Posted by AudioConexus on Tuesday, November 30, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
Testimonials are an important part of your marketing strategy - online and off. Commonly overlooked as part of an online sales strategy, testimonials are great for eliminating any fears your prospects may have. There's no doubt that consumers are growing more skeptical about the products and services they buy - especially online. Eliminating fear and establishing credibility is what testimonials do best.
How many of your competitors are using testimonials as a part of their online purchase pro...
Posted by AudioConexus on Friday, November 26, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
The audio drama phenomenon which began in 1920's America continues today in countries such as Germany and Japan, with millions of audio dramas sold annually on cassettes, CDs and DVDs. The continued success of the audio drama is directly linked to a writer's ability to create personal and creative interactions with the listener. Great audio drama, just like a great book, creates a unique and personal experience in our mind's eye, allowing each of us to visualize characters, settings, places,...
Posted by AudioConexus on Thursday, November 25, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
We've been working with organizations who understand the value of cross-promoting their tour products within their audio tour commentaries - in English and in foreign languages. One of the opportunities for creating new revenue streams is through the discreet placement of short infotainment advertorials. This is accomplished by evaluating who in your network of tourism partners would benefit from a location specific mention of their business.
We do not recommend the placement of blatant advert...
Posted by AudioConexus on Wednesday, November 24, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
According to PhoCusWright's Emerging Online Travel Marketplace in China, online travel channels are set for high growth. PhoCusWright states that "With increasing wealth, the largest population and the most broadband users in the world, China's travel industry is clearly packed with potential. Yet even though China is the second largest travel market in the Asia Pacific region, very little China-specific travel research and market analysis currently exists."
Posted by AudioConexus on Tuesday, November 23, 2010,
In :
Storytelling
For the same reason some film makers invest millions of dollars to tell their version of a story to captivate audiences in cinemas around the globe, sightseeing companies need to attract audiences of tourists and travelers. Stories provide powerful links to shared experiences, how we look at life, how we fit in and fit together. This is because great stories are based on truth, are compelling, appealing --- and memorable.
Stories are how we get to know the world and our experience in it. It’...
Posted by AudioConexus on Friday, November 19, 2010,
In :
Tourism Statistics
The U.S. Department of Commerce today announced that for the first eight months of 2010, 40.2 million international visitors traveled to the United States, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2009. In August 2010, 6.4 million international visitors traveled to the United States, an increase of 11 percent over August 2009. August 2010 registered the eleventh straight month of increases in U.S. arrivals.
International visitors spent $88.2 billion during the first eight months of 201... Continue reading ...
Posted by AudioConexus on Thursday, November 18, 2010,
In :
Storytelling
In the Rubin Museum of Art's Blog Post, Learning Through Listening: Audio in the Galleries, Eleanor Whitney describes museums and galleries as places of premeditated and spontaneous sounds animating spaces as living dynamic entities.
This is a social experience of sharing, learning, questioning and reflection. As a passionate Producer, Eleanor describes the audio tour as an opportunity to lose herself in the art (and the art of the story) as she absorbs her environment through looking, listen...
Posted by AudioConexus on Wednesday, November 17, 2010,
In :
Industry News
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) released its 2011 Global Marketing and Sales Plan today.
The plan is focused on high-yield travellers, a continued investment in the consistent application of Canada’s Tourism Brand, and "cultivating fast and flexible marketing programs".
"The plan outlines in detail CTC’s change in both investment in the US market and our operational footprint to free up investment dollars. The new business structure targets markets on established (Australia, France,... Continue reading ...
Posted by AudioConexus on Tuesday, November 16, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
We are in the midst of change. We're now in a new model of leadership. Tribes are what matter now. It's about leading and connecting people and ideas. Listen to Seth Godin on tribes we lead (from Ted Talks).
Posted by AudioConexus on Monday, November 15, 2010,
In :
Industry News
Canada has become the world's most respected tourism brand, bumping the United States from its top spot by leveraging the 2010 Winter Games, to extend the global reach of its tourism brand. Canada held the second position in 2008 and 2009, and reached the top spot rank this year with its revitalised tourism brand - Canada. Keep exploring.
President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), Michele McKenzie, accepted the top ranking award at World Travel Market in London last week. The...
Posted by AudioConexus on Thursday, November 11, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
Travel Counsellors managing director Steven Byrne said: “There are massive opportunities for SMEs generally. If they are privately owned they can probably think quicker, act quicker and be more entrepreneurial than larger corporate enterprises.
“SMEs have a great opportunity at the moment. The old fashioned models are not working. The UK travel industry is becoming almost paranoid about consumers who want price but actually consumers want value and that’s about the level of service you p...
Posted by AudioConexus on Wednesday, November 10, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
Many tourism operators we've met at World Travel Market this week are very optimistic about 2011 with good to great increases in growth over the last 12 months. One tour operator stated that they experienced 40% growth this year after a 12% decline in 2009. This is good news all around.
Furthermore, business travel is on the rise led by a resurgence in air travel and car rentals. With 2009 being a year of recovery for many tourism operators - the industry is now showing signs of positive grow...
Posted by AudioConexus on Tuesday, November 9, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
Status Quo - "meaning the current or existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are." [Wikipedia]
The status quo is unsustainable. More and more sightseeing companies are coming to grips with the fact that if they continue with the status quo they will not be able to sustain growth, market share and profitability. Even worse, for some companies, the status quo means they won't be with us next year (or the year after).
Posted by AudioConexus on Monday, November 8, 2010,
In :
Tourism Statistics
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that total U.S. travel and tourism employment increased by 2.2 percent during the second quarter, marking the first increase in tourism-related employment since the first quarter of 2008.
Tourism Spending. Real spending (adjusted for changes in price) on travel and tourism increased at an annual rate of 3.0 percent in Q2 2010, following an increase of 5.0 percent (revised) in Q1 2010. By comparison, real gross domestic product increased 1.7 p...
Posted by AudioConexus on Friday, November 5, 2010,
In :
Industry News
Kensington Master Builders, an award winning Edmonton custom home builder announced today that it will showcase its latest industry leading green show home with audio tours in English and Hindi and plans to add French and Mandarin translations soon.
As Canada’s first luxury home builder to provide audio guides for show home tours, Kensington Master Builders is showcasing its craftsmanship and eco-friendly, energy-efficient technology with audio tours that highlight its innovative BuiltGreenâ...
Posted by AudioConexus on Thursday, November 4, 2010,
In :
Tourism Marketing
We conducted an online poll asking respondents "What do you want to experience when taking a sightseeing tour?" The poll showed that people want to be entertained on sightseeing tours. While this may not be news - it does reinforce that people are seeking fun and entertaining experiences on buses, boats, trolleys and tour trains.
71% of respondents selected entertainment as their primary purpose for taking a tour, followed by 29% of respondents wanting to learn something new - with education b...
Posted by AudioConexus on Wednesday, November 3, 2010,
In :
Tourism Statistics
The U.S. Department of Commerce recently announced that international visitors spent an estimated $11.6 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of August—$1.6 billion more (16%) than was spent in August 2009—marking the eighth consecutive month of growth in U.S. travel and tourism exports. Total international visitor spending in the United States has increased, on average, $1.0 billion a month in 2010.
2010 bookings from Canada to the United States registered double-digit growth, on average, for the second quarter in a row, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce sponsored Canada Travel Trade Barometer. Canada tour operators reported (as of July 26 – September 6, 2010) that on average, bookings increased 10 to 15 percent in the second quarter 2010.
Summer bookings were projected to be higher by just ove...
Helping you learn more about tourism trends, storytelling and audio tours. Help, tips, advice, and techniques for better storytelling and tourism marketing.
Our Higher Purpose is to captivate the imagination by creating exceptional entertainment experiences about our world - shared experiences that inspire the human spirit and unite us in discovery.
