FARMINGTON — How to use tourist packages and itineraries and create customer experiences that emotionally connect with people will be explored at a workshop Thursday, Nov. 20.
Donna Moreland of the Maine Office of Tourism will be the presenter at the Destination Marketing workshop scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. in North Dining Hall of Olsen Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington.
Tourist packages involve hotels and businesses working together, Arika Galkowski of the Greater Franklin Development Corporation said. Someone staying at a local hotel could be offered an incentive to visit a local store or restaurant, perhaps a discount or a coupon, she said.
Itineraries develop from a plan for a visit and are based on what the area has to offer. If the tourist is interested in museums, a trip involving the Heritage Loop could be suggested. If they’re interested in outdoor activities, a visit around Maine Huts and Trails could be set up, Galkowski said.
Galkowski, who facilitates the Franklin County Tourism Network meetings, said she is developing a list of things from around the area to help Moreland present ideas during the workshop.
A new trend in destination marketing is creating an experience that connects emotionally with the visitor. It is about providing an itinerary or something that will make the person want to come back to the area, she said.
The workshop is sponsored by the Maine Woods Tourism Training Initiative, the Franklin County Tourism Network and the Maine Woods Consortium.
The focus of these groups is to help local tourism businesses. They provide training and stay on top of marketing incentives, she said.
One area the groups are especially looking at is the focus on social media. There are concerns about a lack of its use and learning how individual businesses can start to use it, she said.
The workshop is open to everyone, she said.
Refreshments will be provided. There is a $10 registration fee. For more information or to register, contact Galkowski at 778-5887 or email her at agalkowski@greaterfranklin.com
abryant@sunjournal.com
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