It seems like a straightforward transaction. You give a tour operator information and reasons why they should send group business to your attraction. You decide on rates, dates and details. They send the group and everyone is happy. But did you know that bus drivers and tour guides often have input into an attraction and […]
The importance of the driver and the tour guide to your business Read More »
Co-opetition is a term that combines competition and cooperation. As much as I dislike the current political cycle, it was interesting to listen in when Ted Cruz said that he and John Kaisich would strike up a partnership of sorts, with the goal of defeating Donald Trump in two of the primaries. It failed miserably
Coopetition thrives in the Tourism industry. Read More »
DMOs, or Destination Marketing Organizations, exist to promote the visitor attractions and lodging in a location. DMO’s can promote cities, counties, regions, states or even the entire country ( like BrandUSA ). DMO’s help to extend your marketing and sales efforts and are there to help your attraction succeed. DMO’s are funded in two ways. Taxes collected
DMOs – your long term partners for success Read More »
One of the things that I like best about the tourism industry is how it is ever changing and evolving. Technology, world politics and economics help to change the tourism landscape every year. Here are the other five words I presented at a VisitRochester event. 6. TripAdvisor If you are in the tourism industry, you have to be
10 Words to know for success in the Tourism Industry in 2016 – Part 2 Read More »
I spoke at a VisitRochester travel trade event earlier this year. I was asked to give attendees information on the travel trade and how to increase business from the international market. I distilled it down to the following 10 terms that I believe define the trends for this year and the near future. Let me
10 Words to know for success in the Tourism Industry in 2016 – Part 1 Read More »
Have you heard of WeChat? It is a free messaging app that is used by over half a billion people ( according to the iTunes app store ). It began in China a few years ago and is the #1 way that Chinese keep in touch. As with everything in the Chinese market, something small becomes
WeChat is a great way to build relationships in the Chinese tour market Read More »
There has never been a better time to be a small business owner. The development of new businesses such as Fivver and Vistaprint have made expensive and time consuming tasks easy to accomplish. That should leave you more time to market and sell your attraction. Here are some tools I use. Fivver. This website connects
Online tools to help your tourism business be more successful Read More »
Here’s one of the challenges with young front line staff- they always think there is nothing to do in the area. In fact, I once had a student that I had been training for a position in the hotel industry tell me she didn’t know why anyone would even come to her hometown! And this from
There's never anything to do in your own hometown Read More »
You might not be getting a lot of Chinese group tours now, but they are coming. Statistics show that close to 2.2 million Chinese will visit the U.S. in 2014. When these groups first started arriving in 2007, most of them stayed in our largest cities, visited major attractions and shopped at high-end shops and
The Top 10 Ways to help bring more Chinese Visitors to your door Read More »
Spring and summer bring the high school and college students out looking for summer internships – either as a way to make money or a way to fulfill a college credit requirement. Interns hope to learn about their chosen industry through the jobs they perform, and employers hope to get some free or inexpensive help during the busy season. I
Working with interns- 9 tips for a great experience Read More »
