links
The following are a few links to excellent resources for downtown development, tourism, marketing, and branding. If you know of others we should add to the list, let us know.
• Travel Industry Association of America
TIA is the national organization for the travel industry in America. TIA offers a number of incredible research reports and information for anyone working in the travel industry.
• See America.org
This is the premiere website, developed and managed by TIA, to promote the U.S. as a world-class destination. Check it out.
• Dean Runyan Associates - travel research, reports
Dean Runyan Associates provides travel, tourism, attractions, and recreation research as well as resource management for DMO’s, states and regions throughout North America.
• Smith Travel Research
Another great resource for travel research and data – particularly emerging trends. A great compliment to TIA’s research reports.
• National Trust Main Street Program
One the best resources for downtowns. The site offers ideas, case histories, and how-they-did-it examples.
• Downtown Research & Development Center
For anyone working on community or downtown development, it’s worth the small price to subscribe to the “Downtown Idea Exchange” and “Downtown Promotion Reporter.” But if you don’t have a budget, sign up for the free Downtown Digest e-newsletter. There are also a number of terrific books available from DRDC.
• Fran & Bill Lytle, consumer bahaviorists, brand strategists
If you want to know what it takes to attract a particular group to your town or attraction, Fran & Bill can take you inside the mind – what it takes to “close the sale” – particularly with women, who account for nearly 70% of all travel spending.
• Patricia Jensen does some incredible mural work
Patricia is an incredible mural artist, living in Eastern Washington State, who has an enormous range of mural talent. Her work is a “good deal” as well, if you have a limited mural budget. Send her an email for information.
• The Association of Travel Marketing Executives
ATME is a great resource for flash news and previews of upcoming national conferences and events.
• The Conference Board
The Conference Board is the home of the popular consumer confidence index used to measure the pulse of the consuming public in America.
Destination University
Destination University is the online training library created by The Schallert Group, Inc. It is designed for busy independent business owners who want to receive cutting-edge business assistance, without having to spend their valuable time and money traveling away from their businesses. Jon Schallert has developed these online seminars specifically for owners wanting to learn his proprietary principles that allow a business to become a “Consumer Destination.”
• International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators
ISTTE is dedicated to improving the quality of education and research in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries and is a good source for research papers.
• The Travel and Tourism Research Association
TTRA is the established collegial association for travel and tourism researchers and marketers. Its Travel Research Journal is a good resource.
• Information on obtaining a passport
This is a good link for all DMO’s to have on hand to help visitors with their travel planning efforts – particularly in the confusing arena of getting a passport.
