Tourism Marketing driven by Digital

BD:  'Before Digital', planning a vacation trip involved a visit to a Travel Agent's Office.  You picked up travel brochures for various destinations you were interested in.  Once home you poured over brochures featuring pretty pictures and destination/property details.  You sweated the fine print to minimize the later surprises once the 'add-on' costs were added to the displayed price.  If fortunate, you talked to friends and work colleagues to hear what they had to say about their experience in the destination you wanted to go.  Third-party endorsements have always had a big impact on selection a vacation destination.  To book the trip, you called the Travel Agent and gave them your credit card number.

Fast forward:  Destinations selected, trips booked and paid for online with airlines, hotels and tour companies. This chart shows this reality:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris M Morales
MarCommTO

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Wakey, wakey...time to get Running

I had a heck of a time getting motivated to go running last weekend.  It may have had something to do with the weather...we had a big snow dump in Toronto and the sidewalks and streets were sloppy. A Reggae Marathon hangover also could have contributed.  The bottom line was that until I went to my trusty source of running motivation and inspiration, Gibson's Daily Run Quotes I wasn't going running.   The first two reminded me of why I keep running;  the third one got me out the door

"Don't try to rush progress. Remember– a step forward, no matter how small, is a step in the right direction. Keep believing."

-Kara Goucher, two-time Olympian & elite marathoner

"Track and field is unique also in that you can be a 'winner' every time you compete. Not everyone wins the race, but you can improve your performance each time you perform, and when the timer's stopwatch shows you've run faster than ever before you're a 'winner' regardless of what position you finished in the race. This is a little victory. A succession of little victories is what builds a champion.

I know that every athlete I coach is not a world-class champion, but every athlete can demonstrate the 'right stuff,' that is, the character traits and training attitudes that lead to consistent improvement. If you are disciplined, if you show determination, if you persevere, if you're willing to go that extra mile—to try again—you will become the track-and-field athlete you want to be. And nothing beats getting where you want to go—regardless of how fast you got there."
-Jason-Lamont Jackson, Assistant Coach of Women's Track and Field at Seton Hall University

"You don't have to finish a marathon to be a runner. There are lots of great runners who never run 26.2 miles. A runner is someone who runs; it's that simple—and that grand. Be that someone. Be yourself. Be your own runner, whether the challenge is four times around the junior high school track or qualifying and running in the Boston Marathon."
-Amby Burfoot, Runner's World Complete Book of Running

These and other motivational and inspirational running quotes can be found on their Facebook page, Gibson's Daily Running Quotes.  

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Trends in the Marketing Mix

Digital Marketing encompasses eMail, Social Media, Content and SEO.  Here are some trends Brands are incorporating into their marketing mix:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chris M Morales
MarCommTO

chris.morales@bell.net

647 393 3855

Linkedin:  Chris M Morales 

Guide to Runners Christmas Presents

As a runner I prefer to buy my own running gear so I get excited about running store Gift Certificates (Hint, hint :)).  Specifically I'll be looking for a second pair of running shoes to alternate with my current pair.  Something I can beat up over the winter months.  I may also look out for another pair of long running tights if I see something on sale at our local outlet running sale. Other than that though I have everything I need.  However in the interest of helping my fellow runners I've put this list together of 10 gift items that every runner would be pleased to receive this Christmas:

1. Timex Ironman Running Watch.  The 'Big Face' one.  My first Timex running watch really took a licking...over 20 years worth and only got 'retired' last year when I got a very nice new Timex.
2. Running Toque.  A runner in northern winter climates can never have enough running toques. Fleece ones in solid black please...Black is the Old/New Black!  It goes with everything.
3. Running Shell.  I prefer solid colours and with lots of 360 degree reflection since I mostly run pre-dawn and need maximum visibility.
4. Running socks.  Again, a runner can't have enough pairs.  I prefer low cut running socks that come up to my ankles but this is a personal preference.
5. Road ID.  This should be top-of-the list for all runners.  I don't carry ID when I go running. Dumb!  Maybe I'll get Road ID before Christmas...
6. Water bottle belt.  I especially like the ones with the holders for smaller bottles.  On longer runs I used to use a Camelback system but that is truly overkill for my shorter runs now.
7. Gift Certificates to a Running Store.  Oh, did I mention that already...can't go wrong here.
8. Paid up Race Registration.  This one involves your spouse of course but if I received a paid registration for a 2015 race I'm eager to run in well that would be special.
9. Running Magazine subscription.  Getting a running magazine monthly is a look-forward-to gift.  There are some fine Canadian running magazines and the big ones from the US to choose from.  But act now...
10. Drying rack.  Something compact and designed specifically for running.  With lots or space to lay out my wet gear versus just hanging.  Preferably in a non-rust metal and definitely NOT wood.  

That should make shopping for your runner simple this Christmas.  You can thank me later.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy