THE PATH TO DISTRIBUTION Tourism Questionnaire
STAGE 1 - Destination AwarenessAll destinations compete for awareness in tourism markets. It is the collective voice of tourism operators and destination marketers that create the energy & motivation for visitors to commit to our region.
This section identifies the role that you are currently playing in contributing to destination awareness for The Sapphire Coast.
1. Are you a member of a tourism organisation?
ATEC Australian Tourism Export Council Industry Marketing Association
Local Visitor Centre Regional Tourist Organisation
Other
2. Have you participated in a joint marketing campaign with any of thefollowing organisations?
Sapphire Coast Tourism Local Visitor Centre Tourism Association
None of the Above
3. Do you share stories, product updates and event information with yourtourism marketing organisations?
Tourism Australia
Destination NSW
Industry Association
Sapphire Coast Tourism
Local Visitor Centre
None
Was not aware of this opportunity
4. Do you write blog posts to encourage visitation to the region and yourbusiness?
Yes No
Other
5. Do you send e-newsletters to encourage visitation to the region and yourbusiness?
Yes No
6. Do you use social media channels to share destination information?
Yes No
I'm interested and need help
7. Have you ever written a media or PR release?
Yes No
I'm interested and need help
8. Has your business hosted media and journalists, resulting in coverage forthe region?
Yes No
I'm interested and need help
9. Has your business supported a tourism industry 'famil' to host travel agentsor tourism media?
Yes No I'm interested
STAGE 2 - Finding Your Product OnlineWhen a travel consumer is motivated to visit the Sapphire Coast, it's important that they can find
you and experience your business online.
This section explores what online distribution channels you are currently using.
10. Where will potential customers find your business online. Tick all relevantareas.
My website
Local Visitor Centre website (Bookeasy)
Destination websites (Sapphire Coast Tourism, Tourism Australia,Visit NSW)
Meta Search Sites (GoogleTravel, TripAdvisor, YahooTravel)
Online Travel Agents (OTA's)
Tourism Trade (Wholesalers, Inbound Tour Operators)
Other
11. How do you take best advantage of Google services?
Places Listing Adwords Geo-targeting Re-marketing
Google Plus Alerts Analytics
12. Have you ever attended an online distribution workshop?
Yes No I'm interested
13. Do you have an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing?
Yes I update it regularly It's out of date
No What is it?
14. Tick which OTA websites currently feature your products
booking.com Expedia Trivago Hotelscombined
Webjet Wotif Viator Agoda
Stayz Airbnb Others None - help!
15. If you are using OTA's, which statement applies to you?
I log in to Expedia and booking.com portals weekly
My listings have achieved a 100% content score with OTA's
My business features in itineraries & packages promoted by OTA's
I am regularly in touch with my OTA distribution partners
I regularly participate in promotional campaigns with OTA's
I've participated in the past with limited results
16. Which sites feature reviews of your business?
Expedia TripAdvisor Viator Google+ Facebook
Others None
17. What is your average review rating:
5 4 3 2 1
18. What is your TripAdvisor ranking?
STAGE 3 - Travel Industry BookingsAn effective tourism marketing strategy touches all distribution channels, both consumer and trade. Travel Agents, Wholesalers and Inbound Tour Operators can reach consumers in broader markets.
This section looks at your current understanding of trade distribution.
19. Are you currently distributing your products through travelpartners? i.e. Travel Agents, Coach Tour Operators, Wholesale etc..
Yes No
If your answer is YES, please proceed to question 24
20. Do you understand the relationship of the travel distribution networkto your business?
Yes No
I'd like more information
21. Do you understand the principles of travel industry commission and why itshould be considered a marketing expense?
Yes No I'd like more information
23. Do you know how to price your product for travel industry distribution?
Yes No I need some help
22. Do you have concise sales terms and conditions with a cancellation policyfor your business?
Yes No I need some help
23. Do you have great images, a unique positioning statement and a cleardescription of your product's customer experience ready to distribute?
Yes No I need some help
24. Do you have a reservation system which can manage accounting and communications needed for travel agent bookings?
NoYesI need more information
If your answer is NO, please proceed to STAGE 4.
25. Which sectors do you currently have commission agreements with?
Local Travel Agents
Domestic Wholesalers
Local Visitor Centre
Online Travel Agents (OTA's)
Coach Tour Companies Inbound Travel Agents
26. Do you maintain price parity for all distribution partners?
NoYesNot sure what this means
27. Do you regularly communicate product changes with your distribution partners?
Yes No
28. Are trade distribution partners considered as part of your advertising strategy?
Yes No
29. Do you track source markets? i.e. Do you know where your customers originate from?
Yes No
30. Which international markets are currently experiencing your product?
STAGE 4: Taking Your Product To MarketTo determine opportunities for Sapphire Coast to partner with you and your business, we need
to know a little more about what makes your business great.
This section looks at your marketing capability in preparation to broaden your reach.
31. Which of the follwoing marketing pillars best suits your business? Tick allrelevant categories.
Arts & Culture Wildlife and Marine
Family Fun
Food & Wine
Adventure
32. Which statement best describes your marketing structure. Tick all relevantresponses.
We have a current business plan We have a marketing budget
We have a Marketing Manager I look after our marketing
We outsource marketing We need help & more time!
33. Does your website have real-time online booking capability?
NoYesI'd like recommendations
34. Is your website content up to date with correct pricing?
Yes No
35. Can your website translate content?
Yes No
36. Which statement best describes your booking procedures. Tick all relevant responses.
We operate a manual booking systemWe reply to all bookings via emailWe provide online vouchers to be presented on arrival We provide pre-arrival guest informationWe encourage follow-up engagement with our business Other
37. Is your business industry accredited?
Yes No
If YES, which programmes is your business recognised by?
38. Have your staff recently undertaken customer service training?
Yes No
39. Do you believe your staff are culturally aware to accommodate international guests?
NoYesWe would like more information
40. Would you like mentoring assistance to learn more about International and Domestic Trade Distribution?
Yes No
Other
Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Questions can be directed to Bernard Whewell, 0418 892478
Please email your completed form to: