Heritage travelers key
A recent research study reveals that 78% of all U.S. leisure travelers participate in cultural and/or heritage activities while traveling, translating to 118.3 million adults each year. With cultural and heritage travelers spending an average of $994 per trip, they contribute more than $192 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
"We discovered that an impressive number of U.S. travelers seek out cultural and heritage experiences," said Helen Marano, director, Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce. "With 78% of all domestic leisure travelers participating in cultural and heritage activities, their expenditures confirm that this is a strong market, and they are contributing significantly to our communities during these challenging economic times."
Cultural and heritage travelers as a whole are more frequent travelers, reporting an average of 5.01 leisure trips in the past 12 months.
The study found that cultural and heritage travelers are more likely to participate in culinary activities, such as sampling artisan food and wines, attending food and wine festivals, visiting farmers' markets, shopping for gourmet foods, and enjoying unique dining experiences as well as fine dining.
Other cultural and heritage activities identified by travelers include :
visiting historic sites (66%);
attending historical re-enactments (64%);
visiting art museums/galleries (54%);
attending an art/craft fair or festival (45%);
attending a professional dance performance (44%);
visiting state/national parks (41%);
shopping in museum stores (32%);
and exploring urban neighborhoods (30%).
The vast majority of these travelers (65%) say that they seek travel experiences where the "destination, its buildings and surroundings have retained their historic character."
The study was conducted by Mandala Research for the U.S. Cultural & Heritage Tourism Marketing Council, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce. Heritage Travel, Inc., a subsidiary of The National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Source: Hospitalitytrends.com
Five don’ts in biz social media
Social media isn’t complicated. It’s about listening to your customers, offering your knowledge and giving them interesting content to share and thereby advocate for you. It’s about the ability to connect. So why is it so difficult for so many companies to integrate social media successfully? Here are some tips from Amy Mental, a communications manger and consultant in Albany, N.Y.:
1. They can’t talk about anything broader than their own products
For example, Kodak’s photography blog – it’s about photography and creativity in general, not about Kodak cameras. If a company is only talking online about its specific products and not looking for ways to connect to the bigger picture, it’s pretty difficult for people to be engaged.
2. They listen to customers, but don’t take any action
If you’re going to listen to your customers, you’d better be ready to do something about what you hear. Southwest Airlines had a blog post stating the airline was considering assigned seating. Tons of customer comments showed a lack of support for the idea, which solidified the open-seating arrangement.
3. Only IT gurus can change the Web site
Customers expect interaction. Content creation is key to social media success, and every company should have a Web site with a content management system that allows for quick, easy content creation—by anyone.
4. They’re not framing risk accurately
The risk of social media is not abated by not participating. And really, while there have certainly been some hiccups along the way, social media has yet to be the undoing of any company.
5. Their internal culture isn’t aligned for social media success
The customer should be at the core of the brand—not your employees’ concern with what’s in or out of their job description. If that’s the case, that’s not a culture that’s likely to build trust and advocacy for your brand.
Effective social media strategies that have humanized organizations and allowed them to build better relationships with customers. But time and again, companies are either rejecting social media or participating in a way that defeats the purpose.
Source: Ragan.com
Enjoy 2008 rates in the
2010 Visitors Guide!
We are excited to kick-off the 2010 Aurora Area Visitors Guide! We know times are tough, but advertising and targeted marketing is essential in keeping your customers coming to your door. To help you promote your business without breaking the bank, we are still offering 2008 rates! This award-winning publication is distributed to thousands of distribution channels including (but not limited to):
- Southern Illinois
- The St. Louis area
- Southern Wisconsin
- Rosemont, Oak Park, Evanston & more!
- Downtown Chicago hot spots like the East Bank Club, Presidential Towers, Fox & Obell, Lake Point Towers, Rock ‘n’ Roll McDonald’s and more!!
- High-traffic Visitor kiosks across Illinois and the Indiana Toll road
- International & domestic operators
- 500 New Resident Greeter Packets per month (on average)
- Trade shows
And more!
With an average of 400,000 hits per month on enjoyaurora.com, your business will be exposed to an ever-growing audience. We also use the Visitors Guide as fulfillment for our 5.5 million annual inquires. This award-winning publication is distributed all-year long with an approximate readership of 175,000 to your target audience.
For more information on how to get your message across to the right audience, contact Laurie DiBerardino, director of PR & Marketing.
Travel cost-cutting the new norm
Invoking the current business travel buzz phrase, prepare for the “new normal,” says Charles Petruccelli, the president of the "More information about American Express Company" American Express Global Travel Services division, which managed $29.1 billion in worldwide corporate travel sales last year.
The business travel culture is evolving into a new model, Mr. Petruccelli and most other experts in the industry say, in a recent article in The New York Times.
Right now, we are experiencing a burst of pent-up demand for business travel, Mr. Petruccelli said. That demand, which does not yet reflect a significant economic recovery, is colliding with the realities of a shrunken air travel system and a strict clampdown on corporate spending in the last 18 months.
After all that time making severe cuts, companies are more firmly in charge of enforcing travel policy than ever.
Increasingly, business travel will need to be justified in terms of its effect on the bottom line. Meanwhile, there will be more dependence on teleconferencing and other technologies to replace, or at least supplement, some routine travel.
American Express, for example, is now developing a service that will weigh myriad corporate options and requirements, and signal during the trip booking process when teleconferencing may be a better choice than getting on an airplane.
Still, perhaps by the second half of next year, overall business travel spending will necessarily begin growing again, he said. Companies “will want maximum efficiency out of the traveler,” Mr. Petruccelli said. “Any solution that allows you to have access, to be able to work better while you’re traveling, is going to be very important.”
Source: The New York Times
Shop the night away at Midnight Madness and sleep the day away at our hotels!
Comfort Suites Aurora
Shop-A-Thon Package at Chicago Premium Outlets
120 Big name outlets in "store" for you!
Find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Coach, Elie Tahari, Gap Outlet, Giorgio Armani, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Kenneth Cole, Lacoste, Nike, Polo Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sony, Theory and more.
- One night's lodging for two in a Standard Suite
- Free Chicago Premium Outlet VIP coupon book (hundreds of dollars of savings)
- $25 gas card to help transport all those packages home
- $25 gift card to Chicago Premium Outlets
- Free deluxe Savory Starts Hot Breakfast
- Shoppers Survival Kit
- Whirlpool and hot-tub suites available at additional charge
*Call for pricing.
Hampton Inn & Suites Aurora
Shopping Spree Package
- One night's lodging in a standard room (maximum occupancy five people)
- Use of our indoor water facility including separate kiddie pool with water features and a 2,200-gallon hot tub
- $25 gas card
- $50 gift certificate to Chicago Premium Outlets
- Complimentary Chicago Premium Outlets VIP Coupon Book valued at hundreds of dollars of additional savings at participating stores
- Shopping Kit filled with valuable coupons, discounts, maps, snacks & water
- New "On the House" breakfast that includes hot breakfast items
*Call for picing.
Super 8 Motel Aurora/Naperville
Black Friday Shopping Package!
- Super 8 Motel would like to offer 20%off for Thursday and Friday
- 1pm check out
Best Western Timber Creek Inn & Suites and Convention Center
Shop & Stay Black Friday Package!
Check in after Thanksgiving hussle and bussle are gone and relax until the shopping begins. Take our Free shuttle to the Premium Outlet Mall at Midnight and shop the night away- afterwards come back and rest up before heading home with a late checkout of 3pm! Call for pricing and ask about your Premium Outlet Mall Gift Certificate!
Baymont Inn & Suites
Shop In Style Package
- One nights lodging for two (standard room)
- $30 gift card for Chicago Premium Outlets
- VIP Coupon Book for additional savings at Chicago Premium Outlets
- $50 certificate for Walter Paytons Roundhouse
- Second Night at a discounted rate
- Valid from 1/1/09-3/31/09 $109.00 + tax
- Valid from 4/1/09-10/31/09 $119.00 + tax
- Valid from 11/1/09-12/31/09 $109.00 + tax
book online and enter promotional rate code L23
Staybridge Suites
Ask for the AURORA VISITORS GUIDE rate as it is 25%
off our reg. rates.
- Complimentary Hot Breakfast buffet included
- Late check out-2pm
Candlewood Suites
BLACK FRIDAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AND THE HOLIDAYS ARE ON THE BRAIN
IS YOUR HOUSE CROWDED?
NEED A PLACE FOR THE FAMILY?
CANDLEWOOD SUITES AURORA-NAPERVILLE IS OFFERING A GREAT SPECIAL FOR THE
HOLIDAYS. The hotel is conveniently located off of I-88 and Orchard Road
Call us at 630-907-9977 or e-mail thill@candlewoodaurora.com to make a
reservation today. If you mention this flyer, we will make your reservation
for $59.99 a night or price match any of our competitors
BOOK 3 NIGHTS AND RECEIVE THE 4th NIGHT FREE!!!!
Hampton Inn & Suites - Aurora
- One nights stay in a standard room up to 5 people
- Use of the pool, whirlpool, and kiddy pool
- One Shopping Survival Kit
- One $50.00 Certificate to Premium Outlet Mall
- One $25.00 Gas Card
- Breakfast at the hotel the following morning
Prices starting as low as $159.00. Must make reservations at least 72 hours in advance.