building getaways & itineraries why do people travel? 73% agree “life has become too...

Building Getaways & Itineraries

Why do people travel?73% agree “Life has become too complicated.”

76% agree “I need new ways to reduce my stress.”

86% agree travel increases their level of happiness and provides positive feelings.

82% say travel builds or strengthens their relationship with family and friends.

Consumers want time to catch their breath and reconnect with loved ones, especially children.

Consumers like to take many weekend getaways.

ONLINE SHOPPING

We have the world at our fingertips in a fraction

of a second.

The easier you make it,the more likely you will close the sale.

CLUSTER– but no lists

It is important to cluster activities and attractions to create a longer stay.

Provide a variety of experiences.

Travelers Are Looking For... People search the internet by activity or interest.

They usually do not search a locality first!

GOOGLE , YAHOO, BING

Hiking/BikingWine/Craft Beer

ATVs/ Motorcycle Shops /Roller Coasters

Whales/Music Chocolate/ BBQ

Looking for TRIP IDEAS

WEB PAGE TRIP IDEAS

http://www.frommers.comhttp://www.vacationsandtravelmag.comhttp://www.budgettravel.comhttp://www.fodors.com/http://www.southernliving.com

They are HUNGRY For TRIP IDEAS

*Topics: Passion *Intensity: Light, Medium or Moderate *Cost: Luxury or Economy *People: Kids, Foodies, Shoppers *Message: Adrenaline, Relaxation

Personalize Your Getaway

Day 1: Arrive in Afternoon: Dinner and Entertainment?

Day 2: Morning? Lunch? Afternoon and Evening?

Day 3 Morning? Lunch?We need to leave around 3:00 pm

Offer 2 or 3 choices…..

CREATE A GETAWAY

BBQ, Barns and Butterflies

Things that Go Bump In the Night Cool Nights, Hot Tunes

Any Ideas?????

Pick a Snazzy Name

*Specific Name of Attraction or Business *Teaser: Why is it worth a visit?

*Distances from other attractions?

*How much time spent there?

GET SPECIFIC

GET SPECIFIC*Cost of admission? *Hours and days of operation?

*Web site, phone, QR Code

*Age appropriate families with kids? Older adults, young fit adults, young at heart?

Why Should They Buy From You?

Sale the Experience

www.Virginia.org

Romantic Fall Getaways

Fall in Virginia Getaways

Heartwarming Getaways

Kids And Family Getaways

http://www.vatc.org/emarketing/getaways/forms

Getaway Submission Form

Posting on Virginia.org

• Getaway Type: Cntrl-Click to select more than one

• Title:  SNAZZY• Brief Summary: (max 250 characters)

• Getaway Highlights: (List 3-8 attractions, unique selling points, and/or unexpected pleasures.)

 • Location(s): 

• Where to Stay: (List 3-5 options. Include a variety of listings - i.e. Resort, B&B, Hotel, Cottage/Cabin etc.)

• Where to Dine: (List 3-5 options. Include a variety; prefer listings that offer local cuisine and unique attributes.) 

• Itinerary Description of Getaway: 300-500 words 

•Day 1:  

•Day 2:  •Day 3:  • Ideas to extend the stay:

• Name:  • Organization:  • Email Address: • Website URL:  • Images: Please email Mary Bishop 4-5 images with

captions provided. Use “Virginia Getaway Images: title of getaway” as the subject line of the email.

 To the best of my knowledge the tourism related businesses listed

in this getaway are listed on Virginia.org.    

Submit Form

ItinerariesYour Best Marketing Tools

Domestic Sales Mission: Showcase Virginia as a premier destination to the Tour &

Travel, Meetings & Conventions and Sports Events markets to garner economic development.

We accomplish our marketing initiatives through… Your visibility and product developments Partnerships and promotions with DS initiatives

Statewide economic impact in 2013…

Tourism, the Economic Engine…

Tourism, the Economic Engine…

Authenticity & creativity, the “why visit”

Lure their tours, the “must-do’s” Hub & Spoke, 3-4 nights+ 3-hours, single or multi-day

Ability to customize your sales efforts… Getaways for consumers Itineraries for Tour & Travel buyers Packages on blogs, social media

The “where” and “who” follows

Product Development: Must-Have Must-Do Review

You’ve created it, now promote it…

o Sales and marketing plan initiatives

o Include face-time and media mix

o Join professional membership associations

o Make a long term commitment

o New business could take up to 3 years!

Tools of the Trades

Customize your content to many audiences:

Students, adults, multi-generational, niche Familiarization tours Meetings pre or post trips Travel writers Sports competitions

What happens if you don’t have what you need?

Showcase Your Products

Foster 3 local and regional partnerships…and…

You’re now ready for an MLP Grant!

Supports your marketing plans

Your partners help sell your tour products

Partnerships – Get Out There!

…May the sales process begin!

Now What’s Next?

Partner with VTC Domestic Sales Initiatives…

Participate in Marketing Calendar of trade shows Each show generates sales lead e-reports Check The Travel Post for announcements

Partnerships – Get Out There!

We’re passing the torch on to you!Leads are new prospects for your sales action!An instant database of interested buyersNew business = economic development!

Prospects: The Relay Race of Sales…

Get Ready- Get Set on VATC.org

www.vatc.org/Marketing/GroupsMeetingsSports www.vatc.org/marketing/instructionsSI/

Now you are ready for Virginia.org/groups

www.virginia.org/gsm/groups/

You Did It! You’re up for sale on Virginia.org

www.virginia.org/directory/suggesteditinerary www.virginia.org/Listings/SuggestedItinerary/AbingdonDoesTheOutdoors/

You Did It Again! You’re up for sale on buyer’s websites!

www.ustours.biz www.burkechristiantours.com

You Did It! You’re up for sale!www.shenandoahtours.com

www.colonialconnections.com

Visit www.VATC.org for a myriad of resources:

www.vatc.org/tourism/newsletter-signup/ - The Travel Post

blog.virginia.org/ www.Facebook.com/VirginiaIsForLovers www.linkedin.com/home www.YouTube.com/VisitVirginia www.Instagram.com/VisitVirginia www.Twitter.com/VisitVirginia

Digital Marketing calendar of upcoming content marketing topics:

• www.vatc.org/emarketing/contentmarketing/

Putting Your Best Feet Forward…

Market your itineraries on Virginia.org/groups

Promote at Trade Shows, Sales Missions

Request our Domestic Sales Lead e-Reports Tour & Travel Meetings & Conventions Send your customized itineraries

Remember, they are… prospects for new business New business = economic development great way to build your business

Be Visible with your Itineraries…

Have fun with your stories… Sing your songs! Be in harmony with your partners… Go digital but stay personable… People always need people…

Share the LOVE with the World…

Kitty Barker,  Development Specialist Partnership Alliance Marketing Virginia Tourism Corporation14421 Heather Drive Bristol, VA 24202 276-466-8772 kbarker@virginia.org

Carol Torricelli, CMPDirector of Domestic SalesVirginia Tourism Corporation901 E. Byrd StreetRichmond, VA 23219ctorricelli@virginia.org804-545-5543

Thank you!