tourist boards

What is a tourist board? A SIMPLE explanation

A tourist board is an important type of travel and tourism organisation that makes up a key part of the structure of the travel and tourism industry . But what is a tourist board, what does this organisation do and why are tourist boards so important? Read on to learn more…

What is a tourist board?

What type of organisation is a tourist board, what does a tourist board do, national tourist boards, regional tourist boards, local tourist boards, what is a tourist board: further reading.

A tourist board is a tourist organisation that is founded with a view to promoting and creating the identity, and to enhance the reputation of tourism in a particular location. They are official organisations that encourages tourists to visit a particular city, country, or region. 

A tourist board is a not for profit organisation that is usually government owned. This means that the focus is on providing a service to the general public, as opposed to making a direct profit. However, indirectly, tourist boards do help to make money for the country because their aim is to promote the tourism industry, which in turn brings in revenue. Tourist boards are publicly funded, meaning that the money needed to operate comes from money that is raised through taxation. Tourist boards operate within the public sector.

A tourist board is generally a point of information for consumers or tourists. The primary aim is to promote tourism in a particular area. They may do this through a range of marketing initiatives including targeted campaigns and advertisements. Tourist boards may run adverts on TV and place advertisements on bus shelters or on the tube, for example. Tourist boards have also been known to partner with influencers such as bloggers and Instagram influencers who will promote the destination to their followers. Sometimes these can be sizeable campaigns.

Tourist boards will also provide information about a specific area, including transportation options, popular tourist attractions , and types of accommodation available in the area. Tourist boards also provide information about the history and the culture of a specific area.

Behind the scenes, tourist boards also do a lot of work to help manage and facilitate the tourism provision in a particular area. Some of their duties may include:

• Conducting market research
• Analysis and appraisal of tourism business in the area
• Liaising with other Governmental organisations
• Managing tourist representative and the provision of tourist information
• Cooperation with tourist boards in other destinations
• Developing the tourism provision in the area

Different levels of tourists boards

There are different levels of tourist boards that focus on different levels of tourism, I will explain each of these below.

National tourist boards oversee tourism at a national level, in other words, they are responsible for tourism throughout the country, or the nation. National tourist boards typically set the agenda for tourism and support the sector to improve what is has to offer. National tourist boards provide funding and help to promote a positive image of the country. They will also work closely with other areas of Government at a national level.

Examples of national tourist boards include Visit Britain , Amazing Thailand and Incredible India .

Regional tourist boards are organisations that are in charge of promoting and managing tourism at a regional level. Regional tourist boards will often work closely with national tourist boards. Their main role is to lead the regional tourism strategies in the area. Regional tourist boards will collaborate with local authorities, tourism businesses and other organisations to undertake a range of marketing, product investment and business support activities within the travel and tourism industry.

A local tourist board is a tourist board that focusses on a specific local area. Many local tourist boards will support local tourism groups and associations that help to bring together the private and public sector. Local tourist boards will address issues at grass roots and will demonstrate a higher level of understanding of tourism in a particular area than a national or regional tourist board will. They will work closely will the local authority and local Government.

Local tourist boards will often have responsibility for tourist information centres. These are centres that provide a range of information to tourists on attractions, accommodation, hospitality options etc within the local area. There will often be trained staff who work at the tourist information centres who are able to advise and help tourists. There may also be a small gift shop onsite.

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Here the 50 State Visitor’s Bureaus or Tourism Websites in Alphabetical Order

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• Travel Tips

How To Work With Tourism Boards

Published: December 12, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Stacee Karl

• Plan Your Trip
• Sustainability

Introduction

Welcome to the exciting world of travel marketing and partnership building! In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of working with tourism boards to elevate your travel business to new heights. Tourism boards play a pivotal role in promoting destinations, attracting visitors, and fostering sustainable tourism practices. Understanding how to effectively collaborate with these entities can significantly enhance the visibility and success of your travel enterprise.

As a travel enthusiast and industry professional, you recognize the immense value of forging strong partnerships within the tourism sector. By establishing meaningful connections with tourism boards, you gain access to a wealth of resources, insights, and promotional opportunities that can propel your brand to the forefront of the travel landscape.

Throughout this comprehensive guide, we will explore the multifaceted nature of working with tourism boards, from building relationships and collaborating on marketing campaigns to leveraging resources and measuring the impact of these strategic partnerships. By the end of this journey, you will be equipped with the knowledge and strategies to navigate the dynamic realm of tourism board collaborations with confidence and finesse.

So, buckle up and get ready to embark on a transformative exploration of how to effectively work with tourism boards to amplify the reach and influence of your travel business. Let's dive into the intricacies of this symbiotic relationship and uncover the keys to unlocking a world of possibilities in the realm of travel marketing and promotion.

Understanding the Role of Tourism Boards

Before delving into the strategies for collaboration, it’s essential to grasp the pivotal role that tourism boards play in the travel industry. Tourism boards, also known as destination marketing organizations (DMOs), serve as the primary entities responsible for promoting and enhancing the appeal of a specific destination or region. Their overarching goal is to attract visitors, drive tourism revenue, and cultivate a positive image of the locale they represent.

These organizations function as the custodians of a destination’s brand, leveraging various marketing channels and initiatives to showcase its unique attractions, cultural heritage, and recreational offerings. By harnessing the power of storytelling, captivating imagery, and targeted promotional campaigns, tourism boards strive to position their respective destinations as must-visit travel hotspots.

Moreover, tourism boards undertake vital roles in advocating for sustainable tourism practices, preserving natural landscapes, and fostering community engagement. They often collaborate with local businesses, hospitality providers, and tour operators to ensure a cohesive and compelling visitor experience while prioritizing environmental conservation and cultural authenticity.

By comprehending the multifaceted responsibilities of tourism boards, travel businesses can gain valuable insights into the dynamics of destination promotion and the underlying motivations driving these organizations. This understanding forms the bedrock for establishing mutually beneficial partnerships and aligning collaborative efforts with the overarching objectives of tourism boards.

As we venture deeper into this guide, we will uncover the strategies for engaging with tourism boards in a manner that resonates with their mission, amplifies the allure of the destination, and fosters sustainable tourism practices. With this foundational knowledge in place, you are poised to navigate the intricacies of working hand-in-hand with tourism boards to elevate your travel business to unprecedented levels of success.

Building Relationships with Tourism Boards

Establishing strong and enduring relationships with tourism boards is a cornerstone of successful collaboration in the travel industry. The process of cultivating these connections begins with proactive engagement and a genuine commitment to understanding and supporting the objectives of the tourism board. Here are essential steps to foster meaningful relationships with tourism boards:

• Research and Familiarization: Before reaching out to a tourism board, invest time in researching the destination and the board’s existing initiatives. Understand the unique selling points of the locale, its target visitor demographics, and the current marketing strategies employed by the tourism board. This knowledge will demonstrate your genuine interest in the destination and facilitate more meaningful conversations.
• Personalized Outreach: When initiating contact with the tourism board, personalize your communication to reflect a clear understanding of their mission and goals. Express your enthusiasm for collaborating and emphasize how your partnership can contribute to the board’s objectives, whether it’s promoting off-the-beaten-path experiences, supporting sustainable tourism practices, or targeting specific visitor segments.
• Value-driven Propositions: Present compelling proposals that outline the mutual benefits of collaboration. Highlight how your expertise, resources, or promotional platforms can augment the tourism board’s efforts in showcasing the destination. Whether it involves co-creating engaging content, hosting familiarization trips, or leveraging your audience to amplify the board’s messaging, emphasize the value you bring to the table.
• Consistent Engagement: Cultivate ongoing communication and engagement with the tourism board. Attend industry events, participate in destination-specific webinars, and seek opportunities to showcase your commitment to the destination’s success. This consistent engagement reinforces your dedication to the partnership and fosters trust and rapport with the board’s representatives.

By approaching the process of relationship building with authenticity, empathy, and a genuine desire to contribute to the destination’s growth, you lay the groundwork for a collaborative partnership that transcends mere transactional interactions. As we progress through this guide, we will delve into the subsequent stages of collaboration, where these foundational relationships will serve as the catalyst for impactful joint initiatives with tourism boards.

Collaborating on Marketing Campaigns

Once a solid rapport has been established with a tourism board, the stage is set for collaborative marketing campaigns that amplify the visibility and appeal of the destination. Joint marketing initiatives offer a synergistic platform for travel businesses and tourism boards to co-create compelling narratives, leverage diverse marketing channels, and reach a broader audience. Here are key considerations for effective collaboration on marketing campaigns:

• Co-created Content: Collaborate with the tourism board to develop engaging and authentic content that showcases the destination’s unique experiences, attractions, and cultural tapestry. This could involve producing destination guides, immersive videos, or blog features that resonate with the target audience and convey the essence of the locale.
• Amplified Reach: Leverage the tourism board’s promotional channels, such as social media platforms, official websites, and visitor guides, to amplify the reach of your collaborative content. By tapping into the board’s established audience base, you can extend the visibility of your brand while contributing to the board’s overarching marketing objectives.
• Storytelling Alignment: Ensure that the narratives woven into the marketing campaigns align with the destination’s brand identity and the tourism board’s messaging. Authentic storytelling that reflects the local culture, heritage, and sustainable tourism ethos resonates deeply with audiences and reinforces the destination’s appeal.
• Targeted Campaigns: Tailor marketing campaigns to cater to specific visitor segments identified by the tourism board. Whether it’s adventure seekers, cultural enthusiasts, or eco-conscious travelers, aligning your promotional efforts with the board’s strategic focus enhances the relevance and impact of the campaigns.
• Performance Measurement: Collaborate with the tourism board to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) that gauge the success of the marketing campaigns. By jointly evaluating the reach, engagement metrics, and conversion rates, both parties can refine future initiatives and optimize the impact of their collaborative endeavors.

Through seamless collaboration on marketing campaigns, travel businesses can harness the storytelling prowess and promotional reach of tourism boards to elevate their brand visibility and connect with a broader audience. As we move forward, we will explore additional facets of partnership with tourism boards, delving into the strategic utilization of resources and support provided by these influential entities.

Leveraging Resources and Support from Tourism Boards

Collaborating with tourism boards presents a wealth of opportunities to leverage their resources and support in bolstering the promotional endeavors of your travel business. These entities are equipped with a diverse array of assets, insights, and industry connections that can significantly enhance your marketing initiatives and visitor engagement. Here’s how you can effectively leverage the resources and support provided by tourism boards:

• Access to Insider Knowledge: Tap into the tourism board’s in-depth knowledge of the destination, including emerging travel trends, upcoming events, and hidden gems. By aligning your offerings with the board’s insights, you can curate compelling experiences that resonate with visitors and align with the destination’s strategic direction.
• Collateral and Visual Assets: Utilize the high-quality visual assets, including photography, videos, and promotional materials, available through the tourism board. These resources can enrich your marketing collateral, website content, and social media presence, infusing it with captivating visuals that convey the allure of the destination.
• Industry Connections and Partnerships: Leverage the tourism board’s network of local businesses, tour operators, and hospitality providers to forge strategic partnerships. Collaborative packages, exclusive offers, and joint promotions can be crafted in conjunction with the board’s partners, enhancing the overall visitor experience and fostering a sense of community engagement.
• Promotional Support: Capitalize on the tourism board’s promotional platforms and campaigns to amplify the visibility of your travel business. Whether it’s featuring in official visitor guides, participating in destination-specific events, or being showcased on the board’s digital channels, such exposure can significantly elevate your brand’s recognition among potential visitors.
• Training and Educational Opportunities: Engage with the tourism board’s training programs, workshops, and educational resources to enhance your understanding of the destination’s unique selling points and visitor expectations. This knowledge empowers you to tailor your offerings and marketing strategies in alignment with the destination’s distinct appeal.

By strategically leveraging the resources and support extended by tourism boards, travel businesses can enrich their offerings, expand their reach, and deliver compelling experiences that resonate with visitors. As we progress, we will delve into the pivotal aspect of measuring the impact of these collaborative efforts, allowing for informed decision-making and continuous refinement of the partnership strategies.

Measuring the Impact of Tourism Board Partnerships

Effectively measuring the impact of partnerships with tourism boards is essential for gauging the success of collaborative endeavors and refining future strategies. By employing robust metrics and evaluation frameworks, travel businesses can glean valuable insights into the reach, engagement, and conversion rates attributed to their collaborative initiatives with tourism boards. Here are key considerations for measuring the impact of these partnerships:

• Performance Metrics: Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with the objectives of the collaborative campaigns and initiatives. These metrics may include website traffic, social media engagement, lead generation, and conversion rates. By quantifying the impact of the partnership, you can assess the tangible outcomes and return on investment.
• Visitor Feedback and Surveys: Solicit feedback from visitors who have engaged with the collaborative content or experiences resulting from the partnership. Understanding their sentiments, preferences, and behavioral patterns provides qualitative insights into the resonance of the campaigns and the effectiveness of the collaborative storytelling.
• Attribution Analysis: Employ attribution models to discern the contribution of the tourism board partnerships to the overall visitor acquisition and conversion funnel. By tracking the customer journey and attributing specific touchpoints to the collaborative initiatives, you can quantify the influence of the partnerships on visitor decision-making.
• Comparative Analysis: Conduct comparative analyses of performance metrics before, during, and after the collaborative campaigns. This longitudinal assessment unveils the incremental impact of the partnerships on brand visibility, audience engagement, and conversion outcomes, providing a comprehensive view of the collaborative efficacy.
• Post-Campaign Evaluation: Collaborate with the tourism board to conduct post-campaign evaluations, reflecting on the successes, challenges, and learnings gleaned from the collaborative initiatives. This reflective analysis informs future strategies and fosters a culture of continuous improvement in the collaborative endeavors.

By diligently measuring the impact of partnerships with tourism boards, travel businesses can refine their collaborative strategies, optimize resource allocation, and demonstrate the tangible value derived from these symbiotic relationships. This data-driven approach empowers both parties to iteratively enhance their collaborative initiatives and drive sustained success in destination promotion and visitor engagement.

Congratulations on embarking on this enlightening journey through the intricacies of working with tourism boards to elevate your travel business. As we conclude this comprehensive guide, it’s imperative to reflect on the transformative potential of collaborative partnerships with tourism boards and the enduring impact they can have on your brand’s visibility, visitor engagement, and destination promotion.

By understanding the pivotal role of tourism boards in destination marketing, you have gained insights into the multifaceted responsibilities of these entities and the strategic significance of aligning your collaborative efforts with their overarching objectives. Building strong relationships with tourism boards, rooted in authenticity, personalized engagement, and value-driven propositions, forms the bedrock for enduring and impactful partnerships.

Collaborating on marketing campaigns with tourism boards unlocks a realm of storytelling possibilities, amplified reach, and targeted engagement with diverse visitor segments. By co-creating compelling content and aligning narratives with the destination’s brand identity, you have the opportunity to captivate audiences and contribute to the enduring allure of the locale.

Leveraging the resources and support provided by tourism boards empowers you to enrich your offerings, expand your reach, and deliver authentic experiences that resonate with visitors. By tapping into insider knowledge, visual assets, industry connections, and promotional platforms, you can elevate your brand’s recognition and foster a deeper connection with potential visitors.

Measuring the impact of your partnerships with tourism boards equips you with valuable data-driven insights to refine your strategies, optimize resource allocation, and demonstrate the tangible value derived from these collaborative endeavors. By quantifying the reach, engagement, and conversion outcomes, you can iteratively enhance the efficacy of your collaborative initiatives and drive sustained success in destination promotion.

As you navigate the dynamic landscape of travel marketing and partnership building, remember that the journey with tourism boards is not merely transactional but rooted in a shared passion for showcasing the beauty and allure of destinations. By fostering enduring relationships, co-creating captivating narratives, and leveraging resources in a purposeful manner, you are poised to leave a lasting imprint on the travel landscape while contributing to the sustainable growth of destinations and communities.

Armed with the knowledge and strategies gleaned from this guide, you are well-equipped to embark on a transformative trajectory, leveraging the power of collaboration with tourism boards to shape compelling visitor experiences, amplify your brand’s influence, and contribute to the enduring allure of travel destinations. Embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, and may your collaborative journey with tourism boards be filled with creativity, impact, and shared success.

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What is a Tourist Board?

A Tourist Board (also known as a tourism board or destination marketing organization) is an organization, typically funded by a government or private sector, that promotes and develops tourism in a particular region or destination.

The primary goal of a tourist board is to increase the number of visitors to the region or destination and to enhance the visitor experience by providing information and services that help visitors plan their trips and enjoy their stay.

Tourist boards typically undertake a range of marketing and promotional activities, such as advertising, public relations, events, and social media campaigns, to attract visitors. They also work closely with tourism businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions, to develop and promote tourism products and services.

In addition, tourist boards may provide visitor information services, such as visitor centers, maps, and guides, to help visitors navigate the destination and find activities and attractions that interest them.

How are tourist boards a benefit to vacation rental businesses?

Tourist boards can play an important role in helping vacation rental businesses by providing a range of services and resources that can help these businesses reach new customers and improve their operations. Here are some ways that tourist boards can help vacation rental businesses:

Promotion and Marketing: Tourist boards often have large marketing budgets and established promotional campaigns to attract visitors to a region or destination. By partnering with a tourist board, vacation rental businesses can benefit from this marketing and promotion, gaining increased exposure to potential customers.

Industry Research and Insights: Tourist boards often conduct research into the tourism industry, providing valuable insights into consumer trends and travel behaviors. This information can be used by vacation rental businesses to tailor their offerings to meet the needs and preferences of visitors.

Networking and Collaboration: Tourist boards often host industry events and workshops, providing opportunities for vacation rental businesses to network and collaborate with other tourism industry professionals. These events can be a valuable source of knowledge and ideas for improving operations and customer service.

Visitor Information and Services: Tourist boards typically provide a range of visitor information and services, such as visitor centers, maps, and guides. Vacation rental businesses can benefit from this by providing their guests access to these resources, which can help enhance the visitor experience and encourage return visits.

Training and Development: Tourist boards may offer training and development programs for tourism industry professionals, including vacation rental businesses. These programs can help improve business operations, customer service, and overall business performance.

By working with tourist boards, vacation rental businesses can benefit from increased exposure, industry insights, networking opportunities, and access to valuable resources and services.

Are there different kinds of tourist boards?

Yes, there are different kinds of tourist boards, each with its own focus and goals. Here are some examples:

National Tourist Boards: These are typically government-funded organizations that promote a country as a tourist destination. Their focus is on marketing the country as a whole and attracting visitors from around the world.

Regional Tourist Boards: These are organizations that promote a particular region within a country as a tourist destination. Their focus is on marketing the unique attractions and experiences of the region to potential visitors.

City Tourist Boards: These are organizations that promote a particular city as a tourist destination. Their focus is on marketing the city’s attractions, events, and cultural experiences to potential visitors.

Industry-Specific Tourist Boards: These are organizations that promote a specific sector within the tourism industry, such as adventure tourism, culinary tourism, or eco-tourism. They focus on marketing the unique experiences and opportunities within that sector to potential visitors.

Non-Profit Tourist Boards: These are organizations that promote tourism in a particular area or region without seeking profit. Their focus is on promoting the destination for the benefit of the local community, rather than generating revenue.

Each type of tourist board has its own approach to promoting tourism, and businesses within the industry can work with these boards to gain exposure and support.

What are some tourist board examples?

There are numerous tourist boards operating around the world. Here are some examples:

VisitBritain

VisitBritain is the national tourist board for the United Kingdom, promoting tourism across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They focus on marketing the country’s rich history, diverse cultural experiences, and scenic natural landscapes to potential visitors. VisitBritain offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Tourism Australia

Tourism Australia is the national tourist board for Australia, promoting tourism across the country, including major cities, natural attractions, and cultural experiences. Their focus is on marketing the country’s unique wildlife, natural beauty, and outdoor activities to potential visitors. Tourism Australia offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

NYC & Company

NYC & Company is the tourist board for New York City, promoting tourism to the city’s iconic landmarks, museums, restaurants, and cultural events. Their focus is on marketing the city as a vibrant, dynamic destination for travelers from around the world. NYC & Company offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Costa Rica Tourism Board

The Costa Rica Tourism Board is the national tourist board for Costa Rica, promoting the country’s eco-tourism, adventure activities, and natural beauty. Their focus is on marketing the country’s unique biodiversity, sustainable tourism practices, and cultural experiences to potential visitors. The Costa Rica Tourism Board offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Jamaica Tourist Board

The Jamaica Tourist Board is the national tourist board for Jamaica, promoting the country’s beaches, music, culture, and cuisine. Their focus is on marketing the country as a vibrant, welcoming destination for travelers seeking relaxation and adventure. The Jamaica Tourist Board offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Dubai Tourism

Dubai Tourism is the tourist board for Dubai, promoting the city’s luxury experiences, shopping, and attractions. Their focus is on marketing the city as a world-class destination for travelers seeking opulence and luxury. Dubai Tourism offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand is the national tourist board for Thailand, promoting the country’s rich cultural heritage, food, and natural beauty. Their focus is on marketing the country’s unique blend of history, religion, and modernity to potential visitors. The Tourism Authority of Thailand offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

Visit Orlando

Visit Orlando is the tourist board for Orlando, Florida, promoting the city’s theme parks, resorts, and family-friendly attractions. Their focus is on marketing the city as a top destination for families seeking fun and excitement. Visit Orlando offers a range of resources for tourism businesses, including marketing and promotional campaigns, industry research and insights, and visitor information services.

These examples illustrate the range of tourist boards operating around the world, each with its own unique focus and approach to promoting tourism.

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What Does a Tourism Board Do?

By Michael Ferguson

A tourism board, also known as a destination marketing organization (DMO), is responsible for promoting a specific location as a travel destination. The primary goal of a tourism board is to increase the number of visitors to an area and generate revenue for local businesses.

But what exactly does a tourism board do? Let’s dive into the details.

Marketing and Promotion

One of the primary responsibilities of a tourism board is marketing and promotion. This includes creating advertising campaigns, developing promotional materials, and managing social media accounts. The goal is to showcase all the unique attractions and experiences that a destination has to offer and entice potential visitors to book their trip.

Sales and Public Relations

Tourism boards also work closely with travel agents, tour operators, and other industry professionals to sell their destination as a travel package. They attend trade shows, organize familiarization tours for travel agents, and host media events to showcase the best of what their location has to offer.

Visitor Services

Once visitors arrive at their destination, the tourism board is often responsible for providing information about local attractions, events, dining options, and accommodations. They may operate visitor centers or have staff available at key locations throughout the area.

Tourism Development

Tourism boards also play an important role in developing new attractions, events, and infrastructure that will appeal to travelers. This includes working with local businesses to improve the overall visitor experience and investing in new projects that will attract more tourists.

• Collaboration:
• Tourism boards often work in collaboration with other organizations such as chambers of commerce or economic development agencies.
• Fundraising:
• Tourism boards may also be responsible for fundraising efforts to support their marketing and promotional activities.
• Research and Analysis:
• Tourism boards conduct research and analysis to better understand visitor demographics, trends, and preferences. This information is used to inform marketing strategies and develop new initiatives.

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Lifestyle and Travel blog helping Bloggers Succeed Online.

How to Work With Tourism Boards

By Helene Sula

In the vast realm of travel blogging and globetrotting, there's one question that echoes through the minds of both bloggers and non-bloggers alike: How do they manage to strike work with with tourism boards and companies?

Honestly, travel blogging often seems like a secret club. But since you follow me, I'm here to give you all the secrets. And I promise you, YOU can work with Tourism Boards and ravel companies! And I have a pitch email in here FOR YOU!!! Yes, really!

I've been able to work with my dream tourism boards (like visit GREAT BRITAIN!) and I want you to work with your dream brands too!

Working with tourism boards is a topic that piques curiosity and ignites a desire to unravel the secrets behind these partnerships. Well, my fellow adventurers, buckle up as I dive deep into the art of collaboration and spill the beans on how to make those dream alliances a reality.

Let's embark on a journey through my extensive experience with tourism boards, ranging from the enchanting Williamsburg, Virginia to the breathtaking landscapes of Colorado and even the ancient wonders of Israel. Together, we'll explore the ins and outs of working withTourism Boards and reveal the answers to the burning questions that often baffle aspiring travel influencers and bloggers.

Before You Pitch a Tourism Board

The importance of a media kit, free media kit templates, how to pitch tourism boards, when to pitch tourism boards and travel companies, how to find tourism board contacts, mastering the art of approaching hotels, what matters when pitching, sample pitch email for bloggers and influencers to pitch tourism boards, what to include in your pitch, frequently asked questions about pitching tourism boards, how do i approach a tourism board for collaboration, who to pitch to, but i don't have a blog, start a profitable blog from scratch, what if they reject my pitch, how to get paid to work with tourism boards.

A media kit is a crucial tool for travel bloggers looking to secure collaborations with tourism boards and companies. It serves as a professional portfolio, showcasing your brand, achievements, and audience demographics. See step by step how to make a media kit here ! Here's why having a well-crafted media kit is essential:

• Professionalism and credibility: A media kit demonstrates your commitment to your blog and adds credibility to your brand, making potential partners take notice.
• Concise communication: It allows you to convey key information about your blog in a clear and impactful manner, saving time for potential partners.
• Showcase reach and engagement: Highlight your blog's reach, engagement metrics, and audience demographics, giving partners valuable insights.
• Display past collaborations: Showcase successful partnerships and achievements to build trust and prove your capabilities.
• Customization for targeted pitches: Tailor your media kit for specific partners, showcasing how your blog aligns with their brand or destination.

Get the media kit template that will make creating yours a BREEZE!

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Investing time in creating a stellar media kit pays off by opening doors to exciting opportunities in the competitive travel blogging world. Keep it visually appealing, concise, and regularly updated to reflect your growth and accomplishments.

The timing of your pitch is a common concern. When is the right time to approach the big guns—the companies and tourism boards? Is your blog “big enough” to catch their attention? Brace yourself for a truth that may sting a bit: there's no golden ticket or magic number when it comes to your blog's size. Crafting an exceptional pitch and landing it in the right inbox is what truly matters. Figures such as page views or Twitter followers won't make or break the deal.

That said, showcasing an engaged audience is crucial. It doesn't matter if your audience is vast or intimate; what matters is their level of engagement. Speaking from experience, my own audience may not be massive, but we share a genuine connection. They actively participate in discussions both on my blog and social platforms. And guess what? That's what caught the attention of Colorado Tourism—the quality of engagement.

Finding the right contact at a tourism board is easier than you might think. Follow these simple steps to suss out the relevant information:

• Conduct a city-specific search: Enter the name of your desired city into a search engine along with keywords like ‘tourism' or ‘visit'. For example, if you're eyeing NYC, search for “Visit NYC”. This will lead you to the official tourism board's website.
• Locate the contact page: Once on the website, navigate to their contact page. This is where you'll find the essential information you need, such as the marketing contact details.

When it comes to reaching out to hotels, there are a few different strategies you can employ. Try these tactics for success:

• Direct contact through research: Start by searching the hotel's name online and locate their marketing contact information. Often, hotels have dedicated personnel responsible for handling marketing inquiries. Use this direct approach to establish contact.
• Engage with PR agencies: Many hotels entrust their relationship management to PR agencies. If you cannot find a direct contact, consider reaching out to the hotel's PR agency. They can provide you with the necessary guidance and facilitate communication between you and the hotel.
• Utilize media request forms: Some major hotel chains, such as Marriott, have simplified the process by providing media request forms directly on their websites. Take advantage of these forms to submit your proposal or request.

By employing these techniques, you'll be well on your way to connecting with tourism boards and hotels effectively.

Now, you might wonder how to cultivate an engaged audience that will captivate tourism boards. The answer lies in two secret weapons: top-tier content and an authentic online persona. These elements hold immense power. If you can establish an audience that genuinely cares about your journey and perspectives, you're already halfway there. Before even thinking about pitching to tourism boards, focus on building a rock-solid blog that resonates with your niche. Unleash your unique voice and let it shine through your content. That's the magic formula that will attract and captivate these tourism boards.

So, you've built a strong foundation—an engaging blog and a devoted audience. What's next on this quest to secure collaborations with companies and tourism boards? Allow me to share some invaluable wisdom:

Before you pitch, make sure you:

• Know your wants. GET SPECIFIC! Identify your destination and preferred time frame. Then, determine precisely what you're asking for. Are you seeking an all-expenses-paid trip, or do you prefer coverage for specific aspects? Would a comped tour or a media discount suffice? Nail down these details before crafting your pitch.
• Know your worth. Understand what you can offer. Besides knowing what you want, it's crucial to understand what you can bring to the table. What sets you apart from others? What's your unique selling proposition? Why would a company or tourism board want to align their brand or destination with you? Consider the extent of coverage you can provide and the reach of your platform.
• Figure out your pitch target. Play detective! Your next mission is to find the right person to pitch to. Conduct thorough research on the company or destination's official website and social media accounts. Look for a designated media contact—if one is listed, that's your target. Try to bypass generic “info” email addresses if possible.
• Factor in your travel season. Timing matters. Consider whether you'll be visiting a destination during peak tourist season or the off-peak period. If it's the high season or aligns with a major event, get your pitch out there ASAP. Last-minute pitches may not fly if they're inundated with requests. For instance, I reached out to Colorado Tourism merely three weeks before my winter trip, and it worked out fine. However, whenever possible, avoid cutting it too close.
• Why should they work with you? Maybe it's not your huge audience but you have incredible photography. Maybe you have a keen focus on biking and the outdoors. Maybe your husband is really into milk and they have a dairy farm. Whatever it is, share why.

By following these strategic steps and infusing them with your unique voice and style, you're setting yourself up for success. With every well-crafted pitch, you're inching closer to forging alliances that will catapult your travel blogging journey to new heights.

Before we get into this I want you to notice that this isn't short. It's detailed. It's specific. It takes effort, but it's worth it!

Subject: Collaboration Opportunity: Showcasing [Your Blog Name] in [Destination]

Dear [Tourism Board Contact's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am the founder of [Your Blog Name], a travel blog that specializes in exploring unique destinations and sharing captivating stories with our engaged audience of travel enthusiasts.

I recently discovered the remarkable offerings and hidden gems of [Destination], and I was instantly captivated by its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and vibrant local experiences. As an avid traveler and storyteller, I am compelled to share the beauty of [Destination] with our readers, and I believe that a collaboration with [Tourism Board Name] would be the perfect opportunity to achieve this.

With [Your Blog Name]'s dedicated readership and active social media presence, we have successfully built a community of passionate travelers who rely on our recommendations and insights. Our unique content style blends personal narratives, practical tips, and striking visuals to inspire and guide our readers' own journeys. We firmly believe that [Destination] deserves the spotlight, and we would love to collaborate with [Tourism Board Name] to create engaging and immersive content that showcases its true essence.

Here's an overview of the potential collaboration ideas we can explore together:

• Destination Highlights: We can curate a series of in-depth articles and visually stunning guides that highlight the must-visit attractions, hidden gems, and off-the-beaten-path experiences that make [Destination] truly extraordinary.
• Local Culture and Traditions: We can delve into the cultural fabric of [Destination], featuring interviews with local artisans, exploring traditional festivals, and immersing ourselves in authentic local experiences to provide a deeper understanding of the destination.
• Unique Experiences: We can collaborate with local businesses and establishments to showcase unique experiences exclusive to [Destination], such as culinary adventures, adventure sports, eco-tourism initiatives, or immersive cultural workshops.
• Inspiring Itineraries: We can craft meticulously planned itineraries that cater to different traveler preferences, whether it's a family-friendly getaway, a solo traveler's adventure, or a luxury retreat, ensuring that every visitor can make the most of their time in [Destination].

As a seasoned travel blogger, I understand the importance of building authentic and long-lasting partnerships. I assure you that our collaboration will be approached with professionalism, creativity, and a genuine passion for promoting [Destination] to our engaged audience. Moreover, we are committed to adhering to any guidelines or objectives set forth by [Tourism Board Name] to ensure our collaboration aligns seamlessly with your vision.

I would be thrilled to discuss this collaboration opportunity further and explore how we can work together to showcase the wonders of [Destination].

Thank you for considering this proposal. I look forward to the possibility of partnering with [Tourism Board Name] and creating compelling content that celebrates the beauty of [Destination]. Please let me know if there is a convenient time for a call or if you would prefer to communicate via email. I've also attached my media kit for your review.

Thanks for your time,

[Your Name]

[Your Blog Name]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Website] [Your Social Media Handles]

BONUS: If you have any specifics that might WOW them, include that too!

When you're setting your sights on a tourism board for potential collaboration, crafting an engaging, enticing pitch email is absolutely essential. Here's how you get their attention:

A Warm Introduction: Don't be shy – start by presenting yourself and your blog with confidence. Let them know who you are, what your blog stands for, and who your readers are. You'll want to give them a feel for your reader demographics and interests.

Professionalism with a Personal Twist: Finding the sweet spot between professional communication and your own unique voice is key. Your pitch email should come off more formal than a tweet or Instagram caption, but it still needs to showcase your personality and your brand's vibe. This is your chance to display your writing chops while also keeping things professional.

Getting Specific with Your Dates: If you're looking for sponsored tours or coverage for your stay, it's crucial to give them the exact dates of your travel. Not only does this show you've got a solid plan in place, but it also signals that you're primed for collaboration. If you haven't nailed down your dates yet, it's best to hold off on sending your pitch.

Making Your Wishes Known (Without Overstepping): Clearly spell out what you're looking for in this collaboration, but keep a flexible attitude. Don't come off as demanding or entitled – you should express your needs, but it's just as important to show that you're open to working together with the tourism board to meet shared goals.

Adding a Dash of Stats: Sprinkle in some relevant statistics about the size of your blog's audience, engagement levels, and social media followers. Bear in mind that the tourism board will likely do their own digging, so honesty is the best policy. A succinct summary paragraph featuring your key stats gives them a snapshot of your reach.

The Cherry on Top – Your Media Kit : A thorough media kit is the perfect finishing touch. This should include detailed info about your blog, your audience demographics, key stats, and past collaborations. Toss in some glowing testimonials from happy partners to underscore your influence and the power of your content. Your media kit is a handy tool for the tourism board to gain a deeper understanding of your blog and its potential for partnership.

Stick to these guidelines and tailor your pitch email to fit the particular tourism board, and you'll be well on your way to forging meaningful partnerships and collaborations.

When approaching a tourism board for collaboration, it's essential to research and familiarize yourself with their goals, values, and target audience. Craft a personalized pitch that highlights how your blog or platform aligns with their objectives. Introduce yourself, provide a clear value proposition, and explain how a partnership would benefit both parties. Remember to showcase your expertise and previous successful collaborations to demonstrate your credibility.

Not every destination, company, or tourism board will be a suitable match for your blog and audience, and that's perfectly fine. It's crucial to maintain a discerning approach and refrain from sending out pitches indiscriminately.

A good way to avoid hearing “no” is working with tourism boards that align your interests and what you already share about.

That's absolutely okay! Share your social media stats and showcase your audience!

P.S. I'm a big believer in a blog . If for nothing else, think of it as a diary you'll never lose. So, this might just convince you .

A free email course to show you how to start a blog, step-by-step!

YAY! You are going to start an awesome blog. Check your email for full details.

HECK YES! I'd like to receive the free email course.

If you fear the possibility of rejection, here's the reality: it may happen. Some pitches may receive a “no” response, while others may not garner any reply at all. However, it's crucial not to base your travel plans solely on the expectation of free trips or sponsorships.

Each pitch and sponsorship outcome serves as a learning experience. Instead of viewing rejection or being ignored as negative, embrace them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Getting paid to work with tourism boards is an exciting opportunity for travel bloggers and content creators. While securing paid collaborations requires strategic effort, it is certainly achievable with the right approach.

• Build a Strong Brand and Audience: Focus on establishing a unique brand identity and cultivating an engaged audience that aligns with the interests of tourism boards. Showcase your expertise, authenticity, and storytelling abilities through high-quality content that resonates with your readers. By demonstrating the value you provide to your audience, you position yourself as an attractive partner for tourism boards seeking to reach and engage a targeted demographic.
• Develop a Professional Media Kit: Create a comprehensive media kit that highlights your blog's reach, audience demographics, engagement metrics, and previous successful collaborations. Clearly articulate the benefits and value of partnering with your platform. Include case studies, testimonials, and examples of your work to showcase your ability to deliver results. A professional media kit serves as a persuasive tool when pitching to tourism boards and demonstrates your professionalism and preparedness.
• Tailor Your Pitches: When reaching out to tourism boards, craft personalized pitches that clearly articulate the unique value you bring to their destination or brand. Emphasize your expertise, creativity, and ability to create captivating content that aligns with their goals. Clearly outline the deliverables and outcomes you can provide, such as blog posts, social media promotion, video content, or event coverage. Be prepared to negotiate and discuss compensation terms, demonstrating your confidence in the value you bring to the collaboration.
• Showcase Your Results: After successfully collaborating with a tourism board, showcase the impact of your work. Provide analytics and data on the reach, engagement, and conversions generated through your content. Share testimonials and feedback from the tourism board and your audience. Highlight the tangible benefits and return on investment achieved through your collaboration. By demonstrating the measurable results you can deliver, you strengthen your position when approaching future tourism board partnerships.

Building relationships with tourism boards takes time and persistence. Be professional, responsive, and reliable in your communications and deliverables. As you establish your credibility and reputation in the industry, you will increase your chances of securing paid collaborations with tourism boards and turning your passion for travel into a sustainable and rewarding profession.

Remember, it's not just about the numbers—it's about building a community that resonates with your passion. So, get ready to embark on an adventure filled with compelling content, authentic connections, and memorable collaborations. The world of travel blogging awaits!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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Unforgettable adventures await in Cornwall. Whether seeking total relaxation or adrenaline-filled days out, we promise Cornwall has something for you. Discover more and plan your dream escape today.

Summer in cornwall.

Top things to do in September

Experience Cornwall in September, where summer fades gently into autumn. Enjoy quiet beaches, local BBQs, and vibrant festivals—perfect for soaking in the last of the summer sun.

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Whether you're in need of a last-minute getaway or whether you're simply looking for a saving for your next adventure, we have an offer for you. From last-minute trips to early bird discounts, a quick weekend away to savvy savings on your family break; discover more of Cornwall for less.

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Everything you need to know to plan your perfect Cornish getaway.

Dogs are restricted on the designated beaches at the times listed below Cornwall Council enforces restrictions at the following beaches which are all part of a Public Spaces Protection Order. Other privately owned beaches may have their own local restrictions in force.

Please note: Blue Flag and Seaside Award beaches have longer restrictions due to the requirements of the Award status. In addition there are three protected wildlife areas that are subject to individual restrictions.

That all depends on what you are looking for? North Cornwall tends to be wilder, rugged cliffs, long sandy windswept beaches, a land of myth's and legends...

The south coast is gentler, historic fishing villages, small sheltered coves and green fields running down to the water's edge.

Whichever coast you choose, you will receive a warm welcome, and if you do get bored, it's never much more than an hour's drive from one side to the other.

Travel to Cornwall by car

It takes less than five hours to get from London or Birmingham to the heart of Cornwall by car.

Drive along the M4 motorway from London, or M6 from Manchester, and then the M5 to Exeter and finally either the A30, that is mostly dual carriageway, or the A38 passing Plymouth and Saltash into South East Cornwall.

Alternatively if you enter Cornwall from North Devon, there is the scenic A39 Atlantic Highway running through Bude, which you can join from Junction 27 on the M5.

Due to the high volume of traffic on Cornwall's roads during the summer months the main routes can become congested especially at weekends. Travelling overnight or outside peak rush hours is recommended to avoid long delays.

• To plan your journey use the AA Route Planner for a tailor made travel plan with timings and mileage
• For information on possible delays or roadwork's throughout the UK or in Cornwall visit Traffic Watch
• Travelling to Cornwall with a caravan? Check out this Caravan Towing guide

Travel to Cornwall by coach and bus

National Express operate a full service into Cornwall as far as Penzance, Megabus s also go to a few towns including Newquay and Falmouth.

Coach travel times from London or Birmingham to the city of Truro are around 7-8 hours

Many tour operators offer coach holidays to Cornwall, contact your local travel agent for details.

For information on public transport, including local bus timetables, once you are in Cornwall [click here].( https://www.firstbus.co.uk/cornwall/plan-journey/timetables ).

If you are bringing a coach to Cornwall, did you know Cornwall Council now offers a weekly coach rover ticket . This is available for all car parks where coaches are permitted and costs £16.60 for 24 hours or £55.35 for 7 days and £38.75 for 4 days.

There's a well-known saying that Devon is close to perfection, perfection being Cornwall!

You won't get a real Cornish pasty in Devon, and they don't know how to make a proper cream tea.....

What more do we need to say?

Yes, Truro is Cornwall's only city. It has a population of around 21,000 people and is famous for it's gothic architecture and paved streets. A pleasant place to spend the day shopping or visiting the Royal Cornwall Museum. In the evening there are plenty of bars and restaurants, a cinema and the Hall for Cornwall theatre.

You can always tell a holiday maker by the way they pronounce certain Cornish placenames... Tintagel, Launceston, Mevagissey, Mousehole.... but probably the most common mispronunciation is Fowey.

It rhymes with toy, not cow, so say Foy and you won't be far wrong!

The name comes from the old Cornish word for Beech Tree, and is taken from the name of the river rather than the town.

Cornwall has been consistently voted one of Britain’s top tourist destinations. As the official tourist board, it is Visit Cornwall’s mission to build on this success and seize every opportunity to continue to make Cornwall a quality destination of choice.

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25 Best Tourism Board Websites in the World in 2017

Dan Peltier, Skift

August 8th, 2017 at 2:30 AM EDT

The best tourism websites in the business in 2017 are emphasizing user-generated content from platforms like Instagram and doubling down on video to make destinations seem more real rather than a part of a traveler's imagination.

It’s our fifth birthday this week. Click on the logo for more big stories.

Travelers have an unlimited number of online resources they can use to plan and book their trips. Tourism board websites remain relevant for many travelers who have always used them, discover them through a booking site , or because they might rank high in Google search results, for example.

But probably more travelers consider platforms such as Instagram;  Facebook with its new City Guides product , recommendations from family and friends;  YouTube ;  TripAdvisor ; or Google  as their top sources of travel inspiration.

Why then should tourism boards invest in a website that travelers likely aren’t as familiar with compared to other channels in 2017?

That’s a point that Tourism New Zealand is considering as it continues to invest in its site while cutting out content that travelers aren’t interested in, said Stephen England-Hall, CEO of Tourism New Zealand. “Our site gives us an idea of what travelers are interested in. It’s less about an individual traveler’s interest and more about the blob of individuals that visit our site and what they’re like.”

Skift tracked the world’s 25 best tourism board websites in 2013 and 2016,  and below is our 2017 list.

The selections are getting increasingly tough.  As we reported last year , many tourism boards are simplifying their websites on the front end. The best sites are adopting a similar full-width modular design, flat architecture and streamlined navigation due to the demand for speed and efficiency on mobile.

Many tourism board websites have been redesigned during the past few years to help make their destinations appear more exciting and welcoming.

In many cases, these facelifts and new features have improved the user experience while other sites look great but they probably aren’t the most helpful resource for someone trying to research or book a trip. Other sites, of course, can be unattractive, clunky and of little use to would-be vacationers.

This year, we’re seeing much more Instagram and other user-generated content  integration into websites and more video, including  360-degree videos,  such as with Visit Idaho , Visit The Faroe Islands, and Cape Town Tourism .

Many of these sites are also prominently featuring events  and these are often the modules that a traveler’s eyes are drawn to first. Tourism boards promoting events is nothing novel, of course; they are one of the reasons the board were originally founded. But the fact that they maintain prime real estate on many of these sites signifies their continued importance to tourism boards’ bottom lines.

But much of the real change and innovation is also happening on the back end. Mining data from site visitors is a practice that many tourism boards are still working on — and others haven’t started.

Customer relationship management (CRM) platforms have evolved and many are capable of generating endless amounts of data analytics for tourism boards to use to target travelers with relevant content, learn which partners provide the best return on investment, and leverage the site as a testbed for larger marketing initiatives.

Destination Canada , which took a spot on our 2017 list, is working with Google on its paid and organic search to learn more about how travelers are finding its website and what kind of travelers find the board through Google.

“It’s not about driving traffic to our website, it’s about driving content to our partners’ websites,” said Jon Mamela, chief marketing officer of Destination Canada.

Shift to Highlighting User-Generated Content

Destination Canada’s articles,  such as one featuring Instagram photos of Algonquin Provincial Park,  help create a sense of realism about the country, said Mamela, that only user-generated content can do.

“User-generated content might even be a bit surprising and we can break those stereotypes both from Canadians and those who have visited Canada in the past,” said Mamela.

Visit Greenland and Discover The Palm Beaches – both on our 2017 list – emphasize travelers’ photos on their sites and in Greenland’s case, its entire site is essentially a dashboard of social media posts and photos featuring the destination.

But we also chose destinations that have retained their voices on their site through content that they produce and control. User-generated content is about striking the right balance with the stories a destination wants to tell and too much user-generated content can muddle those stories.

There’s also been a shift in the last two years from static billboard tourism websites — promoting tourism and hospitality partners with lots of banner ads and generic descriptions — to more story-driven portals that feature original content that the tourism boards produced.

Visit California’s website , for example, remains one of the benchmarks for building a quality tourism website with a user-friendly experience.

The launch of  Visit California’s platform in January 2015  set the standard for the long-scrolling, photo-driven, content-first, mobile-first tourism website. In October 2013, visitcalifornia.com had 150,000 views for the month. In June 2017, the site’s U.S. domain had more than two million views on desktop and mobile,  according to SimilarWeb .

The 2017 List

We considered dozens of sites from around the world and decided to cap this list at 25.

Like our 2016 list , our 2017 list also prioritizes websites with the best user experience overall, especially on mobile; the most modern modular layout, seamless navigation and impactful visuals, and the most nuanced multi-format storytelling.

A fourth, more subjective criteria, involved how all of the above work together to make you want to go visit the destination, and more importantly, actually use the website to research the entire travel experience.

We only considered U.S. versions of these websites and only the consumer-facing sites versus industry or travel trade sites.

This isn’t an exhaustive list of all of the world’s tourism sites with fantastic user experiences, design or customer relationship management platforms. But after analyzing scores of websites from around the world, we feel we have a list that’s representative of best in breed tourism board sites.

We also wanted to represent every region and include a mix of city, regional and national tourism boards. We didn’t consider any tourism boards that made last year’s list, with one exception ( read why below ).

We list the sites by region and they aren’t ranked in any particular order.

North America

Visit Detroit:   Everyone likes a comeback story and that’s exactly what Visit Detroit’s website is selling. The tourism board greets visitors with a message of “America’s Great Comeback City” on the homepage. The homepage images portray the city as an exciting place to visit that has a little something for everyone. The site seems very user-friendly. It’s all a bit refreshing for a city that has endured years of setbacks and negative perceptions.

Visit Idaho:   This site pushes family travel and offers parents plenty of reasons to plan a family vacation to the state. The navigation bar at the top of the homepage also lets travelers click through to watch 360-degree videos of various places around the state. The imagery throughout the site drives home the point that this is a state that keeps family travel at the heart of its tourism marketing.

Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority:   An overall clean design that gives many travelers exactly what they’re looking for when researching a trip to Vegas. The site gets to the heart of why most travelers likely want to visit the city rather than push an alternative itinerary or agenda, for example.

Visit New Hampshire:   New Hampshire is all about its mountains and lakes, and some of those are on display in a compelling video that plays when travelers first enter the site. Travelers can also take a three-question survey that curates recommendations based on what kind of vacation they want to have. There’s also a nice carousel of travelers’ Instagram photos that helps travelers imagine themselves visiting these places.

Discover The Palm Beaches:  Many travel brands are still working on personalizing their products and Discover The Palm Beaches in Florida does something simple yet powerful in this vein right off the bat: greeting travelers with the name of their city based on their Internet IP address. The site has plenty of original content that highlights all the neighborhoods and destinations in the Palm Beaches, which is a challenge for any regional tourism board.

Visit Florida:   The Florida Legislature spared the state tourism board a dramatic funding cut earlier this year but that’s not why we’re highlighting the website of the most-visited U.S. state. We really like that Visit Florida showcases services and attractions for what are often underserved corners of the population, such as disabled travelers. The tourism board produced content for disabled travelers and is currently spotlighting it. Another standout feature is the Florida Beach Finder, which matches travelers with the best beaches for them based on their preferences.

Bermuda Tourism Authority:  This site is rich with inspiring content and for a small island nation in the middle of the Atlantic the site demonstrates that there’s no shortage of things to do or people to meet.

Destination Canada:  Canada’s national tourism website made our 2016 list and it’s the only one we also chose in 2017. It’s not easy to market a country as large as Canada; Destination Canada uses a lot of Instagram integration and other user-generated content to help it cover the marketing holes the site couldn’t otherwise fill. The board also gets creative with comparing how Canada and the U.S. – its largest visitor market – are both different and alike.

Destination Canada keeps maps at the heart of its site to help travelers get a lay of the land. But we also like how a primary focus seems to be pushing various kinds of experiences in Canada and then showing travelers where they can have those experiences. As a result, planning a trip to Canada – the world’s second largest country by land area – seems less daunting.

Like our next choice, Canada is also celebrating a big birthday this year.

Tourisme Montreal:  First, we’ll say happy 375th birthday to Montreal. Then, we’ll add that Tourisme Montreal’s site helps portray the city as a youthful and exciting place to visit despite its advanced age. We also like how it’s easy for travelers to save their favorite things to do and see by simply clicking a heart icon and then retrieving those saved experiences by clicking on that icon at the top of the homepage.

Latin America

Ecuador Travel:  While Ecuador is probably universally known for its Galapagos Islands, which sit more than 500 miles off-shore, Ecuador’s national tourism site features beautiful creative of top points of interest to help it market the rest of the country. It also has a convenient and cheeky widget that calculates the distance a traveler’s home country is from Ecuador.

Visit Panama:  Panama knows it has a lot of competition in Central and Latin America from destinations with similar offerings, climates and beautiful beaches. But its central marketing message that the country is “not for tourists,” which is featured prominently on the homepage, is definitely a departure from many other campaigns that travelers see.

Puerto Rico Tourism Company:  This site has the most TripAdvisor integration of any tourism board site we’ve seen. Many travelers turn to TripAdvisor reviews for advice, which in turn, helps bolster the Puerto Rico tourism website’s credibility. There’s also a lot of useful information succinctly packed into the homepage.

Visit The Faroe Islands:  We’ll point out that the Faroe Islands uses “ Sheepview” to show travelers’ 360-degree views of the country . But there are also a lot of other cool features and design elements going on that showcase the country as a very inspiring place to visit.

Geneva Tourism:  With an emphasis on its arts scene and museums, Geneva also conveniently lays out different tabs, such as “budget,” “luxury” or “off the beaten track.” for travelers to click on to help them plan their trip.

Visit Limerick:  We like how Limerick, Ireland draws attention to the different reasons why people travel to Limerick whether it’s for school, leisure or business. It also gives you a sense of what it’s like to live in the city and has helpful resources for locals to understand why they should be involved in the city’s tourism industry.

Vienna Tourist Board:  Events are a hook for why many travelers plan a vacation, and Vienna highlights all the important lineups this year. It’s also nice to see Vienna prominently featuring its Vienna City Card (a pass that gets travelers discounts at attractions and free travel on public transportation) which is the kind of offering that many travelers are interested in. Other cities have similar tourist cards and passes but don’t make as big of a play for them on their sites.

Visit Greenland:   This site’s sweet spot is user-generated content that demonstrates the importance of platforms such as Instagram in destination marketing in 2017. For a country with fewer than 60,000 residents, Greenland is trying to capture both U.S. and European travelers interested in off-the-beaten-path kind of adventure.

Asia-Pacific

Tourism Fiji:  Anyone looking for a quintessential island vacation will probably find what they’re looking for on Fiji’s tourism site. They also have a nifty currency calculator tool that helps travelers determine how much their money will be worth on a Fiji vacation.

Visit Korea:  The tourism board portrays South Korea as a progressive and lively place to visit and this is one of most visually appealing and helpful tourism websites in Asia that we’ve seen.

Tourism New Zealand:  Whether it’s from the “Lord of the Rings” or other movies, New Zealand has been basking in the film tourism industry for many years. With its new Bryce Dallas Howard-led campaign, it’s telling a new story to a new generation.

Tourism Western Australia:   Australia’s national tourism website has done some innovative things in recent years but we wanted to highlight an Australian regional tourism website that also deserves recognition. The tourism board introduces this beautiful part of the country using stories from people who live there.

Middle East

Visit Abu Dhabi:  Located at the crossroads of east and west, Abu Dhabi is trying to reach a new kind of luxury customer with its website . Abu Dhabi’s “Your Extraordinary Story” campaign shows travelers that while the emirate has an array of experiences that are likely too expensive for budget travelers it also has affordable activities and attractions for families, friends and couples that still elicit the feeling of exclusivity.

Oman Tourism:  Lots of interactive content here and one of the most well-designed tourism websites in the Middle East. There’s also a ton of useful information that helps reassure travelers that Oman is a safe and inviting place to visit despite violent stereotypes associated with other parts of the Middle East.

Cape Town Tourism:  Many tourism boards are keen on showing travelers how they can live like locals during their visit, and the “Langa” video is a great example of how to show a destination for what it is rather than portraying it as something it’s not. From articles about how to be a responsible tourist to activities for disabled travelers, you really get a sense of what it’s like to live and be a visitor in this South African city.

Tanzania Tourism:  Tanzania is known for its safari offerings but it does well at showcasing other activities throughout the country. Many African countries don’t have a tourism website or their websites aren’t comprehensive enough to be useful. Tanzania stands out as a country that wants to engage with its visitors and have a dialogue about what they want from a visit to the country.

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Photo credit: Visit NH, like others on Skift's 2017 list of best tourism board websites, features an abundance of user-generated content meant to help travelers see a destination through a less filtered lens. Visit New Hampshire

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Tourist boards.

Tourist boards are official organizations that promote travel to specific cities, countries, or regions. Their main role is to provide information and resources to travelers, including transportation options, popular attractions, and accommodations. They also focus on sharing the history and culture of the area.

There are two main types of tourist boards: national and regional. The national board is responsible for promoting tourism across the entire country, while the regional board focuses on specific provinces, states, or regions within the country. Both national and regional boards work to enhance the reputation of tourism and improve the overall quality of tourist experiences.

Listings in Tourist Boards

Tourist boards are official organizations that promote travel to specific cities, countries, or regions. Their main role is to provide information and resources to travelers, including transportation options, popular attractions, and accommodations. They also focus on sharing the history and culture of the area. There are two main types of tourist boards: national and regional. The national board is responsible for promoting tourism across the entire country, while the regional board focuses on specific provinces, states, or regions within the country. Both national and regional boards work to enhance the reputation of tourism and improve the overall quality of tourist experiences.

Aruba Tourism Authority

Egyptian tourism authority, guyana tourism authority, office national du tourisme de madagascar (ontm), sierra leone national tourist board, tourism fiji, abu dhabi department of culture & tourism, albanian national tourism agency, andorra tourism, anguilla tourist board, find travel suppliers, destinations and specialties..

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• Tourist Boards Around the World
• December 4, 2019

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Hong kong tourism board.

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About VisitScotland

VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourist board. We provide advice, information and inspiration to visitors who are planning a trip to Scotland.

We do this in many ways, including through this website.

What does VisitScotland do?

Adventure conference

Overview of VisitScotland

We benefit Scotland by growing the tourism industry. We want Scotland to be recognised in the global marketplace for its wealth of incredible features.

VisitScotland event, Perth

Supporting Scottish tourism

We work closely with businesses, public agencies and local authorities for two reasons:

• to give visitors the very best of Scotland
• to help the tourism industry make the most of our outstanding places.

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Responsibility, accessibility and equality

We want to make holidays in Scotland accessible to everyone. VisitScotland run several programmes that support tourism businesses and inclusive practices for the widest range of visitors possible.

A previous regional tourism conference activity

Quality Assurance

Our 5-star grading scheme is a clear, reliable sign of exceptional customer service and high-quality facilities. You can find accommodation, attractions and places to eat that come with the VisitScotland seal of approval.

Our locations

VisitScotland has a number of offices.

Edinburgh iCentre

Main office

VisitScotland Waverley Court 4 East Market Street Edinburgh EH8 8BG

See the main office on Google Maps

See all office locations

Find out more

Find all the contact details you need for VisitScotland with phone and email addresses for general enquiries and business requests.

What can you get in a VisitScotland iCentre?

Visit our Information Centres when you are in Scotland for tips, advice, tickets and more.

Find experiences

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Other things you might like

As well as this site, VisitScotland run several websites related to the travel and tourism industry in Scotland.

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Meaning of tourist board in English

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Examples of tourist board

Word of the Day

a toy made from cloth and filled with a soft material so that it is pleasant to hold, often in the form of an animal

Like a bull in a china shop: talking about people who are clumsy

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Sri lanka tourism development authority.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) is the government authority tasked with planning, development, regulation, and policy implementation of tourism and related industries. Prior to SLTDA being established in 2007, these functions primarily resided with the organization known as Ceylon Tourist Board/Sri Lanka Tourist Board/Sri Lanka Tourism Board.

To be recognized as the world’s finest island for memorable, authentic and diverse experiences.

To be a high-value destination offering extraordinary experiences that reflect Sri Lanka’s natural and cultural heritage, are socially inclusive and environmentally responsible, and provide economic benefits to communities and the country.

Visitor Alert

With effect from 1st January 2024, only the Guests with Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) Licensed Jeep Drivers will be permitted to enter the Yala National Park.

Main road to Yala National Park from Palatupana is closed due to repairs until further notice. Anybody visiting are kindly requested to use Katagamuwa entrance.

New Work Arrangement of SLTDA.

Dear stakeholders! Please be noted that the Head office of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is open for the public on every Monday , Wednesday and Thursday due to new work arrangement.

NOTICE TO GATHER INFORMATION ON LOAN/ LEASE, FUEL & GAS CONSUMPTION

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and the Ministry of Tourism are planning to provide solutions to the registered tourism service providers during this difficult time to serve tourist aiming to regain tourism soon.

The purpose of this notice is to gather information on financial facility and energy consumption (Fuel & Gas) of the SLTDA registered tourist establishments, services & individuals to work out a short-term solution to serve tourists.

Thus, kindly fill the Google Forms given on our website for loan/ lease, fuel and gas (separately) to reach back on or before 10.00 AM on 12th June 2022. Please note that filling Google form is mandatory and we are unable to accept any other forms of request.

FUEL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ×

Fuel assistance program.

• More Details:- Click Here.
• Our service is confined only to registered SLTDA service providers.
• Uploading of image of Registration Certificate and Tour Itinerary, are essential for vehicle fuel recommendation.
• Tourist drivers are requested to obtain registration number if the ID card is pending.(011-2437800/Ext-346)

(During week days 08.30am - 4.15pm)

• Self driving foreigners requested to upload passport copy/ visa page & confirmed booking made at a SLTDA registered accommodation.
• Self-Drive Tourists: Swipe-and-Go Card with Forex top-up facility: Updates available soon.
• Individual drivers can apply only upto two vehicles unless otherwise please apply via travel agency.
• Petrol is now availble in Galle Navy Base.

Fuel Available Places

• For Vehicles: CPC Sheds, Selected Army & Navy Bases, SLTB Depots.
• For Generators: CPC Sheds, If any issue please contact Area Manager .
• Petrol & Diesel: CPC Sheds.
• Petrol: Selected Army & Navy Base.
• Diesel: SLTB Depots & Selected Army Bases.
• Currently working with CPC to get priority fuel stations for Tourism sector.
• Petrol: Galle Navy Base & Selected Army Bases.
• Form Link:- tourismfuel.sltda.gov.lk

(Except Weekends, Public holydays)

THE SOFT LIQUOR PERMISSION FOR SLTDA REGISTERED TOURIST ESTABLISHMENTS

• Soft Liquor Request letter format:- Download
• More Details:- Important Notices

Assistance with Fuel to Tourist Services

Dear Tourist Service Provider, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority with Ministry of Tourism is facilitating emergency assistance to provide fuel for commuting and arriving guests. To get the assistance please fill the following Google form and submit to us. Our aim is to help all therefore, kindly send the form and wait for our reply by email. Priority be given to SLTDA registered Services/Persons.

Applicable to citizens of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan.(For more details, Please visit immigration website)

Golden Paradise Visa

GLOBAL CODE OF ETHICS FOR TOURISM

For All Tourist

• Tourism Development Levy

Visa Related

Publications, exhibitions & others.

• Chamber of Commerce (Sri Lanka)
• Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators
• Association of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tourism Sri Lanka
• Chamber of Tourism & Industry - Sri Lanka

Industry Partners Association

• Government of Sri Lanka Official Web Portal
• The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka
• Department of Immigration and Emigration

Related Links

• Tourist Attractions in Sri Lanka
• SLTDA Approved Tourism Businesses
• Sri Lanka At a Glance
• Travel News
• How to fly your drone legitimately
• Gem & Jewellery Authority Registered Service Providers

Information

• Sustainable Tourism
• Sri Lanka Map
• Ministry of Tourism and Land
• Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
• Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management
• Sri Lanka Convention Bureau

Our Agencies

Other portals, visit our other portals.

Our Travel Site

SL Tourism Awards

National Holiday Resorts

SL Institute of Tourism