How Destination Marketers can Inspire Emotion Through Storytelling; the Science Behind a Good Narrative

Author: Meagan McGuire, CDME – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

How many times have you been intrigued by a place based purely on a book or a movie? Anthropologists, along with Ira Glass himself, offer some insights into what makes storytelling so powerful. … Continue reading >How Destination Marketers can Inspire Emotion Through Storytelling; the Science Behind a Good Narrative

Cultivating a Destination’s Band of Brothers

Author: Meagan McGuire, CDME – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

How does a destination marketing organization cultivate community advocates who will stand with us during times like these? I argue in this essay that, when it comes to the hospitality business community, this essential support is something that must be built up over time through an attentive focus on partner services. … Continue reading >Cultivating a Destination’s Band of Brothers

How Louisiana’s Cultural Tradition has Transcended the Pandemic

Author: Meagan McGuire, CDME – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

Louisiana has a rich tradition of gathering. Festivals are important in educating locals and tourists alike on the region’s unique cultural traditions. When it became clear that these gatherings were helping to spread COVID-19, festival organizers and cultural groups reimagined how they could share their culture with the world. … Continue reading >How Louisiana’s Cultural Tradition has Transcended the Pandemic

Tips for Conducting User Experience Research for Tourism Product Development

Author: Cris Kubli – UX Researcher & Cognitive Anthropologist

UX (User Experience) Research is important in the development of new or established tourism products in order to evaluate usability. Experienced UX researcher & Cognitive Anthropologist, Cris Kubli, explains the 5 human components that influence user experience. … Continue reading >Tips for Conducting User Experience Research for Tourism Product Development

Future of Tourism Video Podcast: An Anthropological Perspective on Tourism

Author: David Peacock, Future of Tourism

For tourism professionals, using an anthropological lens can contribute to a better understanding of the many subjects that intersect with tourism, such as the traveler, meeting planners, military reunion planners, tour operators, residents, hospitality proprietors, the policy-makers, and many more. … Continue reading >Future of Tourism Video Podcast: An Anthropological Perspective on Tourism

A Change to Tourism as We Know It; a Review of Skift’s SEE Conference 2020 Keynote Address

Author: Meagan McGuire, CDME – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

Skift Founder and CEO, Dan Holowack, argues in his keynote address at Skift’s SEE Conference 2020, that we must use our power as destination management professionals to change tourism as we know it. … Continue reading >A Change to Tourism as We Know It; a Review of Skift’s SEE Conference 2020 Keynote Address

A Different Perspective on Understanding DMO Value

Authors: David Holder and Tina Valdecanas – Co-Founders, Clarity of Place

Spending and visitation metrics provide only a snapshot of the importance of a DMO’s impact. And that snapshot is largely focused only on the visitor and their interaction with the tourism vertical. Juxtaposed against this limited array is a growing recognition of the importance of a DMO’s work for the entire community. Their efforts toward destination development and branding impact the community beyond the annual number of visitors, lodging tax generated, or number of impressions on an ad. … Continue reading >A Different Perspective on Understanding DMO Value

Collaboration & the “Other”

Author: Meagan McGuire, CDME – Seattle Southside Regional Tourism Authority

Many Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) recognize the importance of local leadership groups working together for a stronger, more coordinated economic development strategy. However, some DMOs might find the current COVID-19 crisis has made collaboration more difficult. Despite the best outward intentions, innate human behavior might be getting in the way. … Continue reading >Collaboration & the “Other”