building getaways & itineraries why do people travel? 73% agree “life has become too...
TRANSCRIPT
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 [email protected]
Carol Torricelli, CMPDirector of Domestic SalesVirginia Tourism Corporation901 E. Byrd StreetRichmond, VA [email protected]
Thank you!