SME Toolbox

Booked on WhatsApp, rated on Reels: How SMEs are winning customers without a website

September 25, 2025

‘No website? No problem.’ This might sound like a bold brag, but for thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Travel & Tourism sector today, it is the new reality. In a digital age, small travel operators across the globe, especially in destinations like India, Bali, Vietnam, and Morocco, are rewriting the rules. They are running successful businesses powered by nothing more than WhatsApp, Instagram Reels, and local marketplace listings. This has resulted in cost savings, stronger customer relationships, and a fresh sense of authenticity that customers are craving.

Climate resilience directly contributes to the stability of tourism destinations. By implementing measures to mitigate and adapt to climate change, destinations can protect their natural resources, which are often the primary attractions for tourists. For instance, destinations like Puerto Rico and the Philippines have developed sophisticated resilience strategies that include climate risk assessments, biodiversity conservation plans, and hazard mapping.1,2 These measures help preserve beaches, forests, and other natural assets that are crucial for tourism.

‘No website? No problem.’ This might sound like a bold brag, but for thousands of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Travel & Tourism sector today, it is the new reality. In a digital age, small travel operators across the globe, especially in destinations like India, Bali, Vietnam, and Morocco, are rewriting the rules. They are running successful businesses powered by nothing more than WhatsApp, Instagram Reels, and local marketplace listings. This has resulted in cost savings, stronger customer relationships, and a fresh sense of authenticity that customers are craving.

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