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Several things are crucial. Who do we target? What do we promote? What's the best way of reaching people? What is the best time to send tweets, emails and other marketing pieces? Have we waited too long to do all these things?
"This is not a political event for us," says Jayne Scarborough, executive director of the Olde English District, which does tourism marketing for York, Chester, Lancaster and five other nearby counties.
"This is a tourism event, we have to treat it that way. Who would ignore thousands of guests?" she said.
Historically, South Carolina has not treated its guests, or even its residents, well, says Simon Hudson, director of the South Carolina Center for Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development*.
The awareness of what South Carolina has to offer is low among residents and potential visitors, he said. Media attention on the state is often negative and "we don't do enough to counter that."
To do that, "you've got to spend money and we don't do that," he said, adding there is a lack of understanding on return on investment with tourism, which is at least 10 to 1, or $10 in revenue for every dollar invested.
Local tourism officials did not budget funds specifically for convention marketing. Any funds raised will come from private sources or from existing budgets, Scarborough said.
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* Speaking of not spending money, Hudson's SC Tourism Blog is a free Blogger template.
Will Charlotte Democratic Convention Help S.C.?
What is South Carolina's slice of the party pie? State and regional tourism officials, plus volunteers, are developing strategies to lure some of the convention throng south of the border.Several things are crucial. Who do we target? What do we promote? What's the best way of reaching people? What is the best time to send tweets, emails and other marketing pieces? Have we waited too long to do all these things?
"This is not a political event for us," says Jayne Scarborough, executive director of the Olde English District, which does tourism marketing for York, Chester, Lancaster and five other nearby counties.
"This is a tourism event, we have to treat it that way. Who would ignore thousands of guests?" she said.
Historically, South Carolina has not treated its guests, or even its residents, well, says Simon Hudson, director of the South Carolina Center for Economic Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development*.
The awareness of what South Carolina has to offer is low among residents and potential visitors, he said. Media attention on the state is often negative and "we don't do enough to counter that."
To do that, "you've got to spend money and we don't do that," he said, adding there is a lack of understanding on return on investment with tourism, which is at least 10 to 1, or $10 in revenue for every dollar invested.
Local tourism officials did not budget funds specifically for convention marketing. Any funds raised will come from private sources or from existing budgets, Scarborough said.
_________________________
* Speaking of not spending money, Hudson's SC Tourism Blog is a free Blogger template.
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