360DigitalInfluence

One of the biggest challenges facing a country vying for foreign tourism dollars is giving prospective tourists a good sense of what the country is all about, enticing them choose your destination over another.

There are four relatively inexpensive ways to give people a taste of your culture, in the comfort of their own home.  Here are a few ideas for thought …

1. Pictures tell a thousand words. If you’re a destination known for its beautiful sunsets, pristine beaches or unique architecture, why not start a group on Flickr?  I’m a huge fan of Barcelona, and particularly Gaudi’s work.  This Flickr group has 575 members, with more than 3,200 photos of Gaudi’s work.  There’s no reason why a country’s tourism board can’t start a group and invite people to post their vacation photos (as Albania appears to have done)
2. A way to a tourist’s heart is through their stomach. I read today on the New York Times blog about a pop-up dinner club making its way around the US, featuring native food from Buenos Aires chefs Diego Felix and Sanra Ritten.   My colleague, Eileen, posted about the power of food in destination marketing.
3. Music is a universal language. Why not work with a licensing company to create a branded CD - featuring music from your country - that can be sold or given away at restaurants, bars and clothing stores?  Not only will the music get people in the mood, but the CD case is a great billboard for you to communicate specific information about your country.
4. One influential voice can tell your story to many followers. Ogilvy PR has executed a number of successful familiarization (”fam” for short) trips with highly influential bloggers.  For the cost of their trip, we can reach many of their readers who turn to these bloggers for vacation advice.

Any other ideas for cost-effective ways to bring the spirit of a destination to your potential visitors?