List of Possible Marketing Initiatives
These are specific examples, based on activities, natural features, and affinity groups.
The following is a compilation of the results from Montana Lodging and Hospitality Association meeting in Butte, Montana, which consisted first of a morning session titled, “Stakeholders in a Destination: Increasing Visitors through Collaborative Efforts,” which was an informative overview of how to involve all stakeholders in an area to derive a cohesive plan to drive tourism to that area followed by an afternoon interactive roundtable discussion. It is organized in three target marketing categories: National Parks Heritage and History, Outdoors, and Romantic Getaways and Lifestyle.
National Parks Heritage and History
National Parks Target Markets:
Office of Tourism
Bus tours
Driving tours
Families
International travelers
Niche: snowmobiling, hiking, bird watching, and so on
Outdoor clubs: photography clubs, bicycling, canoeing, and so on
Universities, school field trips
Seniors, RV travelers, campers
AAA, AARP, Canadian Auto Association
Elder Hostel, day trips, 1 to 5 days
What people are looking for
Landmarks
Wildlife
History
Geology
Driving tours
Internet
What to do
Geography
Accommodations
Travel about
Route or directions from airport
Podcast or regularly updated news feed
Plan
Research what the park has to offer, location
Heritage and History Ideas
International Travelers Asia, Canada, or Europe
Own family history
Farm exploration
Dude ranch or working ranch
Mining or Gold Rush
Westward Trail and Pioneer Settlements
Waterways
Preserved areas specific sites
Indian Reservations
Ghost Towns
Archaeology or Geology
Museums
Battlefields or forts
Getting the Word Out: Outdoors
Hunting, Fishing, Skiing, Hot Springs, Hiking, Biking, Water Sports, and so on
Packages
Partnering with outfitters and guides
Information to distribute at a county level
Partner with the state to market your area
Use social media sites, create links to your presence on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and so on and make sure each of those links is featured on each social media site (e.g., have links to your Twitter and LinkedIn page on your Facebook page) (Target specific groups): Advertise specials
PayPerClick advertising
Clubs in other regions
PR and family trips
FourSquare, smartphone apps, and so on
Educate community
Share ideas for events with your local Tourism Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
Incentives for referrals from guides or outfitters
Shuttles to or from outdoor activities
Local events or activities tickets available at front desk
Packages thinking outside the box
Utilize school programs
Romantic Getaways and Lifestyle
#1 Feeders in state WA, OR, MN, ID, ND, SD, Canada
Targets
Weekend getaways
Culinary travel and cooking demos
Festivals
Theater
Anniversaries, reunions, receptions guest list
February plan date
Shopping meccas
Hot springs and beauty spots
Amtrak stopovers
Brunch, Dinner, Wine trains, or Cruise
Forecasting and Liaising
Newspaper lifestyle
VIA
Sunset
Canadian papers
Regional travel guides
Example Specials or Packages
Please your Honey Button: Her interest is premiere
Spa Weekend for Two... + Golf
Yellowstone Snowmobile Motel Packages
Sporting events
Hot Springs Weekend Getaways
Girlfriend Getaways Spa, shopping, fine dining, champagne tasting, and so on
Crafts Weekend: scrapbooking, quilting, knitting
Harley Clubs
Car Clubs