Tourism Winnipeg

2016-2018 | A Master Tourism Plan for Winnipeg 19 to stay. These publications will also be valuable tools for frontline staff and available for distribution to visitors by stakeholders. » Website Development Strong creative design with functional navigation is directly linked to a website's ability to communicate the value proposition and positioning of a brand. The website should be engaging, provide the most current information and align with all other marketing materials to ensure visitors have a reliable source for their travel decisions. A responsive design is key for allowing users to have a seamless experience across all devices. Tourism Winnipeg's website, www.tourismwinnipeg.com, is its primary marketing tool and call-to-action for market-specific activities. Tourism Winnipeg will continue to enhance its web strategy to attract and increase engagement. The easy-to-navigate website has been optimized for responsive design and provides searchable, experiential activities that will motivate travel to Winnipeg. The website incorporates search engine optimization, search engine marketing, an online hotel reservation system with links to stakeholders and strategic partnership opportunities. Development of foreign language capabilities will also be included in the strategy. » Social Media Marketing Social media platforms have transformed how people share experiences with each other. Tourism marketers are responding with increasingly sophisticated social marketing strategies as consumers seek real-time information and engage with their favourite brands online. Studies show that there is a direct correlation between consumer reviews and purchase decisions. Engaging people with shareable content and providing superior online customer service is key to the success of social media marketing. Tourism Winnipeg will collaborate with stakeholders to expand social media activities. This strategy will introduce new platforms to increase brand awareness for Winnipeg, while building a loyal and growing fan base. Tourism Winnipeg will also increase engagement by providing interesting and current information that promotes Winnipeg's diverse range of tourism experiences. » Blogs A blog is a regularly updated website or web page that is written in an informal or conversational style that contains a writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations and opinions. It is a form of social media meant to garner niche interest followers that form an online community of like-minded individuals. Tourism Winnipeg launched Only in the Peg blog to showcase what to see and do in Winnipeg and PegCityGrub.com food blog to showcase the best of Winnipeg's food scene in order to generate interest and online conversations. Tourism Winnipeg will promote and distribute content from the blog in order to grow the fan base and number of followers. Tourism Winnipeg will also increase engagement with travel and food bloggers in order to maximize its effectiveness for a greater reach and increased online conversations. ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL MARKETING Effective tourism advertising and marketing promotions should inspire as well as inform by appealing to the emotions relative to having enjoyable and memorable experiences. It uses great design and compelling storytelling to deliver key messages that influence visitor attitudes and persuade customers to purchase a destination or product. » Marketing Communications A mix of traditional and digital marketing such as print, radio, television, online search, social media, website and search engine optimization through Google + increases the tourism economy by converting leads into visitors. Tourism Winnipeg will develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that will complement traditional advertising and publications. Google AdWord advertising, online coupons, contesting, display ads and co-operative marketing initiatives will garner attention, increase engagement and motivate consumers to visit Winnipeg. Tourism Winnipeg will also distribute market-specific e-newsletters to keep Winnipeg top-of-mind for the leisure, meetings and conventions, travel trade and travel media markets. » Traditional and Digital Advertising Traditional advertising (television, radio, print) has the power to boost web traffic and spur online purchasing as shown in studies by Marketing Evolution. Traditional advertising, when used as part of an integrated, multichannel marketing strategy, can raise brand awareness and reinforce the marketing message that prompts consumers to take action. Content marketing is the marketing and business of creating and distributing relevant and valuable information to attract, acquire and engage target audiences. Content marketing builds brand ambassadors, saves time and by sharing curated content amplifies messages by reaching third-party audiences. Tourism Winnipeg will develop an integrated meetings and conventions, Bring It Home and leisure ad campaigns to increase visitation through traditional and social media channels. The campaigns will position Winnipeg as an ideal meeting and convention or leisure travel destination. Tourism Winnipeg will incorporate partnership opportunities for industry collaboration and participation. » Publications One of the best forms of promotion for the tourism industry continues to be well-designed print collateral that is strategically distributed to visitors. Stunning imagery and impactful descriptions have the capacity to motivate travel and increase visitation. Tourism Winnipeg will produce and disseminate relevant market collateral to motivate travel to the city and extend visitations by positioning Winnipeg as a desirable tourist destination. The Winnipeg Visitor's Guide, Events Guides, maps of Winnipeg as well as brochures such as The Loop, Tours Brochure, Factoids and a lure brochure provide essential information on what to see and where

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