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BEST
OF THE NET
Last updated on 10 February 2009
We work the web a lot, searching for sites to
feature in our newsletter,
on DMOU
and our presentations on Technology and the Internet. For those of us
that are out there a lot, we know that there are a lot of sites that
simply exist without a clear purpose. Zeitgeist highlights the sites
that get it.
From a great raison
d'etre to cutting edge visuals and features, here are some
of our current faves. And, if you've got a site that you believe qualifies
for inclusion here, please e-mail
us.
OTTAWA
ON 
Designing a complete one-stop-shop solution for meeting planners has
been a dilemma for DMO pros since the internet changed the way we all
do business. We've seen interesting tools here and there over the years....but
nothing like Ottawa Tourism's sensational "Meetings Easy"
micro-site. Through "Meetings Easy," planners can request
proposals from suppliers and venues, plan and manage event details and
interface with selected suppliers. Select "Click Here for an Overview"
to witness the breadth of this sensational service. Kudos to Ottawa
Tourism for designing the meetings section of their website not with
their message in mind...but, rather, to meet the needs of the
planner. And, to those that think online meeting planning doesn't work ('cause it hasn't worked for you)? Ottawa Tourism reports over 2600 registered users...and can track an average of 60,000 room nights a year from "Meetings Easy." Damn.
LAS VEGAS
Sure they've got an incredible budget. But that doesn't mean they aren't insanely smart marketers. And the Las Vegas CVA's most recent site upgrade includes the best trip planning tool we've seen. Fun and flashy, the consumer picks dates, accomodations and activities...and then connects the itinerary with friends. Very cool.
GULF SHORES
AL
More of today’s travelers are jumping into cars and onto planes
with little more than the interest to getaway. Roughly one in five plan
their getaways within 48 hours...if at all. So, how does a DMO provide
the information these intrepid tourists need? The Alabama Gulf Coast
CVB solves the problem smartly by dumping the graphics and providing
a version of its website that speeds the consumer to what they need
most...information on vacancies, restaurants, attractions and events.
Period. No pictures. Just data. Perfect for anybody with a web enabled
phone (which is just about everyone these days).
MONTREAL ON
With Broadband penetration at over 90% in America, and with YouTube being one of the most populat sites in the world, the days of saying that video would be "nice to have" in just plain naive. For the DMOs that have joined the video revolution, many of the videos we see are well produced and evocative. But, so many are so hidden that it takes a CSI investigator to find them. Not so with Tourism Montreal's sensational site...as their incredible 2-minute video is the first choice the visitor makes. Overlayed on a stunning, panoramic view of the City is a click box that reads "Montreal In 2 Minutes." And, who doesn't have two minutes in this YouTube world? If the visitor to the site knows the City or doesn't want to take the time, the nav bar beneath the photo provides all the connectivity they need. A great utilization of video...and an even greater understanding of how the mind of the consumer works.
CHARLOTTE NC
While we love the front and center-ness of Tourism Montreal's use of video, we also dig what Charlotte has done with a series of videos that feature the heart and soul of the destination. Utilizing the talents of two online tour guides, the videos examine the cuisine, culture, nightlife, accomodations and more of this spectacular destination. The site also has one of the better nightlife search functions we've seen on any destination site.
INDIANAPOLIS
Podcasts have been part of the 'net's lexicon for a few years, now. And nobody has embraced the opportunity faster and deeper than the Indianapolis CVA with weekly (yeah, weekly)
video-podcasts. Produced completely in-house, the Bureau reports well over
20,000 views each month. And while that’s simply incredible,
it works on a totally other level too...as CVA members love being featured.
And, that builds the kind of goodwill and destinational support DMOs
desperately need in these “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately”
times.
LAFAYETTE
LA
So, a consumer hears that Lafayette is a pretty cool town. With most
DMO websites, that consumer is going to have to dig through a maddening
set of pages on the site to learn whether there is enough stuff to do
to keep them amused throughout the day. Not with Lafayette’s site,
as the Bureau has included an hour by hour timeline of all the things
one can enjoy and be “Cajun for a Day” right on its homepage.
BRANSON
Most destinations offer different experiences from season to season...but
so many offer a “one-season-fits-all” website. The DMO in
Branson offers icons at the top of its homepage for each of the five
seasons (that’s right, Christmas is its own season). Bold, colorful
messaging, great photography and an understanding that just because
most consumers plan their getaway within 30 days of departure...not
everybody does.
MYRTLE BEACH
The recent transition from a corporate template look to a consumer-focused
site is simply breathtaking. Beautiful imagry and easy navigation make
the new site a winner. But, one of our favorite features is actually
a hold-over from the last iteration...and that’s the “Maps” section. When the visitor clicks on links within the "Traveling by Car" section, they are presented with an interactive map that, as they
mouse over, displays driving time and estimated fuel costs for major
cities across the eastern half of the country. Very cool.
PENNSYLVANIA
Where to start? From 2005's way-cool bloggers
to the more recent utilization of regular "joes and jills" offering
up their favorite restaurants, road trips and attractions through the
compelling "playlists," Pennsylvania's
site continues to break new ground. Other features include visitor submitted
videos, a wealth of itinerized road trips and a Package and Coupon section.
The Best State site out there, hands down.
DURHAM
NC
We've been big fans of Durham's website for years. From live chat to
deep content, it has continued to be one of the most comprehensive destination
sites in the world. It's only weakness was on the creative side as the
site failed to convey a visual reason "why" someone would
want to visit. In it's new iteration, they've solved the visual thing
quite nicely, thank you.
LONDONTOWN
It’s not the “official” Visit
London site (which ain’t a bad site either)...and
maybe that’s why we’re so impressed. It doesn’t act
like an “official” site. That’s
because it’s full of killer “Top Ten” lists, restaurant
reviews and recommendations for tours...which is exactly what a potential
visitor is looking for. Even cooler is the use of avatars across the
bottom of each page that lead visitors to the site pages that are “hosted”
by experts in 10 different categories. Emma is the expert on hotels.
Joshua can give you the inside take on the best clubs and pubs. And,
Lucy’s got the whole shopping thing sussed. While most DMOs would
face a political and public relations nightmare posting this kind of
site (or offering this kind of service), it’s what the visitor
wants. And, if we don’t start providing what the customer wants,
the private sector (like Londontown) will be all too happy to oblige.
TOURISM RESEARCH LINKS
While I'm always reticent to make it easier for potential clients to
locate my competitors, this site has so much more that I can't help
myself. Montreal's Rene Waksberg has compiled THE definitive compendium
of Tourism Research Links, filled with lists of upcoming tourism conferences,
government tourism offices, tourism news sources and other travel and
transportation resources. And, yes...a listing of tourism consultants
worldwide.
OUR SPONSOR
HENNEN
PUBLISHING
Midwest Meetings is the only regional publication
to combine a resource guide of comprehensive listings with informational
articles on the Midwest sites that meeting and event planners want to
see. A great publication with sensational shelf-life and reasonable
advertising rates. Hennen Publishing also produces the Arizone Visitors
Guide, Illinois Meetings Destination Guide and the Tempe Visitors
Guide...just to name a few!
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