Episode 383: Empowering Destination Marketing with Civitas Pro's Data Insights, with Tiffany Gallagher
Release Date: 06/19/2024
396. How AI Can Improve Traveler Experience, with Anna Jaffe
Destination On The Left
Anna elaborates on how the integration of AI can be transformative for businesses in the travel industry. AI is another tool in your toolbox, and each tool, whether it’s a simple hammer or a sophisticated AI algorithm, has a particular purpose. The collaboration between humans and AI enables tour operators, DMOs, and travel agents to enhance and personalize customer experiences. What You Will Learn in This Episode: What inspired Anna’s focus on human and AI collaboration to solve complex travel industry challenges How AI-driven search can enhance user experience by providing personalized...
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Episode 395:Creating Immersive Travel Experiences by Rail, with Liz Owens
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Liz Owens, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Vacations by Rail, who joins me to discuss the trends driving interest in rail experiences, such as slow travel, sustainability, and experiential travel. We also discuss the unique focus of Vacations by Rail, from escorted rail travel to independent itineraries and river cruises. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why Vacations by Rail is focusing on multi-country tours to give U.S. consumers more immersive experiences The importance of learning from other industries,...
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Episode 394: The Essential Role of Authentic Storytelling in Sustainable Tourism, with Rob Holmes
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Rob Holmes, Founder of GLP Films shares his experience and insights on sustainable tourism. We discuss how you can impact sustainability through storytelling, and Rob shares several components of storytelling and why it must focus on people at the ground level and be story-driven, not sales-driven. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why storytelling and sustainability are integral to the tourism industry What strategic approach Rob uses for authentic and engaging storytelling in destination marketing How sustainability has evolved as a term and...
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Episode 393: Elevating Travel Marketing through Out-of-Home Advertising, with Frederick Strebeck
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Freddie Strebeck, VP of Client Partnerships at EMC Outdoor, all about how travel and tourism brands can use traditional, lifestyle, and experiential out-of-home advertising to improve their marketing campaign outcomes. We also discuss Freddie’s successes, including his work with Visit Seattle and Montgomery County’s creative Date Night in Montco campaign. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Freddie and his team used a branded treat truck to deliver a taste of Seattle to feeder cities such as Sacramento, Dallas, and Minneapolis...
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Episode 392:How to Offer an Exceptional Experience on Every Trip, with Rob DelliBovi
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Rob DelliBovi, Owner and CEO at RDB Hospitality Group. He shares his insights on why micromanagement is underrated when it comes to delivering exceptional service because consistency is key. We discuss the strategies Rob’s company uses to provide added value for travelers and suppliers, and Rob shares an amazing example of collaboration in the travel agent world he’s experienced recently. What You Will Learn in This Episode: What strategies Rob’s company, RDB Hospitality, uses to provide added value for travel consumers and...
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Episode 391: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change, with Sandy Borowsky
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Sandy Borowsky, Owner of Starr Bus Charter and Tours, about her journey in the tour industry as a third-generation owner and woman-owned business. She shares why technology is so important to running an efficient and profitable business and how working with competitors has led to business growth for everyone. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Sandy utilizes technology for efficiency and communication in her family-owned tour business How Sandy navigated through the company’s down-trending group department and found fresh...
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Episode 390: Making Travel an Inclusive Experience for Everyone, with Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad, accessible destination marketer and board member of NYC Tourism + Conventions, who explains why it’s so important to create inclusive experiences for everyone with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. Lakshmee shares specific actions that any destination or attraction can take now to make themselves more accessible and provides practical advice on becoming more welcoming to people with a wide range of abilities. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How destinations can create a great inclusive...
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Episode 389: 5 Powerful Life Lessons for Graduates, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
This summer, I’m sharing five powerful life lessons I’ve learned since graduating high school. So join me as I discuss the importance of adopting appreciation over expectation, choosing faith over fear, managing self-talk, directing focus to cultivate positive energy, practicing radical self-belief, and find out how they can shape and enhance your personal and professional life, too. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why learning to appreciate the moment rather than being disappointed that an experience is not as you expected can lead to a happier life and a more positive outlook How...
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Episode 388: Strategies for Effective Partnerships in Sales, with Nicole Boyer
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Nicole Boyer joins me to discuss why learning how to effectively build relationships leads to business growth. We talk about the importance of being authentic and paying attention to the small details to stay top of mind with potential partners. She also shares more about her Ginger Sales Ninja brand and why you don’t necessarily have to be the loudest person in the room to be great at sales. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The significance of understanding the entire tourism ecosystem so you can help tour operators more effectively How...
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Episode 387: Building a Strong Brand From the Inside Out, with Nikki Hellyer
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Nikki Hellyer, Vice President of Marketing at ToursByLocals, about the importance of building a brand from the inside out and why having a purpose and principles that everyone in the company lives by gives your team the freedom to deliver excellent service every time. You’ll also hear more from Nikki about how her company used the pandemic downtime to focus on planning their future growth. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How ToursByLocals collaborates with and supports the guides within their network, including their pandemic...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Tiffany Gallagher, Vice President of Operations at Civitas about what Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs) mean for the communities where they are established. She shares more about creative funding opportunities designed as a benefit-based vehicle for the travel industry forward. Tiffany also discusses the Civitas Pro database and why they created a one-stop shop for all data related to funding for DMOs and other organizations that operate tourism programs.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs) provide a self-funding mechanism for the tourism industry and actively support the local economy
- What impact TIDs have had on communities, with specific examples from Portland, Maine, and Boston, and how they have significantly increased destination marketing organizations’ budgets
- Why Tiffany and her team created Civitas Pro, a database for destination marketing organizations’ funding, and how tourism organizations can use it to maintain or increase funding
- Why diverse funding sources, including the formation of new districts and alternative funding models like sales tax increment financing, are essential for capital improvements and infrastructure related to tourism
- The importance of leaders overcoming fear, implementing new funding vehicles, and embracing an abundant mindset for long-term stability
The Rise of Tourism Improvement Districts
Tiffany joins me on the show to discuss the growing importance of Tourism Improvement Districts (TIDs) and why they’re proving to be such an effective funding mechanism for the tourism industry.
TIDs provide a self-funding mechanism for businesses within a jurisdiction, helping them make a collaborative effort to support the local economy. Tiffany shares more about the success stories of TID implementation in Portland, Maine, and Boston and why those examples underscore their positive impact on destination marketing organizations’ budgets, enhancing their competitiveness and resilience.
TID’s Impact on Community Development
The conversation underscored the pivotal role of TIDs in community development and the shift in the tourism industry’s focus from marketing to contributing to the local economy. The discussion emphasized the need for diverse funding sources to support capital improvements and infrastructure related to tourism, signaling a broader movement toward economic development perspectives. TID implementation in 2021 resulted in a remarkable $21,000,000 in revenue, further solidifying the positive impact on communities and their economic
development.
Introducing Civitas Pro
Civitas Pro is a game-changer in destination marketing and funding advocacy within the tourism industry. It has a comprehensive database for destination marketing organizations’ funding. This tool provides in-depth insights, competitive comparisons, and budget analysis, empowering DMOs to make informed decisions and effectively advocate for funding. I can’t wait for you to hear the full story!
Resources:
- Website: https://civitasadvisors.com/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/civitas_2/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/civitasadvisors
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