CVB, DMO, Tourism & Destination Marketing - Online Marketing and SEO for Travel and Tourism Sites » Tour Companies

What You Can Learn From BP’s Mistakes

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:01:57 +0000

Of all the lessons learned from the BP debacle, the most important was the first one BP learned. The internet is a powerful PR tool that can crush you quickly. Bad news gushed across the internet like…well, like a broken pipe. In the days, and now weeks, following the initial report, BP continued to make one bumbling decision after the next. It didn’t take long for every move that that BP made (many of them sluggish and poorly executed) to be scrutinized and commented upon by everyone who had an internet connection. BP quickly learned that they weren’t just managing an environmental disaster, they were managing a PR disaster – one they still haven’t grasped.

It’ll be years before the victims of this disaster recover, if at all. But, as we can’t unring that bell (or in this case, put the oil back in the pipe), we have to focus on what we can do to facilitate recovery for the lovely coastal towns whose beaches and reputations were stained by this disaster.

If you’ve got marketing dollars, now is the time to spend them.

Your tourism, visitor’s bureau, local or regional website needs to be addressing all the wonderful features of your town and reminding vacationers that you’re still open for business. If you’ve got local photographers, invite them to submit new photos and then get those photos out through Flickr, Facebook and Twitter.

Build a social media campaign, like this one run by the Jamestown Foundation that encourages past visitors to talk about their vacations and events. If you’ve got a YouTube channel, so much the better. Link to vacation videos that show your sparkling beaches, your lovely shops, your friendly locals and fantastic restaurants. Need some inspiration? Check out Currituck County, North Carolina. Now is an excellent time to invest in a pay-per-click campaign that helps users reconnect with your town or find you for the first time.

Family vacations, reunions, honeymoons and holidays are all still happening. Make sure these people know that good things are still happening at your place, too.

Melissa Baumann is a Search Marketing and Tourism Specialist as well as a seasoned world traveler.

American Rover Cruises – Site Design

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:29:20 +0000

Just off the Elizabeth River near the Waterside in Norfolk, VA sits the proud American Rover, and authentic tallship with tan bark sails that cruises the waters of Hampton Roads during the high season. There’s no better way to see the finer points of town and learn Tidewater history than through a chartered cruise on the American Rover. It’s the perfect treat for a group tour or family reunion.

American Rover Cruises

Simple Tourism provides for the American Rover site a user-friendly content management system and modular design, so specials and seasonal schedule changes can be made with ease. Simple Tourism can work within your budget, too, to give you attractive design that looks like you spent thousands! Contact us today to learn more.

Victory Rover Cruises – Site Design

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:19:27 +0000

When in Norfolk, military enthusiasts will definitely want to take the Victory Rover Naval base cruise. Departing daily from Nauticus off the Elizabeth River, the Victory Rover takes awed passengers to see the most powerful warships and cruisers in the world. You’ll learn the maritime history of this Mid-Atlantic region while sitting comfortably in a climate-controlled cruise ship. Snacks are available, and you get a better view of the ships and submarines on the upper deck.

Victory Rover Naval Base Cruises

Simple Tourism provides for the Victory Rover site a user-friendly content management system and modular design, so specials and seasonal schedule changes can be made with ease. Simple Tourism can work within your budget, too, to give you attractive design that looks like you spent thousands! Contact us today to learn more.

Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. – Site Design and Database Management

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:09:35 +0000

Get a professional on your side! Whether you need help with military reunion planning or meeting planning for a military association or government conference, Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. (AFRI) is a recognized leader in the hospitality industry. Join forces with AFRI and secure an ally in site selection, hotel contract negotiation, and event management. Allow the negotiating power of an industry expert to obtain better rates and more favorable contracts for your group. Sit back and relax while AFRI smoothly guides you to a perfect reunion or event, and everyone can enjoy time spent with friends and associates.

Armed Forces Reunions, Inc.

When AFRI needed a re-design of their Web site, they contacted Simple Tourism at CINIVA Systems. We not only provided a clean, themed design with a nice Flash banner, but have also worked with AFRI to customize forms and database programming so they can collect data for reunions more efficiently. If you are in need of a simple reservation engine or means to collect money online for trip and events, Simple Tourism can help turn your Web site into a money-maker. Contact us today to learn more.

Phillips DMC – Site Design

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:02:46 +0000

Phillips Tours offers a full range of destination management services, including customized sightseeing, receptive services, cruise ship ground handling, and arrangements of all types for meetings, conferences, and conventions.

Phillips Tours - Norfolk, VA

Headquartered in the center of downtown Norfolk, Virginia, Phillips Tours provides customized group tour itineraries throughout the region, including nearby Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Simple Tourism provides for Phillips Tours affordable site design, hosting and e-mail management.

Simple Tourism can work within your budget to give you attractive design that looks like you spent thousands! Contact us today to learn more.