city.

Nominate yourself for awards

An award or even an honorable mention can generate a lot of publicity for restaurants, so consider nominating your restaurant for a local, regional, or national award. You’ll benefit from the media coverage and from the prestige.

Take advantage of industry expertise

At Morgan & Co., we’ve worked with some of the best restaurants in a tourism-driven market known for its culinary experiences. We consistently deliver new out-of-town guests into our favorite restaurants in town through a combination of cutting-edge technology, data-driven strategies, and creative thinking. Get in touch with our team to learn how we can do the same for you.