Thanksgiving travel this year is projected to exceed 2013 numbers, with an estimated 25 million Americans planning to fly on U.S. airlines throughout the 12-day travel window. Experts like Brian Kelly of ThePointsGuy.com recommend that travelers purchase flight tickets now to secure the best deals. But airlines aren’t the only brands that can benefit from the uptick in Turkey Day travel – now is also a great time for year-round tourist attractions to connect with travelers both on- and offline.
Share travel tips. Finding creative ways to interact with your target audience 365 days a year is crucial for year-round tourist attractions. Even if families can’t squeeze in a visit to their favorite zoo by grandma’s house, they can still benefit from your top five animal-inspired children’s books to take on a flight. And the next time they visit the grandparents, they might just pay you a visit.
Go in for the long haul. Like the busy summer months, Thanksgiving sees a huge spike in highway travel. Reach drivers over the sound waves by sponsoring local traffic and weather reports, and be sure that your brochures are stocked in the area’s major rest stops. If travelers are headed to visit family, they’ll likely be back again in the coming seasons, so offering a year-round snapshot of events (even coupons and discounts) can keep your brand top of mind.
Spread holiday cheer. As consumers’ thoughts quickly move from Thanksgiving to Christmas, light the initial spark of festive cheer by promoting your attraction’s holiday-themed events and offerings. Even something as simple as a geotargeted Facebook post inviting followers to share their favorite holiday traditions can get potential visitors in the spirit – and thinking about how to spend their kids’ school vacations. And be sure to remind followers on social media about your online ticket sales to inspire creative gift giving.
With Thanksgiving almost upon us, and the holiday season right on its heels, these next few weeks are the perfect time for year-round tourist attractions to reach consumers on the move. Offering useful travel advice and holiday inspiration will help brands cut through the chaos to make meaningful connections with consumers that will last into the new year and beyond.