Motorcoach & International Visitors
Economic Impact
If you have been out and about this Summer & Fall season there is no doubt that you have noticed the abundance of motorcoaches traveling our streets and highways, and have heard the multitude of languages spoken by our visitors.
According to the American Bus Association, motorcoach travel brought 1.9 billion into Maine's economy in 2009, and 13 billion for New England.
Discover New England reports international travelers brought 1.6 billion dollars into the New England's economy in 2010. According to the U.S. Travel Association, international visits to the U.S. are expected to increase 30% by 2014.
international market
Int'l "How To" - Nov. 1
Discover New England (DNE) is the official tourism organization representing the New England region to the overseas markets. Particular attention is paid on our core markets: United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland, France, and Italy.
On November 1 - 11am - 12noon, DNE will host a COMPLIMENTARY WEBINAR on how to work with the international market.
Click here to register for November 1.
About the International Market & Why...
In addition, each year, at the Discover New England Summit, DNE brings approximately 75 International Tour Operators to New England to meet one-on-one with industry professionals like yourself.
This event is of great value and a "must attend" if you want to work with the international market.
Click here to register for the DNE Summit in Boston
Motorcoach Market (Group Travel)
Motorcoach "How To"
Tour operators who bring motorcoach tours to Maine are looking for a Maine EXPERIENCE - do you have something special to share with them? A tour, class, or sampling of your product that provide them with a unique Maine experience? If so...they would love to package your business with their overnights and tour. Contact Lynn Tillotson to assist you with your next steps.
Member businesses encouraged to work with the motorcoach market:
- Hotels - Resorts - Inns - Attractions - Restaurants
The Convention & Visitors Bureau has put together some basic information on how to work with the Motorcoach Market and their expectations -
We have provided you with a:
1. Glossary of Terms
2. What is a Receptive Operator & How do they Operate
3. Tips on Working with the Motorcoach Industry
Click Here and view the navigation buttons on the page.
Travel Shows - CD Rom - Website
Reaching Tour Operators
The CVB attends several conferences throughout the year (NTA, ABA, Discover New England, and Pow Wow) promoting the Greater Portland Region and Maine as a viable destination for motorcoach and international markets.
Combined we speak one-on-one with approximately 200-250 domestic and international tour operators. Tour operators receive a CD including a video on the area, high resolution images, itinerary ideas, and a link to our Travel Trade section of VisitPortland.com, allowing them to peruse all the businesses that wish to work with these two lucrative markets.
Members participating with a listing under the travel trade section of VisitPortland.com receive:
- Representation via the CD rom at each of the 4 shows ($13,000 value)
- Year round representation on the Travel Trade section of VisitPortland.com viewed by a very targeted audience (YTD 2011: 7,300 visits)
- 4-6 large photos on your listing page allowing you to specifically show group travel images
- 200 words of text speaking directly to the tour operators
- "Quick Guide Grid" allowing you to specify rates, services, and specials for these markets
- Links to your videos hosted on YouTube
Rates:
$265.00/yr
Non-profit rate $95.00/yr
Contact Lynn Tillotson
Web Statistics
Group Travel and Int'l Statistics
All statistics are rounded up for ease of reading...
www.VisitPortland.com
YTD 2011*
316,000 Visitors (Domestic & Int'l)
27,000 International Visitors
7,300 Group Travel Visitors
* Using 2011 data over 2010 full year data due to launch of new website resulting in a greater amount of traffic.
www.VisitMaine.com
Sept. 2010 - Oct. 2011
2.5 million Visitors (Domestic & Int'l)
374,000 International Visitors
11,000 Group Travel Visitors
www.DiscoverNewEngland.org
2010 - International Visitors - 58,000
2011 YTD - International Visitors - 145,000
This is a direct result of SEO implementation on the site as well as strong representation in UK & Germany and an increase in interest from France & Italy.
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