How to Attract Tourists

Here are four simple strategies your tourism business can consider to bolster your appeal overseas.

1. Think eco-tourism/adventure travel

Canada is emerging as a global destination for eco-tourism and adventure travel. The country is a natural draw for international visitors seeking authentic wilderness, adventure and cultural experiences.

Canada has a reputation as an uncrowded and unspoiled holiday destination with a wide diversity of wildlife. Its natural environment also appeals to visitors seeking an adrenaline rush with such activities as windsurfing, white water kayaking, skiing and rock climbing.

Consider how you can take advantage of the eco-tourism and adventure travel opportunities in your area. Even if your business is urban based, you can appeal to foreign visitors simply by helping them find local eco-tourism activities

2. Give your website global reach

You can benefit from customizing your website to your target market with simple visual aids such as country flags.

Showing your prices in local currency can help you connect with international visitors and increase their ability to compare prices. In the end, you want to increase user confidence and comfort.

As well, it's important to provide international travelers with basic information on Canada, such as weather, currency, local customs and cuisine

3. Make your business multi-seasonal

Any tourism operator today knows that building an all-season capacity into your business drives growth and revenues. And this is particularly important for attracting international visitors.

If you're looking for ways to make your business an all-season affair, the first step is to assess the potential year-round activities in your area. Are there cultural activities, such as music festivals, that would attract visitors? Are there seasonal outdoor activities year round? You might consider adding a new dimension to your tourism business, such as offering spa services in the winter season.

You could also team up with other local tourism businesses to share services and reduce your risk.

4. Consider exhibiting at tradeshows

It's a marketing rule of thumb: Person-to-person contact can generate sales. And that's precisely what attracts thousands of tourism businesses and travelers to international tradeshows.

If you're shopping around for a tradeshow to exhibit your business, ensure that you choose one that gives you the best exposure and avoid untested venues. As well, prior to the show, be sure that your trade show team is properly trained to sell your business.

There are numerous shows, associations and government organizations that can help you in the international arena, and here are just a few:

The Canadian Tourism Commission, a private/public partnership dedicated to sustaining a viable and profitable tourism industry, promotes Canada’s extraordinary experiences in 12 countries around the world: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the UK and the US.

Rendez-vous Canada is Canada's premier annual international tourism industry marketplace, bringing together selected international buyers and media to meet invited suppliers of Canadian tourism products, services and information.

Canada’s West Marketplace is a tourism trade show in Western Canada that brings together BC and Alberta tourism suppliers with International tourism buyers in one location. It has an excellent track record, allowing tourism suppliers the opportunity to showcase their products to key decision makers from Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America.