You’ve got a restaurant business in Saudi Arabia.
So you must be aware pilgrimage season is one of the most profitable times of the year.
What does this season bring for your restaurant business? The potential to drive more customers towards your restaurant.
But there’s a hitch. The competition and challenge to stand out and attract customers to your business.
So how do you stand out from the crowd? We’ve got tips for you.
We have compiled the best 5 tips to promote your restaurant business during the pilgrimage season.
Let’s get straight into it.
What is the significance of Hajj and Umrah for restaurant businesses?
Hajj and Umrah are significant religious pilgrimages in Islam.
So, if you are a restaurant owner, the pilgrimage season is good news for you. It is an excellent opportunity for you to make a fortune.
Believe it or not, we have some stats to support our claim.
The restaurant industry in Saudi Arabia generates approximately $17.8 billion in revenue each year. A significant portion of this revenue generates during the pilgrimage season.
What’s more? Jamil Ghaznawi of JLL Saudi Arabia states, “Religious tourism growth in line with Vision 2030 will create opportunities in Makkah’s retail, hotel, and accommodation sectors.”
Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority says the number of pilgrims visiting Mecca and Medina is expected to reach 30 million by 2030.
This means there will be an increasing demand for food and beverage services. So your restaurant gets even more opportunities to thrive and grow.
Now, let’s dive into some tips to help you maximise profits during the upcoming season.
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How to promote your restaurant during the pilgrimage season?
Want to stand out in the crowd? The secret is to prepare ahead of time.
Luckily, we’ve got some tips to help you kick-start your preparations.
1. Target pilgrims specifically as a customer base
We kid you not. Targeting pilgrims as a customer base can be a game-changer for your restaurant.
But what does a typical pilgrim customer look like?
The typical pilgrim customer has travelled to perform Hajj or Umrah.
They are likely to be fasting during the day. As a result, they prefer restaurants with hearty and nutritious meals.
So how can you attract a pilgrim customer? Offer promotions tailored to their needs and preferences.
For example, consider creating special discounted packages. The packages should include traditional meals and drinks that pilgrims will appreciate.
You can then promote these discounted packages via social media and SMS marketing.
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2. Create special promotions and offers
Your personalised promotions and offers will work as magnets for your customers.
Don’t believe us?
Let’s look at a scenario here.
Your customers are travelling from far and wide. They are on a tight budget because of currency change and all. They’ll naturally eat from your restaurant when they see your promotions and offers specially customised to their needs.
What’s more? Excellent customer service and quality food can get you to repeat business. You’ll also get positive word-of-mouth marketing.
Special promotions and offers you can use to attract pilgrims include:
- Pilgrim meal deals
- Free drink with a meal
- Discount Coupons
- Pilgrim happy hour
- Group discounts
To make sure your promotions and offers get the attention they deserve. Use SMS and social media marketing. Establish your restaurant as a pilgrim destination.
3. Market your restaurant
You have created all the special promotions for the pilgrimage season.
Your competitors have also done that, and that’s not news to you.
So, you must stand out from competitors to capture customers’ attention.
Use marketing channels like SMS marketing, social media, and email. You can tell your customers about special deals and discounts through these channels.
SMS marketing is a valuable tool for your restaurant during the pilgrimage season.
Why?
Because many pilgrims might not use social media due to the spiritual nature of their visit. SMS has the advantage here.
By utilising SMS, you can still reach potential customers. You can provide them with relevant and timely information on their phones.
But you’ll need to be smart to market your restaurant via SMS.
You need a database of customers who have opted in to receive messages.
How do you build this database?
Offer an incentive through social media in exchange for opting in to receive text messages.
Also, ensure that your marketing messages are relevant. They should provide value to your customers.
You’d also need a reliable SMS service provider like SMSCountry to send fast and compliant SMS messages.
How to Prepare Your Business For a Year of Pilgrimage: Hajj 2024
4. Maximise your online presence
SMS is helpful when reaching your customers about to perform Umrah.
But what if your customers are still in the planning phase? That’s where having a solid online presence comes in handy.
During the pilgrimage season, more people will check out your restaurant.
With a good website, you can attract more customers. Also, you can showcase your awesome offerings.
But why stop there?
Use social media to promote your restaurant too. Just ensure to post regularly and keep your content engaging. After all, you don’t want to be out of sight or mind.
5. Provide excellent customer service
Pilgrims often travel from far away and spend a lot during the pilgrimage season. Thus, they expect respect, kindness, and special care.
So, train your staff to handle the increased demand for service during this time.
Here are some tips you can use to train your staff:
- Provide language training to your staff. To enable them to interact with customers from all over the world.
- Train your staff to handle situations like long wait times. Train them to communicate clearly with customers about what is happening.
- Train your staff to provide appropriate menu recommendations. This is because many pilgrims have dietary restrictions based on their religious beliefs.
- Train your staff to be empathetic and understanding. Provide a warm and welcoming environment for customers to rest and recharge.
Promote your restaurant during pilgrimage season with SMSCountry
There you have it.
Five important tips to promote your restaurant during the pilgrimage season. Don’t stop there. Use the power of SMS to attract and convert your potential customers.
Don’t know where to get started with SMS marketing?
SMSCountry is your ultimate SMS marketing partner.
SMSCountry provides a messaging platform for businesses of all sizes. You can use SMS, voice, and WhatsApp to connect with customers.
So, boost your sales with promotional messages and reach your target audience.
Schedule a demo now to see how SMSCountry can help you. You can also sign up for FREE and start your SMS marketing journey right away.
