Posts by Staff
Artificial Intelligence In Tourism
Although it may be easy to get caught up in the story of all-powerful AI, the reality is much less close to a “war with the machines.” The main value of artificial intelligence at this time is in its use as a massive database, capable of synthesizing enormous amounts of information into digestible responses. Bots…
Read MoreChanging Travel Trends in 2023
With constant changes in the world around us and everything moving at seemingly hyper-fast speeds, travelers are increasingly turning to their vacations as a way to take things slow. In our internet age it is easy to become overwhelmed— coupled with a post-pandemic desire to explore the world, traveler behavior has concocted a new recipe…
Read MoreLuxury Travel Trends
The luxury market has been shifting since 2016 from a desire for luxury goods to more demand for luxury experiences. There is a “pursuit for experience over possession.” Affluent consumers are seeking higher spiritual and emotional fulfillment, leading them to travel. Not only do luxury travelers want a high-end experience, they are also focused on…
Read More10 Digital Marketing Trends from Destination Marketers
This September, we attended the eTourism Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada. We brought the award-winning, 5-star Destination on the Left podcast to the convention and conducted mini-interviews with 14 tourism leaders. Those interviews created a 3-part series for the show with each guest sharing the biggest change in their digital strategy that resulted in big…
Read MoreCustomer Journey: Shifting from Dreaming to Planning
COVID-19 has extended the first phase of the traveler’s journey, or the dreaming phase, significantly. Travelers have been stuck in this inspiration phase for months because it has not been safe to travel. Now almost a year later, people are starting to feel more comfortable with the idea of bringing their travel dreams into reality and we are starting to see a shift from dreaming to planning.
Read MoreCapacity Building in Communities for Destination Development
Capacity building is the process of developing strength and sustainability. The process helps organizations and communities achieve longevity and focus more on fulfilling their mission and less on survival. There are several different components to capacity building including: Giving people the tools they need to feel engaged and empowered Educating people on different processes Giving…
Read MoreDestination Marketing: Welcoming Visitors Again
Throughout the summer months, states across the US have been loosening restrictions as they reached “phase 4” where most establishments could re-open. After about five months of cabin fever, people are not only eager to leave their houses, but are open to traveling. At this point in time, studies show that most people are comfortable…
Read MoreCultural Institutions: Reopening with Resilience & Serving Visitors
With many states easing up on restrictions and moving into the next phase, reopening is likely the main topic of conversation – or debate – right now for cultural institutions. Whether the decision for the time being is to open or remain closed, be virtual or on-site, it is extremely important to be engaging with…
Read MoreAdapting to Remote Work: Virtual Experiences, Online Learning and Resources
It is hard to believe that one month ago people everywhere were going into work, sitting in class, spending their weekends at bars and restaurants, and traveling around the world. Now, we’ve settled into a new normal of remote work, online classes, and virtual events like Zoom happy hours and other online experiences. Working from…
Read MoreThe Rise of Heritage Travel: A new way for tourists to find themselves
People often say they are traveling to “find themselves.” With the increasing popularity of at-home DNA kits, people are starting to take this literally. Luxury Travel predicted that ancestry-based travel, or heritage travel, would be “one of 2020’s fastest growing sectors.” Travelers are choosing to visit the places their ancestors lived in order to learn…
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