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How to Promote Local Tourism

When it comes to promoting your tourism business – whether you’re an attraction, restaurant, museum or hotel, you may feel like you’re all alone. Luckily, that’s not the case. By working with your Destination Marketing Organization ( DMO ) or Tourism Promotion Agency ( TPA ), you’re able to get some free marketing that will help to distribute your message beyond your own efforts, and attract more visitors. Consider it as having someone in your corner that wants your business to succeed just as much as you do.

How to Promote Local Tourism

There are a few things you need to know in order to get the most exposure possible. Here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of your partnership with local and regional tourism offices.

How DMOs Support Tourism

First, let’s talk about how local and state tourism offices are working to support local tourism. There is a lot that goes into promoting a destination – and most of it is behind the scenes.

Every local and regional tourism office has a website. Some are more in-depth than others, but they usually have listings for the same categories: things to do, lodging, food and drink. This is where visitors can find the contact information for specific attractions and businesses, as well as pictures and descriptions. Most websites also have event calendars that showcase festivals, performances, even seminars taking place across the region.

Most tourism offices still distribute thousands of printed brochures via welcome centers, thruway stops and visitor requests. Through gorgeous photos and captivating language, guides or brochures paint an overall picture of what a visitor can expect. Many also offer ad space if you want to stand out in front of an interested audience.

Hear from marketing expert Robert Rose on building an addressable and interested audience in Episode 126 of Destination on the Left.

Press releases

When there is an announcement – such as a new restaurant in town or a state park winning a national award –  the tourism office will send out a press release, which could get picked up by regional or national publications. It may even generate interest from media who want an interview or travel writers who want to experience it for themselves.

Press releases are not limited to local marketing offices. Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council (FLRTC), the official promotion organization for the 14-county Finger Lakes Vacation Region, distributes monthly press releases highlighting regional assets. Examples include activities to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage and new tourism assets that opened in the last six months.

See how we built brand awareness through PR outreach and attracting media attention.

Blog posts are an interesting way to promote multiple assets at once. They provide a roundup of attractions with a common theme, and are usually written more conversationally than other marketing pieces. Blogs can also provide a deeper look into a niche topic as it relates to a destination, than say, a brochure could.  Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes does a great job at this by providing a perfect picnic guide  and  tasty salad spots around Corning’s Gaffer District. 

Social Media

All of the different tactics listed above provide great content for a tourism office. Events, announcements, media placements and blogs can be shared across social media channels.

Large Activations

Tourism offices can reach larger audiences with a presence at popular events and exhibits.

Depending on the event, attendees may be from another city or even another state. A major event is the perfect place to promote its destination to an audience that’s already there, that may be unfamiliar with the area and is most likely looking for other things to do. The TPA can share the best places to go, eat or sleep, and hand out branded materials or collateral.

Governor Cuomo invested in ten new welcome centers across New York State in recent years, with the goal to promote local tourism. Each welcome center highlights that region’s renowned tourism destinations through photos, videos, Taste NY market and artifact wall. I Love NY worked closely with local and regional tourism offices to gather artifacts and iconic symbols from partners that visually explain the history and culture of the region. The Southern Tier welcome center , for example, includes a race car from Watkins Glen International and hanging glass sculpture from the Corning Museum of Glass.

Commercials

Marketing offices with larger budgets – think state tourism offices – run T.V. commercials to promote to both state-wide and out of state audiences. You may have seen commercials from I Love NY, showcasing various assets and attractions across the state – from equal rights history to fun outdoor activities.

How Can you Help?

There are plenty of ways you can help your tourism office promote you. It starts with getting on their radar!

Update them Constantly

First, make sure to tell them when any contact information or website links have changed. Having current contact information for the organization and proper links to social media and website pages are a must in order to get promoted.

Secondly, let your TPA or DMO know whenever you have something new and exciting – such as a new restaurant, new product, new event or new drink. Nothing is too big or too small. Local tourism offices get requests for information about assets that fit a specific topic. For example, a PR agency may have a lead on a writer looking for “top rated resorts in the Finger Lakes Region” or “dishes utilizing fresh and seasonal ingredients.” Make sure you communicate clearly and frequently enough that your tourism office understands what makes you different. Once they’re aware of the awesome things you’re doing, they’ll have what they need to include your attraction in pitches to the media or on FAMs.

Submit Events

As I mentioned above, TPAs have event calendars on their websites. This helps visitors to the website (and the destination) quickly see what is going on while they’re in town. Tourism offices also tend to promote local happenings across their social media channels, giving your event more reach. And if it’s unique enough, the event may be worth pitching to the media for coverage. Make sure your TPA knows about your event so you can get this easy, added exposure.

Do you have a bizarre stat you can boast? A quirky cocktail that uses a unique ingredient? Maybe your museum is haunted by an anti-alcohol advocate. Don’t shy away from the weird! Share these one-of-a-kind characteristics with your tourism office. Journalists and visitors are not looking for the same old, same old. Instead of a traditional fall activity, they’re more interested in seeing something like underwater pumpkin carving .

Respond Quickly and Completely

If your tourism office asks you for information, it is best to respond quickly and with plenty of information. Whenever possible, include photos, videos and quotes from notable staff. These requests usually come with a short turnaround because an agency, organization or journalist contacted them for inclusion in a press release, exhibit, media pitch or article.

Keep your Photography Up-to-Date

When they want to promote your asset or pitch it to the media, they’re going to need good, high-quality photos to show it off. And they’ll need them right away – you won’t have time to call up a professional photographer. So whenever you can, take photos of your asset. That includes in all seasons (show off your winery surrounded by blooming tulips and in front of colorful fall foliage) and during any special event ( capture your display during Pride Month ).

Keep learning with our handy list of travel and tourism terms, acronyms & abbreviations.

Colleen Onuffer

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Promotion Of Tourism (Essay Sample)

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Tourism is one of the most important resources to earn foreign exchange and boost the country’s economy. The tourism industry is booming nowadays which is why the competition is also becoming tough among all the top tourist destinations. Because of the growing competition, owners of small tourist spots along with politicians and bureaucrats from different countries are striving to promote tourism in their region and country. Nowadays there are multiple methods to promote international and local tourism. In this essay, I will list all the effective ways of promoting tourism.

Table of Contents

How To Promote Tourism Essay Sample- 700 Word Long Essay

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Whether you are trying to promote a specific tourist spot, a hotel, some museum, or even a whole country you must ask yourself how you can promote this tourism business. We all know that the tourism industry is ever booming and once you get going with tourism marketing it can generate a heavy cash inflow. Tourism marketing, if done correctly can influence people’s decisions when they are trying to choose a country or a specific tourist spot. Marketing tourism can help attract visitors from all over the world towards the promoted tourist destinations. In this essay, I will discuss how tourism management can help you attract potential tourists from all over the world.

Country Tourism Marketing

Let’s first talk about how tourism can be promoted at a country level. Just like destination marketing, country marketing promotes a country to attract more tourists. However, country marketing focuses on a whole region instead of a specific place. Country marketing works by improving the image of a country on an international level. The political leaders and bureaucrats should be asked to mention must-see sites of their country in their speeches. They should also welcome tourists from all over the world by easing travel restrictions and by providing tax relief. Country marketing can create huge sums of money to assist a country’s economy by increasing foreign exchange reserves.

Promoting A Specific Tourist Attraction

To promote a specific tourist attraction you have to highlight all the unique benefits the place offers and explain why is it different. You also have to describe the competitive advantage of that place among all other places in the world. You should also explain why this tourist destination can be a perfect match for all your traveling needs.

Identify Target Visitors

Just like small and large businesses you should also start by identifying your target market. If your tourist attraction is in Europe then you should target all the people who have easy visa access to European countries. Your target campaigns should also be according to people’s interests. This means that if you are trying to attract people from Italy then you should focus on promoting World Heritage Sites and Archeological Treasures in your country. If people are looking for honeymoon spots then you should tell them why your hotel or tourist spot is the perfect fit for them. You can promote your tourist’s spot by describing how close it is to the airport, the low costs you offer, and the scenic beauty all around your place.  

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Attract Influencers From Target Country

In order to attract more visitors from the target country, you should reach out to influencers from the target country having millions of followers. It is one of the best ways to promote the tourism industry and attract local tourism. People nowadays follow the advice of influencers and once they recommend a place then your tourist spot will definitely get more visits than average. These influencers can be bloggers, celebrities, or vloggers with millions of followers on any social media platform. Tiktok and Instagram are top social media platforms to look for influencers if you want to do tourism promotion.

Promote Your Tourist Spot on Travel Websites

 No matter if you have a hotel in a tourist spot or you own a local travel agency, promoting it on travel websites is always a good idea. People nowadays always consult travel websites before making a decision about where they want to travel. Using paid ads and promotions to promote tourist destinations will definitely increase people’s interest to visit your place.

In conclusion, there are many different ways to promote tourism nowadays. However, social media promotion is the king of all when it comes to promoting the hospitality industry and tourism sector. You should keep these factors in mind while promoting your to attract more potential tourists.

Essay Example Of Promoting A Tourist Spot – 300 Word Short Custom Essay

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The promotion of tourism is an important adherent for a community to increase the visibility of the country or destination to foreign tourists. The goal of promoting tourism is to increase the number of local and international tourists. Tourism campaigns are promising factors for countries to generate a sustainable environment for tourism development. There are different ways to promote a specific tourist spot. In this essay, I will describe how you can promote a tourist spot by promoting Amalfi Coast in Italy. 

First of all, you have to describe why you should visit that tourist spot by pointing out the exclusives with the help of tourism research. In the case of the Amalfi Coast, you should describe that Italy is home to the longest coastline among all the European countries. Amalfi Coast is full of breathtaking views and amazing beaches. The lodging industry of Italy offers full-scale services to all tourists.

After describing the exclusives you should mention other benefits of visiting that particular tourist spot. In the case of the Amalfi Coast, it must be mentioned that Italy has a canal system like no other country. Exploring this canal system and exploring the coastline is an adventure worth your time and money. The seafood and Italian cuisine served around the Amalfi Coast are the most incredible food you will ever taste.

Lastly, you should describe how you can promote the tourist spot through social media and other online platforms. In this case, you should provide a destination image, mention free resources, and the advantages of traveling to that tourist destination on social media. For instance, the Amalfi Coast of Italy should be promoted on travel agencies’ websites, social media platforms, and through local influencers.  The ads should describe why the Amalfi Coast of Italy is a top tourist spot that should be visited by everyone. So these are the most effective ways of promoting a tourist spot.

Do you like these sample essays about How To Promote Tourism? Reach out to Essay Basics to get a professionally written plagiarism-free and unique custom essay on any topic in less than 3 hours.

FAQ About How To Promote Tourism Business

How to promote or improve tourism in your community.

There are many ways to promote local tourism in your community. The best way to promote the tourism industry is through social media marketing and local influencers having many followers.

What Is The Importance Of Tourism?

Tourism promotion is very important for the tourism system to survive. International and local tourism is the means to earn foreign exchange for countries to boost their economy.

promoting local tourism essay

promoting local tourism essay

5 Ways to Promote Your City or Town to Increase Tourism

At a time when travel restrictions are implemented, cities and towns are frantically searching for ways to increase tourism.

The internet is filled with travel guides and firsthand accounts of visitors detailing their experiences. It’s more difficult to come across tips from a local—someone who knows the ins and outs of the area. Unfortunately, we don’t all have the luxury of knowing someone within our destination’s limits. Consider these five tips when communicating your community’s charm to increase tourism:

Highlight the history and culture 

Every destination has its own unique story.

Aside from the well-known attractions, consider sharing some of your community’s lesser-known treasures. This may involve obscure facts about your town’s early settlers or the spooky tale about the mansion on Main Street. A picture of these treasures with a description of their significance is an opportunity for you to highlight your community’s unique history to increase tourism.

Share your tasty tips

There’s no feeling better than a full stomach after a day of exploring.

Food largely defines a community’s culture.  When promoting your city or town, be sure to discuss local dishes and the best places to try them. Consider explaining the flavor profile of the dish and the best way to eat it. With ketchup? With a root beer? At midnight? Who knows, maybe visitors will find their new favorite food or restaurant and come back for more!

Offer visitors a breath of fresh air

We all crave a breath of fresh air.

Provide visitors with the best spots to catch their breath and revel in the wonder of your community’s natural beauty. Be sure to detail the best seasons and times of day for visitors to capture the full essence of the landscape. Also, include any materials that they should consider bringing or leaving behind for their visit.

Suggest local stores and businesses

The word souvenir is French for “to remember.”

Tokens of remembrance can be as simple as a keychain or as complex as a scarf woven by natives. Present visitors with an opportunity to remember their visit to your community with recommendations for local stores and businesses. This is also an opportunity for you to help local businesses during these difficult times.

Include your personal testimony

They say that home is where the heart is.

Share the little things that you love about your city or town. This may include how you love the transition between one season to another, or your favorite road to drive down in the summer. Personal testimonies appeal to an audience’s emotions. Provide insight into the small and special things that define your love for your community.

Tip: Include hashtags (i.e., #NewOrleans, #ExploringTheCity, #GetInMyBelly) and/or create a page for your city or town. This will help potential visitors easily locate your stories and recommendations.

When implementing the tips listed above, be sure to consider all audiences (independent travelers, couples, families, and seniors). By showcasing your community’s local treasures and adding a personal touch, you can offer visitors valuable information on what to experience when visiting your community.

Enlist PivotPath’s team of innovative creators to help you fulfill these tips and increase your city or town’s tourism. Contact us  today for a consultation. 

Why Supporting Local Tourism is More Important Than Ever Before

promoting local tourism essay

I have been avoiding writing about this topic explicitly, but it would be insincere to not address the pandemic in the room. I believe that as a travel writer that I have a responsibility to share not only the best travel tips and destinations but to inform my readers about current policies, trends, or world events that influence travel.

Let me be very clear, I am not advocating for international travel at this time. If anything I am advocating for the exact opposite.

It is best practice to receive your information about the current travel policies of your locale via official sources. If where you live is not allowing any non-essential movement then do please respect these restrictions. Also, be mindful to comply with keeping distance between non-household members and wearing the necessary protective equipment.

Table of Contents

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry

It is no secret that the travel industry has been hit, and hit hard. I have seen friends and colleagues lose their businesses overnight. Many of my projects scheduled for this year are indefinitely postponed, and I lost my office space in the center of Ljubljana.

It isn’t just the small businesses that are suffering. Some of the biggest names in travel have been hit, too. Lonely Planet closed offices in Melbourne and London, Flybe went bankrupt in March, TripAdvisor laid off 25% of workers last week, and Airbnb laid off 25% of staff just this week and

According to the UNWTO (World Tourism Organization), 100% of destinations now have restrictions in place. Whether you realize it or not, that is significant. Tourism accounts for 10% of the global GDP . In the US, tourism generates $2.6 trillion in economic output and supports 15.8 million jobs. When faced with unemployment numbers over 30 million, you can’t help but assume half of those jobs also support tourism.

The UNWTO estimates that global international tourists’ arrivals will decrease 20-30% in 2020 for a potential loss of $30-50 billion (USD) . It is estimated that over 75 million jobs in tourism are at risk, the highest risk being in Asia. The numbers are not comforting. Jobs continue to be lost, travel remains to be suspended, and trips left untraveled.

African masks at Velenje Museum

Forecasting the Future of Travel

With grim data being broadcasted every day there are spaces where some of us are having discussions about the future of travel. There are discussions about what travel will look like in the immediate future through to a post-COVID-19 world.

Some experts are claiming that at the beginning people will choose road trips over plane travel. I can tell you that I have no plans to jump on a plane or train at the moment. When we begin to use these modes of transportation again there will be a shift to using disinfectants, limiting the number of passengers, or even be required to wear a mask.

Active and adventure-style travel will probably play a major role in the coming months as most activities are outside in nature. But on the other hand, doing activities like canyoning or wall climbing or anything that requires shared or rented equipment will need protocols for disinfecting and minimizing the risk of spreading diseases.

prsutarna scuka slovenia kras

There are also discussions about intentional and sustainable travel . It makes sense because these conversations had already begun prior, but you see a global shift and desire for more immersive and meaningful experiences . People want their money to go to the right place and their time to be spent well.

In the meantime, some of us in the industry are attempting to adapt. You might have noticed a few hashtags popping up across social media such as # TravelTomorrow or # ThankstoTravel . As tourism boards are encouraging travelers “Don’t cancel, postpone!” or “Visit Later” in an attempt to encourage those travelers to keep their planned trips, just postponed to a safer date . I think this is a great option if you have the possibility. Some airlines and hotels are accommodating the situation, while others have not .

Travel bloggers are attempting to salvage their views shifting content from itineraries to virtual tourism . Some companies are offering virtual degustations or even at-home virtual travel experiences .

The truth? We have no idea what will happen.

Everything is speculation .

Before this pandemic, the travel industry was concerned with over-tourism . The industry was ready for a shift and it needed it. Travel was quickly becoming very unsustainable as dirt-cheap flights could transport you across Europe for a few days. Cities like Venice and Barcelona were becoming unlivable for locals. In Slovenia, some days locals in Bled were asked not to drive because there were too many tourists.

Read | How To Travel More Sustainably?

We know that travel is forever changed.

Now we are presented with a moment to do things better.

Is Local Tourism the Answer?

That depends on who you ask. Some countries completely rely on foreign visitors to sustain their livelihoods. In the Maldives, tourism accounts for 28% of their GDP, in Slovenia, it is around 10%, but in the US it is only around 2.4%. That is a huge difference between countries.

If we might not be able to travel internationally until 2021 or later then what is the solution?

Travel local. Support local tourism so that they will be there when the flights take off again. These are the people who will (for some) represent your home and culture. Supporting local travel – wherever you go – is sustainable travel . If you are passionate about locations abroad check to see if you can buy any products, food, or gift vouchers to continue to support those businesses.

ljubljana

So maybe I should be shouting “Support Local!” rather than “Travel Local!” but I feel like travel gets left out of the former’s rhetoric. It is hard to imagine local travel but I want to reiterate that I am referring to either traveling locally or supporting local businesses while you travel.

Supporting local businesses helps with something called leakage . This refers to the revenue that is lost once it goes to a foreign-owned business. This can be a hotel, restaurant, or even a tour company. If the company is foreign-based that directly influences where the revenue and taxes of that company go.

In some places, this is a very serious issue that is negatively affecting local populations who are being used to support these businesses.  I have good news though! There is something amazing that happens when you decide to support local businesses.

The Local Multiplier Effect

There is this concept in economics called the local multiplier effect. It refers to the additional economic benefits when money is spent locally . It has been documented that a higher percentage of that money will be recirculated in the community. This can be directly through hiring local employees or purchasing local equipment or indirectly if that money is spent at another local business. The third way that the money is recirculated is via employees when they spend their money locally.

A study compared chain stores versus independent ones and the results were shocking. A chain store will recirculate, on average, only 13.6% of revenue while the independent locally-owned stores average 48%.

Independent retailers are returning three times as much to the community compared to chain stores .

Aside from more money circulating locally, other studies show that local businesses contribute to greater income growth, more jobs , fewer inequalities , and less strain on public subsidies that large corporations often benefit from.

And it is not just an economic return that should be the goal of supporting local. A very important benefit is the deep connection that a locally-owned business will have with the local community. Research shows that a business can influence the well being of a community, contribute to the social capital, and increase population health (Blanchard et al 2011).

There is evidence that the local population is more likely to be civically involved and vote when their community is predominantly locally-owned small businesses.

Supporting locally-owned businesses improves the entire community’s wellbeing. If you take a look at the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for tourism you will notice that supporting local improves almost every goal on the list.

Tourism is a powerful tool for bringing people out of poverty and environmental conservation. Across the world, it is documented that tourism is bringing jobs, especially to rural areas, minorities, and women. It raises awareness for environmental and animal issues and fosters tolerance and understanding between different cultures.

promoting local tourism essay

How to Be a Tourist at Home

Being a tourist at home does not have to be dull or boring. I guarantee for most people there is at least one if not more activities that you never experienced in your area.

Last fall I visited my hometown and since I haven’t lived there in well over 10 years I didn’t exactly know a lot of people. Left to entertain myself, I went to Google and literally typed “things to do in Scranton” and “sightseeing in Scranton” just like when I visit a new place. I sat there in my hotel room in shock as I never did any of these things.

The next day I set off to Scranton to visit the Electric Trolly Museum and the Steamtown Historical Site. I even rode on an original electric trolly from 93 years ago on a route that ceased operation in 1954.

I had a great time there and learned about myself, my culture, and my ancestors. I was sharing my experiences via Instagram stories and was shocked at the number of people in the area who never even knew the museum was there!

Here is my call to action. Once it is safe to do so, plan one local outing being a tourist in your town. Just try it once. If you don’t know where to start about how to find local things to do or see, message me and I will personally give you a few ideas or direct you to someone who can.

Read | 8 Reasons Why You Should Travel Locally & Ideas for Your Next Adventure

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Try a local restaurant that makes traditional food
  • Try a local restaurant that makes a cuisine you never tried
  • Visit a different cafe than your usual
  • Browse local hashtags and location tags on Instagram
  • Follow travel bloggers focusing on your town, region, or country
  • Volunteer with a local organization
  • Take a local walking tour
  • Take a tour through a local food producer
  • Visit a local museum
  • Visit a local artisan (glass blowing, lacemaking, ceramics)
  • Visit your local historical society
  • Plan a themed road trip (see local highlights, find the best donut, only places starting with S, etc)
  • Buy a travel guide to your region/state/country and do activities from it
  • Spend a weekend in a local hotel (romantic, girls weekend, etc)

Satisfy your wanderlust by exploring your region. You might be surprised at what you find. Shifting your mindset to recognize the importance and value of supporting local at home and abroad will help support a more sustainable world for everyone.

promoting local tourism essay

Save this article for later

Pin this article to Pinterest to reference later or to share with friends.

promoting local tourism essay

Thank you for reading!

Thank you as always for taking a moment to read Wandering Helene. Traveling and supporting local is a topic I am very passionate about and a philosophy that guides my adventures. I would love to hear your thought on the topic below and do please feel free to reach out if you need any advice to get started. -Helene

ADDITIONAL SOURCES:

These are sources that were not able to be linked above but were read in preparation for this article.

Blanchard, Troy C., Charles Tolbert, and Carson Mencken, Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society. ( 2011).

Blanchard, Troy C., and Todd L. Matthews. The Configuration of Local Economic Power and Civic Participation in the Global Economy. Social Forces . (2006).

Blanchard, Troy C., Charles Tolbert, and Carson Mencken. The health and wealth of US counties: how the small business environment impacts alternative measures of development.  Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy, and Society . (2012).

Patel, Maine Amar and Garret Martin. Going Local Quantifying the Economic Impacts of Buying from Locally Owned Businesses in Portland, Maine. Maine Center for Economic Policy . (2011).

2 thoughts on “Why Supporting Local Tourism is More Important Than Ever Before”

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Having everything shut down due to pandemic situation, I started exploring the unexplored sides near my hometown. To my surprise, I realized I had been missing gems in the glare of commercial tourism that I had been doing so far. Traveling local supports the local people and community.

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The global tourism industry has been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been a significant drop in tourism activities as a result of travel restrictions, border closures, and virus fear. Travel agencies, lodging facilities, airlines, and other associated companies have suffered significant financial setbacks. Millions of jobs have been lost, particularly in nations where tourism is a major industry. Particularly hard hit are destinations that depend largely on foreign tourists. But innovation has also been spurred by the crisis; virtual tours and eco-friendly travel are becoming more popular. There is hope for recovery as long as vaccination campaigns continue, but the long-term effects are still unknown.

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Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Cooperative community, Sacred Valley.

Community-based tourism: how your trip can make a positive impact on local people

Community-based tourism can reap great rewards. Done well, it enables local organisations to protect precious habitats, preserve unique culture and empower grassroots employees.

In the mid-1990s, the remote community of Klemtu in Canada’s British Columbia had to make a choice. Hit hard by the collapse of the fishing and forestry industries, unemployment was rocketing, and options were running out. But they knew there were two things in the Great Bear Rainforest that you couldn’t get anywhere else: their own Indigenous culture and the rare, ghostly-white Kermode bear, also known as the Spirit Bear. And that’s how Spirit Bear Lodge was born: a showcase of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation, and an entry point for exploring the extraordinary wilderness of the largest temperate rainforest on Earth, with the added benefit of spotting those elusive bears, along with wolves, whales and brown bears. Today, the lodge is a blueprint for conservation-based, community-based tourism, with a string of successes under its belt: the surrounding rainforest is now protected from logging, bear hunting has been banned and the community has a steady income. It has also, they say, fuelled a cultural renaissance. “The lodge has created opportunities for young and old to thrive in their homelands, while educating people from around the world with our rich culture,” explains Roxanne Robinson, guest services manager at the lodge. Guests learn about Kitasoo/Xai’xais culture from the lodge staff and their guides on wildlife expeditions, kayaking tours and cultural visits, while younger community members drop by as part of the Súa Educational Foundation programme. “Súa means ‘thunder’ in our language, and they come to share stories, songs and dances with guests in our traditional big house,” says Robinson. Guests not only have an incredible experience, but they can also sleep easy knowing that their tourist dollars are doing good. Doing good, if reports are anything to go by, is something we all want to do more of. According to an American Express poll last year, 72% of travellers want to help boost tourism revenue in local economies. And the latest sustainability report by Booking.com showed that 73% of travellers would like to have authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture; 84% believe that preservation of cultural heritage is crucial; and 76% want to be sure that their economic impact is spread equally throughout society. So, being a responsible traveller is no longer just about protecting the environment or reducing our carbon footprints. It’s about how our tourist dollars can do good in the places we visit. It’s about communities. It’s taking the ‘buy local’ mantra — supporting your neighbourhood bookshop instead of buying on Amazon, say, or eating in a local restaurant instead of McDonald’s — and using it on your travels. When travelling, though, buying locally can be more nuanced. It could mean eating out in a local restaurant — but who owns the restaurant? Are the staff local but the profits going abroad? Does the restaurant support local producers and farmers, or are the ingredients imported? Is the attached gift shop a showcase of Indigenous craftsmanship, or are the souvenirs all made in China?  

promoting local tourism essay

It is, in other words, complicated. “Is it tourism that takes place in a community?” asks Dr Albert Kimbu, head of tourism and transport at the University of Surrey. “Or is it tourism that’s actively engaging and benefitting communities?” That’s the key. That’s the question we, as travellers, need to be asking. “My take on community-based tourism, or CBT,” explains Dr Kimbu, “is that it has to be by the community, for the community.” In other words, if a hotel or lodge takes guests to visit a local school, or to see a cultural dance in a local village, which might be taking place in the community — is the community genuinely benefitting? They might be getting paid, but it could also be straight-up cultural exploitation. Jamie Sweeting, CEO of Planeterra, the non-profit partner of G Adventures, which specialises in community tourism, agrees: “It needs to be owned, led and run by the communities themselves.” Why? “Because,” explains Dr Kimbu, “When communities become aware that what they have is a product that can be sold, then they have a stake in protecting it.” Take the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge in Rwanda. The saleable product here is the mountain gorilla that inhabits Volcanoes National Park next door. Visitors will pay a high price to see them in the wild. Working with Sacola, a local non-profit, the idea of a lodge that’s 100%-owned and -run by the community was born, with all profits going back into social and economic projects, as well as conservation within the park. It’s worked a treat. Since opening in 2006, US$4m (£3m) has gone into community and conservation projects, while the gorilla population in the park now includes 10 different gorilla groups. So, the community recognised the financial benefits of their neighbouring gorillas and now benefit by protecting their environment. But CBT at its best goes way beyond employing locally. It means the community gets to decide how to protect the culture and environment on which it depends. So, the community benefits, the environment and local culture is safeguarded, and the resulting economic benefits stay within the community. Win-win-win. There are ripple effects, too. Spier, a wine estate in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region, has a Growing for Good programme, which includes mentoring and assisting local entrepreneurs to create businesses that can then be used by Spier. This has worked with a local laundry service, for example, as well as a taxi service used by its guests. And Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada is all about the ripple effects, having been created entirely for the benefit of the local community. This 29-room luxury inn was built by local philanthropist Zita Cobb through her Shorefast Foundation, and 100% of operating surpluses are reinvested in the community — a community that was in dire straits just a decade ago, thanks to the collapse of the global cod market.  

Power in partnership

Sabyinyo, Spier and Fogo are examples of when it works. When it doesn’t work, community involvement is nothing short of exploitation. As Amanda Ho, the co-founder of Regenerative Travel, puts it: “In many cases, what we’ve seen is communities around the world angry that their health, wellbeing, and priorities are not being recognised or respected by tourism.” Jamie Sweeting tells me about a particular lodge in Botswana — he won’t name names — which was ‘talking the talk’ about working with the Indigenous San. “The website was shouting about empowering the local community,” he says. But when Planeterra did some digging, it found that while the San were used to put on cultural shows at the lodge, they were earning below the living wage and staying in poor accommodation with barely enough food. Planeterra worked with the local San people to promote and upskill the community-owned Dqae Qare San Lodge nearby, helping them gain direct access to the same markets the other lodge was benefitting from.  

“Community-based tourism can be especially beneficial in empowering women, who are often responsible for the homestay or dining components of a trip” Francisca Kellett

That lack of access to market — and the lack of the knowledge, skills and infrastructure needed to run a successful travel business — is key. As Justin Francis of Responsible Travel puts it: “Being able to access the distribution chains of the tourism industry — to get guests through the doors — is difficult without the partnership of an established tour operator.” When CBT first appeared around 20-25 years ago, he says, NGOs and donors would pitch up at communities, build beautiful ecolodges, but allow the communities very little say — and then fail to provide the training, infrastructure and business know-how to lead to any kind of success.  

Having a voice, Francis says, is key where elected community representatives participate in the decision making: “The driving force behind successful CBT projects is local people setting the terms. It’s about them making informed decisions around how tourism develops.” In the case of the Ccaccaccollo Women’s Weaving Cooperative in Peru’s Sacred Valley, it was three women that had that voice. “When they first came to us, only a handful could do traditional Inca weaving,” Sweeting says. Led by those women, Planeterra assisted with training, infrastructure and marketing, and the co-op has boomed, now owned and run by more than 65 individuals, with an attached homestay attracting overnight visitors. CBT can be especially beneficial in empowering women, who are often responsible for the homestay or dining components of a trip. Dreamcatchers, a tour operator in South Africa, recognised this over 30 years ago, and helped launch a range of CBT enterprises including ‘Kammama’, a selection of nationwide, women-run homestays and experiences, from cooking courses in Soweto to an overnight stay with a family in the Cape Winelands. In the case of Ccaccaccollo, the ripple effect has been a huge uptick in education in the community: all the women involved are now fully literate in Spanish, the first generation to achieve this locally, and most have children in tertiary education — another first. “And there has been an uplift in the pride in their culture. They’re embracing it. They can see that people from dozens of countries travel to visit them because they have something special to offer,” says Sweeting. That special offering is what’s in it for us. “For travellers, CBT offers a genuinely authentic experience and insight into local life,” says Zina Bencheikh, at Intrepid Travel. “Travellers are welcomed into a community and have the chance to immerse themselves.” Intrepid now aims to bring a degree of CBT into many of its sustainable, small-group adventure tours. “Our clients often talk about our CBT experiences as one of the unexpected highlights of their trip,” says Bencheikh. So how do we spot the good guys? How do we know whether a lodge or restaurant or experience that claims to benefit a community genuinely is?   “Ask questions,” says Dr Kimbu. “Have a discussion with those organising your trip.” Bencheikh agrees. “Do your research. Before you visit, ask questions about how the project is run and where the money goes from your visit.” Travelling with a trusted tour operator is also sensible, as is looking out for any certification programmes such as B Corp. Covid-19, of course, has had a dreadful impact on CBT. Planeterra recently launched the Global Community Tourism Network, providing online training, promotion and marketing, to help organisations prepare for when tourists come back. “Many communities don’t have internet or phone access,” explains Sweeting. “So, we also have 16 strategic partnerships, mostly local non-profits with their own network. Our reach is now more than 800 community tourism enterprises in 75 countries.” On the flipside, Covid-19 has also changed how we want to travel. “There’s been a definite shift, with more travellers wanting to find purpose in their trips,” says Sweeting. “We need to take advantage of that. When you’re able to experience something owned and run by a community, it’s much more rewarding, and a more equitable experience for the host and the guest.” As Dr Kimbu puts it, “CBT has a sense of fairness and justice.” It’s that sense of fairness and justice that’s been behind the success of Spirit Bear Lodge for more than 20 years and one that the community hopes will last for generations. “I do hope that my children and future children continue with Spirit Bear Lodge,” Robinson tells me. “Seeing the growth in this company has been amazing. It’s a great way to learn and grow and thrive in our homelands.” You can’t say fairer than that.  

Published in the   May 2022   issue of   National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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Tourism Essay: Topics, Writing Tips, & Essay Samples [2024]

Do you like traveling?

Adventures, meeting new people, and trying local foods are always exciting.

Tourism can be different, involving various purposes and characteristics. Besides just relaxing, you can travel on business, to improve your health or help the locals. Tourism has also changed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, we will discuss the types of traveling and think of how to write about them. You will find writing prompts for an essay on tourism, writing samples, and over 100 topics.

Let’s begin our journey!

📋 Tourism Essay Prompts

  • 🛫 137 Tourism Topics
  • ✍️ Tourism Essay Samples

Traveling might involve enjoying new sights, seeking career and educational opportunities, or pursuing other goals. There are countless reasons for people to travel.

Here are different types of tourism and their main features.

Essay on Tourism during Pandemic

Lockdowns and restrictions made it hard for many companies to provide their services successfully. The sphere of tourism experienced one of the biggest hits. In 2020, the number of tourists worldwide went down by 84%. You can discuss the changes and their effects in your paper. 

As a result, representatives of the field had to invent new rules. Rules should’ve protected the industry from the crash and made traveling safe. Some include obligatory vaccination or taking a COVID-test, limiting the number of people in a plane, and the requirement to wear face masks. You can discuss these precautions in your essay on tourism.

The number of tourist arrivals.

Niche Tourism Essay

Niche tourism is a definition of specific types of tourism that meet particular needs.

We will describe some examples of niche tourism below.

  • Leisure Tourism The primary goal of such travel is to rest and have fun. It might be your vacation or just a small break from daily life. Most of the things you do during leisure tourism is for pleasure.
  • Business Tourism It means you still work with or without getting paid for your trip. Traveling to meetings, conferences, or international events connected with your work are all examples of business tourism.
  • Wellness Tourism It is all about maintaining or enhancing your physical, mental, and social wellbeing. You can do it with sports, alternative medicine, healthy nutrition, meditation, and other activities.
  • Medical Tourism Mostly, the primary purpose of this travel is to get medical or dental procedures at a lower price. Also, some tourists might look for alternative medicine that is not legal in the United States.
  • Cultural Tourism Cultural tourism is about immersing in the culture of the place you visit. This might include local cuisine, traditions, features of a society, spiritual and historical heritage, arts, modern lifestyle, etc.
  • Ecotourism Ecotourism is sustainable traveling that includes taking care, observing, and preserving nature or local communities. It should minimize all the negative impacts on the environment and contain educational or interpretation features.

The picture provides six examples of niche tourism.

Tourism Seasonality Essay

Seasonal tourism means that some destinations are more attractive to tourists due to weather conditions or other factors during a particular season.

For example, most Mediterranean countries become popular destinations when the temperature is high enough to swim in the sea. Some places do not depend on the weather, but there are still more tourists during the summer and winter holidays.

Here are the matters you can discuss in your paper:

  • Employment of the locals.
  • Environmental impact of tourism.
  • Businesses and countries’ economies.
  • Peak seasons and their frequency.

Digital Nomadism Essay

Digital nomads are people who travel to various places and continue working remotely.

They choose extended stays instead of short trips and are not attached to any specific place. As more and more people select remote jobs during the pandemic, we will see more and more digital nomads over the years.

Space Tourism Essay

Space traveling is only an evolving industry with possible growth in the next decade. Blue Origin , owned by Amazon, and Virgin Galactic have already launched multiple private suborbital flights.

Describe the economic, scientific, and other benefits of space travel. Discuss the prospects, opportunities, and risks of the industry.

🛫 137 Tourism Essay Topics

Take a look at our selection of topics on all types of travel:

  • What is the place of your dream? Explain your motivation.
  • Contemporary tourism business growth in the UAE.
  • Describe your best traveling experience.
  • Forecasting Taiwan’s medical tourism.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone.
  • The intercontinental hotels group: hospitality management.
  • What dangers might you face due to cultural differences as a tourist?
  • How would your life be different without traveling?
  • Hotel industry performance & environmental consciousness.
  • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of traveling with family.
  • What popular destinations are overrated? Explain your position and include your experience.
  • Radisson Blu hotel quality management.
  • What should people do to become a part of sustainable tourism?
  • Is there any difference between a traveler and a tourist?
  • Paris major tourist attractions: artwork, architecture, sceneries.
  • What are the ways for the traveling industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • Obscuro business in the tourism market.
  • What do you need to know if you travel to Africa for the first time?
  • Customer service department management on the example of Etihad Airways.
  • How to spend less money without losing your comfort while traveling?
  • WeChat e-marketing tool prospects in the tourism industry.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling in a van?
  • How to plan your time wisely on a short trip?
  • International hospitality development: how do hotels and restaurants use marketing principles?
  • What are the pros and cons of tourism for the environment?
  • The prospect and constraint of ecotourism in Malaysia.
  • Why is tourism important for the world economy?
  • Branding Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination.
  • What European countries depend on tourism the most?
  • Airline industry and customer satisfaction: how to deliver quality service?
  • Would you rather spend on clothes or on traveling?
  • What are the most critical factors that define a good traveling experience?
  • Restaurant review on a business trip.
  • The most well-known destinations for medical tourists from the United States.
  • The international tourism hotel for elderly service: Internal marketing practices.
  • Why do you travel? Describe your goals and motivation.
  • What are the things you need to consider when choosing a traveling destination?
  • Studying abroad: how to maintain a good environment between domestic and international students?
  • How can you use your traveling experiences in daily life?
  • Total logistics costs and strategic planning in tourism.
  • What is the essential life lesson traveling has taught you?
  • Descriptive analysis of Pacific Palms Hotel, Los Angeles.
  • What kind of traveling suits you the best and why?
  • The role of gastronomy in tourism development.
  • How to survive jet lag and recover after a long flight?
  • As an ecotourist, what place would you choose to visit?
  • Comparative analysis of two vacation destinations: Dubai and Cape Town.
  • How did digitalization change our traveling experiences?
  • What are the possible outcomes of time traveling?
  • Effects of ecotourism on Eskimos in Canada.
  • Is space-traveling a safe experience for ordinary people?
  • The impact of social media on the tourism industry.
  • What role does traveling play in your life?
  • What are three things essential for all tourists?
  • Emirates Airlines: operations and high quality of one of the most luxurious airlines.
  • Describe the worst experience you had while traveling.
  • Empowering leadership practices and job satisfaction in tourism.
  • If time travel was possible, what epoch would you choose to visit?
  • Tourists’ trends in the Albaha region in Saudi Arabia.
  • What is your favorite transport for traveling and why?
  • Comparison of all-inclusive hotels in Turkey and Greece.
  • Internal marketing practices of the international tourism hotel for elderly service.
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of seasonal tourism?
  • Human resource management in the Saudi tourism sector.
  • If a tourist wants to see your town, what would you recommend them to do?
  • Sustainability and responsible tourism in Dubai.
  • The positive and negative effects of traveling on the human mind.
  • Abu Dhabi’s brand as a tourists’ destination.
  • How are traveling experiences different for adults and children?
  • Tell about the traveling experience you will never forget.
  • Strategies employed by Fairmont Mayakoba Riviera Maya Resort management.
  • What do you need to know to make traveling easier?
  • Medical tourism in Tunisia and Morocco.
  • How does knowing foreign languages help while traveling?
  • The positive and negative effects of tourism for a country.
  • How do airlines satisfy customers? Emirates Airlines case study.
  • What is the riskiest thing you have done while traveling?
  • Terrorism effects on tourism in the United Kingdom.
  • How has world tourism changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
  • What do you feel when you get home after traveling?
  • The influence of globalization on tourism in France.
  • Describe the longest journey that you made while traveling.
  • Concepts of tourism in the UAE.
  • How to make your traveling less harmful to nature?
  • Why do people tend to spend more money while traveling?
  • Human resource management as a core success factor in airlines industry.
  • What are the famous tourist destinations that you would not like to visit?
  • The Hong Kong tourism industry.
  • Describe your first traveling experience in a foreign country.
  • Location planning for tourist attractions.
  • The evolution of tourism as an industry.
  • Innovations in the tourism sector: hospitality management.
  • How does seasonal tourism affect the economy of a country?
  • How does hospitality differ in different cultures?
  • Intercultural communication and staff in tourism.
  • Are low-cost airlines harmful to the environment?
  • H1N1 in the elderly and its impact on the tourism industry.
  • The reasons why traveling is always a good topic for discussion.
  • What are the easiest ways to save money while traveling?
  • The UAE hotel industry: quality management strategies.
  • Is traveling a luxury or a natural need of a human?
  • What are the main dangers of traveling for a developing country?
  • Taiwan: Tourism industry for the elderly.
  • What is the most exciting thing about traveling to you?
  • The typical types of tourists in the United States.
  • Environmental management in the hospitality industry.
  • Lifehacks for students: the things to need to know to travel smartly.
  • The reasons why you should study a country’s culture before you visit it.
  • Effects of tourism industry innovation on elderly care.
  • How to become a digital nomad and combine tourism and work?
  • The most exciting professions in the tourism industry.
  • American Airlines’ environment and strategies.
  • Top of the most useful mobile applications for tourists.
  • Indian and Hungarian medical tourism.
  • Do geography lessons help you in real life when you travel?
  • Innovations and changes in the hospitality industry.
  • What is the best traveling destination to heal your soul?
  • Emirates Airlines customer need analysis.
  • How do you see the future of the space tourism industry?
  • Would you like to work in tourism? Why or why not?
  • The sex tourism industry in Thailand.
  • How to know that you need to visit a new place?
  • Have you ever wanted to move to a place you’ve visited before?
  • The Ritz-Carlton Hotel quality management system.
  • Discuss the ecological effects of seasonality on seaside areas.
  • Influenza in the elderly and tourism demand in Asia.
  • What is the next place you want to see and why?
  • Would you like to try space traveling?
  • Medical tourism in Jordan and international competition.
  • What are the prevalent stereotypes about American tourists?
  • The potential for community-based ecotourism development.
  • Where would you like to go on your honeymoon?
  • If you had unlimited money and time, where would you go?
  • Causes and effects of employee turnover in hospitality industry.
  • Why do people want to travel to new places?
  • What precautions ensure your safety while traveling alone?
  • Health services and medical tourism in Taiwan .

✍️ Essay on Tourism – 2 Samples

And here are a couple of essay samples to get a general idea of the essay about tourism.

Tourism in Pakistan Essay

The British Backpacker Society marked Pakistan as the best adventure destination of 2018 . It might not be a prominent place for a vacation, but it is definitely worth attention. Pakistan is an attractive traveling destination for cultural tourism and nature lovers. While Pakistan’s potential in tourism is just developing, it is an excellent opportunity to visit a beautiful and not overcrowded place. Pakistan’s mountain ranges are rich with spectacular views, flora, and fauna. Various activities are available for tourists that will let you interact with nature. Everyone can find something to do depending on their preferences. You can choose from extreme sports such as mountain climbing and white water rafting or quiet time spending such as fishing and birdwatching. Located in South Asia, Pakistan is home to Indus Valley Civilization various dynasties. This country was part of several empires that made its cultural legacy unique. Pakistan is also a country where several UNESCO world heritage sites are located. Some of them are Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta, Rohtas Fort and Taxila, Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro, and Buddhist Ruins of Takht-i-Bahi. Avoiding big crowds and long queues is one of the advantages of traveling to Pakistan. Enjoying virgin nature and seeing sights without any distractions is something that many tourists look for. This country is not on everyone’s bucket list. That is why your experience of visiting Pakistan becomes unique and sacred. Being among the firsts to discover something worthy is always a pleasure. Pakistan is a perfect traveling destination for those who like to explore nature and enrich their cultural knowledge. If you are a fan of unusual places and beautiful scenery, Pakistan will win your heart.
Space tourism might have sounded like a fantasy a couple of decades ago. While it is still not a cheap adventure, progress makes it more and more accessible to people. Space tourism has massive potential as a business and stimulus to scientific progress and new career opportunities. Virgin Galactic, Space X, Blue Origin, Orion Spain, and Boeing already offer commercial travel to space for recreational purposes. Each of them hopes to launch suborbital flights regularly, making it a profitable business. Virgin Galactic experienced growth in demand by 15% for suborbital flights in autumn 2021, selling a seat for $450,000. As we can see, space tourism is a promising and highly lucrative sphere. With such wealthy and innovative companies leading the market, there is no doubt that scientists will have more opportunities to conduct experiments in space . The central aspect of any space travel is power generation, making it so expensive. Space tourism might become more affordable with advancements and research on this issue. The development of space tourism also means that there will be new jobs and careers. Some of them might be completely new. Others might be like regular jobs but with adjustments and special training. For example, doctors, nurses, fitness trainers, or excursionists. These and many other professions will require special or additional education to function in space tourism successfully. Space tourism is a dream that has become a reality in the 21 st century. As for now, not so many people can afford it, but there will be more opportunities available with the development of the sphere. Rising demand stimulates the growth of companies offering space tours as well as the science and job market expansion.

Essays on tourism may seem too easy to write. However, until you have identified your topic, you cannot know how complicated is this task.

Use our free essay topic generator for more tourism essay ideas. Our expert team is also ready to help you with any kind of assignment 24/7 – feel free to contact us .

Now we wish you lots of inspiration and adventurous trips!

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How to Promote Tourism

Last Updated: April 3, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones . Anyah Gilmore-Jones is a Social Media Marketing Expert based in Nashville, Tennessee. An innovative experiential and social media marketer, Anyah is skilled at creating engaging brand experiences and leverages her passion for connecting people and ideas to drive organic growth for purpose-driven brands. As the founder of GROW by Gilmore, a social media strategy company, Anyah develops data-driven social media strategies focused on authentic community building. She has over 4 years of experience spearheading viral campaigns and producing content for brands like HBCU Buzz, Black & Scholared, SHEIN, and Project Art Collective. She received her BA from Howard University in Political Science and Government. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 11 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 206,133 times.

Looking to attract some new visitors to your town or city? In our current digital age, getting tourists to pay attention to a specific place is more possible than ever. Developing a marketing plan and using tools social media and other promotional materials, can all help to promote tourism in your town or city.

Creating a Marketing Plan

Step 1 Consider what makes your town or city unique.

  • Focus on activities or attractions that are specific to your town. Even a small or strange attraction could attract visitors and bring attention to the town, from the world’s largest paper clip to a man made wave in a river. Ask yourself: What makes the town worth a special trip? What do you have that a tourist can’t get or do somewhere else?
  • Work with a tourism planning committee and narrow your focus on the top three things your town has to offer. The more specific, rather than generic, you can be, the more likely your town will be of interest to tourists.

Step 2 Conduct a survey of the members of the community.

  • What do you think attracts a visitor to the community?
  • What type of visitor do you see coming to our community?
  • How can we do to improve the visitor’s experience?

Step 3 Do a survey of visitors to the town.

  • Where does the visitor live?
  • What attracted the visitor to the community?
  • How did the visitor find out about the tourist attractions?
  • What type of businesses or facilities did the visitor use?
  • What kinds of accommodations or services are needed?
  • A third party endorsement from previous visitors to the town or current visitors is a good way to determine how to better serve future tourists.

Step 4 Create a marketing plan.

  • Geographic market areas, with a section for day trips, overnight trips, and extended visits.
  • Outdoor recreation activities, if any, such as camping, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
  • Entertainment, such as historic sites, fairs or festivals, shopping, and dining.
  • Other travel purposes, such as business trips and family visits.

Step 5 Create a unique slogan.

  • Think about successful slogans, like Las Vegas’ “What happens here, stays here”, New York’s “The City That Never Sleeps” or Calgary, Alberta’s “Heart of the New West”. They work because they are unique and avoid generic terms or phrases.

Step 6 Make an action plan.

  • The overall recommendation from the tourism planning committee, including the proposed slogan and branding.
  • The budget of the marketing plan, including the costs of all promotional materials.
  • The source of the funds to put the marketing plan into action.
  • The responsible parties of putting the marketing plan into action.
  • A timeline for the completion and launch of the marketing plan.

Using Promotional Materials and Local Media

Step 1 Create promotional materials.

  • Sell these promotional materials at local gift shops located close to popular attractions.

Step 2 Organize public radio spots and television ads.

  • The map can include a brief description of key attractions and sites, as well as activities tourists can do at these locations.

Step 4 Do a promotional draw or contest.

Using Social Media and Other Online Tools

Step 1 Make a website and keep a blog.

  • A good way to get more traffic to the website is to create a blog section on the site and make sure it is updated regularly. Conduct interviews with locals and post the interviews on the blog, or do a post on the best activities to do in the town based on the season.

Step 2 Create a Facebook page and post something every day.

  • You can also create a hashtag that uses the slogan for the town and use it often at the end of every tweet or Instagram post. This will help you track if the town is trending among users and improve your posts to get more attention on these platforms.

Step 4 Start a Youtube channel.

Expert Q&A

Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

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  • ↑ http://smallbizsurvival.com/2013/03/how-to-market-a-community.html
  • ↑ http://www.tourism-review.com/social-media-marketing-in-tourism-industry-page659

About This Article

Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

To promote tourism in your town or city, start by making a list of the things that make your area unique, such as lots of outdoor activities or a unique attraction. Then, create a slogan that reflects what makes your town special, avoiding common, generic phrases like, “best kept secret.” Additionally, try making a Facebook page for your town and posting pictures or event information every day to make sure people notice the page. You can also open Twitter and Instagram accounts and come up with a hashtag based on your city’s slogan. For tips on how to create a tourist map of your area to give to visitors, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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