It’s time to look beyond the membership fee for new opportunities in the travel and leisure industry. It's time for tourism businesses to really engage and start promoting their destination first, their product second. Why then, should DMO’s now support the businesses who supply into their destination offer? We are all so inter-connected these days … Continue reading Isn’t it time small #tourism businesses looked beyond the DMO membership fee?
Category: Travel and Tourism
UK and International travel and tourism
25 years old today: what difference has the World Wide Web really made to #travel?
Today is the 25th anniversary of the World Wide Web, an innovation that has fundamentally changed society much as the Industrial Revolution did in the 18th century. The travel and tourism industry is one transformed - indeed is still transforming and keeping we travel and tourism professionals on our toes. No longer in control of … Continue reading 25 years old today: what difference has the World Wide Web really made to #travel?
Locals are Destinations’ Custodians
It's not just about grand vistas and easy to capture statements of beauty, it's in the detail that a landscape's story is told. Full of bold statements and a mind-boggling array of activities, I wasn't sure five night's in a resort would do the Overberg region in the Western Cape any justice. Much visited, advocated … Continue reading Locals are Destinations’ Custodians
Talking Landscapes
A landscape defines a destination. Too many destinations are churning out the same old ‘me too’ messages that fail to excite or intrigue potential visitors because so often it's the detail that is overlooked in the quest to instantly capture the bigger, more visually obvious picture. It’s only when you stop racing through the landscape and look closely, … Continue reading Talking Landscapes
English is a nightmare. Even for the natives.
But hearing a Swedish-Canadian pronounce Norfolk place names is something to savour. Norfolk is not as flat as I imaged. Not quite soaring peaks, but some respectable bumps that know not to out-do those famous big skies and far-off horizons. I had been openly mocked for going there for a long weekend; why not the … Continue reading English is a nightmare. Even for the natives.
Fewer platitudes would reassure potential visitors about the safety of your destination
Another week, another World Travel Market and each year I can’t fail to notice the footprints of some geographical areas continue to shrink, and the quality of stands gives off a tired and ‘must-we-be-here’ vibe. But there are still lots of growing footprints with big-ticket stands, some with intimidating fortress-like walls into which only the … Continue reading Fewer platitudes would reassure potential visitors about the safety of your destination
Brand Building. By Stealth
To come in under the radar, you have to harness the energy, insights and influence of your local businesses to build the brand with you. You are the enabler, not the controller. For a brand to have an identity that consumers use and trust is the holy grail. But you need to have marketing muscle … Continue reading Brand Building. By Stealth
Do Small Children Like to Wear Lavender?
“Is this place only full of old people?” is what I hear from younger family members who dig deep to drum up enthusiasm for yet more hunt-the-horses, or count-the-crests whilst we visit another National Trust (NT) property. “Don’t go anywhere, near anything, or see if you can fit into that wardrobe, just in case, god … Continue reading Do Small Children Like to Wear Lavender?
Waveney Valley Project: A tourism case study
It was clear that the project was about local identity, pride and cohesion rather than just tourism. In the heat of the summer of June 2012 the author Louis de Bernieres officially opened the Waveney Valley to a packed and excited audience of local and district councillors, tourism business owners, local food producers, historic architects and … Continue reading Waveney Valley Project: A tourism case study
What exactly is a Living Museum?
Historical re-enactment, tribes, tradition, culture, ethnic group or cultural show; does this reflect who the modern nation is today? An article in the online publication Tourism Update monthly magazine caught my attention yesterday; “Fresh Ideas for Selling Namibia” and being involved in outbound tourism to Southern Africa, clicked on the link to find out more. … Continue reading What exactly is a Living Museum?
Mary Tebje 