Tourism INTERNET Marketing Blog 1.0

Nova Scotia Tourism (the tourism department of the government of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia) is the first, at least to my knowledge, Tourism Marketing Organization that has leveraged the power of Google Earth to help travelers explore the destination and plan their trip.  It’s the closest you’ll ever come to taking your vacation for a test drive. With the power of Google Earth you can explore the entire province from home. Fly from place to place, zooming in tight or pulling back for a wider view. And don't forget to look for your 'Don't Miss' Nova Scotia attractions, activities, and events. With satellite imagery, it's almost like being here in person. From your aerial view, you’ll notice tartan placemarks throughout the province. To learn more, click on the placemark, and you’ll get interesting facts and photos that give you a taste of the experience. Then, buckle up and “fly” to other locations, zooming in and out as you go. It’s a fun, easy and pretty cool way to plan your Nova Scotia vacation, and a very innovative way to engage consumers with the destinations, and connect them with the toursim suppliers.  Heads up to Tanya MacLeod and her team at Nova Scotia Tourism! Check it out.

Nova Scotia on Google Earth

The Cape Breton Celtic Music Centre' information...

...with a link directly to NovaScotia.com, where you can
experience the video.

A little while ago, I came across this great article by Pamela Slim, and I thought I would share it with you on my blog. In the end, you can have the best product, the greatest brand, the most innovative ideas, and the smartest strategy - but if you haven't been able to create a culture of empowernment and execution, it won't happen. In her what she calls "Open letter to CEOs", she explains the importance of providing objective, developmental feedback to employees that is based on observable behavior, not personal generalizations, and to be open with the business strategy so that employees could contribute ideas to grow your company.

Her main points are:
1. Don't spend millions of dollars to try and change your culture
2. Stop running your company like the mafia
3. Spend a moment walking around the halls of your company and look at your employees
4. Teach people how to get rich like you
5. Don't ask for your employees' input if you are not going to listen to it
6. Don't train people until you know what problem you are solving
7. Ditch the PowerPoint when you have town hall meetings
8. Focus on the work people do, not how or when they do it
9. Forbid people to work while they are on vacation
10. Forbid people to work while they are on vacation

Have a look at the article - having worked in different work environments, from start-ups to private and public companies in corporate offices, hotel operations, consulting, and now in a federal government situation, I must say - in all employment situations, success depends on how an organization can unleash and leverage the talent of its staff.

The E-Marketing Manager from Canadian Tour Operator Brewster pointed me to JourneyPod. According to them, JourneyPod has the scoop on the trendiest bars and restaurants, the most luxurious boutique hotels, and the most exclusive parties and shops for discriminating travelers. Listen to the Podcast on Canada to get an idea (Ryan Bifulco of JourneyPod recorded my impressions of Canada).  Have fun!

Sometimes it seems to be hard to understand from private tourism business or even from government, as well as from residents to pinpoint the true value of Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs).  DMOs have gotten under attack recently, and two examples illustrate the case - one more tongue and cheek, the other a bit more real-life.

Bill Geist posted an article on his post from the Pacific Daily News, that suggested that the Guam Visitors Bureau should be disbanded to use the funds to build a museum. Of course, you cannot just disbandon a government agency to build a museum - or can you?

In Ottawa, Canada's Capital, the DMO's tourism funding has been cut in the city's budget just recently. In an article in the Ottawa Business Journal, Jacques Burelle, President of Ottawa Tourism was quoted that their entire funding is completely eliminated from the City of Ottawa. ($500,000 is). Ottawa is now unique among major centres in this part of Canada, he said. It will now rely almost entirely on the private sector to advertise its tourist sites, at least for the time being.

Interesting to say the least.  At the last Wired Travel Asia Conference in Singapore last November, Roger Carter spoke about his opinion that tourism boards have no God-given right to exist and could be rendered obsolete by a slew of factors that are changing the the way consumers seek information on destinations and buy their travel.

It just reminds us that Destination marketers need to make sure to create value to industry and consumers (and probably also to tax payers and residents), and have to constantly measure success and prove their existance.

I am starting a new series where I am interviewing individuals that I respect, that are visionaries, and have had an impact on my career.

First is Ron Andruff, Founder and President of Tralliance (the dot travel registry).

1.  Top 3 Websites

             a. General www.studiosgo.com Some of the most cutting edge architecture and design available today from a little shop in NYC doing some exciting things. Check out the images under: Residential; Herold Residence …amazing!

             b. Travel/Tourism/Hospitaltiy
Live webcams and video from the San Diego zoo… http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/index.html Love the Pandacam!

             c. Tool/Utility Apart from www.directory.travel (launching April 26^th, 2007) and www.search.travel (sorry, but I can’t help my bias!), check out http://www.oddcast.com/home/demos/tts/frameset.php?frame1=talk  She will say anything you type (and note that punctuation also helps). When you move the mouse around, her eyes follow the pointer. When you write something in the left space and then click on "Say it," she says it!  You can also change persons doing the talking and the language they speak. Technology today!