Driftscape News  & Blogs

Don't let your visitor engagement end when your office closes. Learn how BIAs and DMOs are using self guided digital tours and scavenger hunts to drive foot traffic and support local businesses 24/7—all without adding a single person to the payroll.

Tired of outdated paper maps? Digital tourism requires the ultimate playbook for launching a successful tour guide app. From "must-have" features like offline maps and gamification to real-world lessons from organizations like Downtown Carleton Place BIA and Bruce County, this guide covers it all. Learn how to avoid "content fatigue," drive foot traffic to local businesses, and use digital storytelling to turn your destination into a must-visit, immersive travel experience fo

What is the true tours meaning for your BIA or DMO? This post breaks down the critical differences between guided, self-guided, and audio tours. Learn why digital-first experiences are helping the Downtown Carleton Place BIA and the Town of Riverview reach thousands of visitors without increasing staff hours. We explore the ROI of gamification, how to choose the right format for your community, and why 24/7 accessibility is the new gold standard for local tourism engagement.

Stop losing visitors at stop three. This guide breaks down how to design a self guided walking tour that people actually finish. From the "Breadcrumb" storytelling method to the gamification secrets used by the Downtown Carleton Place BIA, learn how to turn a simple walk into an immersive travel experience that drives foot traffic and supports local businesses.

Think you need a huge budget and a fleet of guides to offer a world-class tour? Think again. We’re breaking down exactly what is a self guided tour and how BIAs and DMOs are using digital tools like Driftscape to save thousands on print costs while driving massive visitor engagement. From scavenger hunts by the Downtown Carleton Place BIA to audio tours at the Michigan Heroes Museum, learn how to turn your town's stories into a 24/7 visitor experience.

Tired of seeing your tourism budget end up in the recycling bin? Digital expert Andrew shares the essential pros and cons of shifting to a self-guided tour model. Learn how BIAs and museums are using cultural tourism and heritage tours to engage visitors 24/7 while collecting the data needed to prove ROI. Includes a 5-step launch checklist and real-world success stories to help you transition from static paper maps to an immersive travel experience.

Ever wonder how to turn a simple stroll through town into an immersive adventure? Here's the playbook on self-guided tours: what they are, why they beat paper maps, and how real towns like Carleton Place are using them to see massive increases in engagement. Learn the tactical steps to launch your own digital tour and see how interactive storytelling can support your local businesses without breaking the budget.

Don't let the January slump quiet your streets. Learn how to design a winter walking tour app experience that locals actually use. By combining "warm-up" points, audio storytelling, and digital rewards, you can transform your downtown into an immersive winter destination that supports local businesses even in the coldest months.

Stop losing visitors when your doors close! Andrew explains how an audio tour guide app acts as a 24/7 digital concierge for BIAs and DMOs. Discover how towns like Riverview and Sussex use gamification and audio storytelling to drive foot traffic to local businesses and engage thousands of visitors without increasing staff workload. Learn the secret to scaling your destination's stories and saving thousands in print costs today.

A self-guided tour doesn't need a huge team or budget. Learn how to launch a professional, engaging mobile tour in just seven days by following a quick-start checklist. We'll show small teams and tourism marketers how to curate content, assemble media, map points of interest, and launch a successful tour that drives foot traffic and engagement. You can use simple gamification, like contests and prizes, to boost participation.

The winter season is a prime opportunity to launch a self-guided driving tour, turning scenic routes into high-engagement adventures. This how-to guide shows DMOs and tourism managers how to curate safety-conscious, interactive itineraries (like holiday light tours) using digital check-ins and gamified rewards. This strategy not only supports local businesses during the off-season but also provides invaluable visitor data on travel patterns.

It's a crisp autumn day, and visitors want to get out and explore, but a staffed event is too much work. Learn how an audio guide app can help you create a low-cost, high-impact self-guided cycling tour. This guide shows you how to capture stories with your phone, map your route, and promote the tour to make it an unforgettable seasonal adventure.

Looking to attract more visitors this Halloween? This guide shows how to boost tourism this spooky season by using a self-guided tour app. Get 20 creative ideas for spooky tours and scavenger hunts that engage both locals and visitors, while also supporting local businesses and generating valuable buzz.

Looking to create a spooky Halloween experience? This guide shows how a walking tour audio app is the perfect low-cost solution for a self-guided haunted tour. Learn how to transform your community's spooky folklore into an engaging, self-guided adventure that drives visitor engagement and provides valuable data.

Looking to attract more visitors this Halloween? This guide shows how to boost tourism this spooky season by using a self-guided tour app. Get 20 creative ideas for spooky tours and scavenger hunts that engage both locals and visitors, while also supporting local businesses and generating valuable buzz.

Fall is the perfect time for a heritage walk! Learn how a digital app for heritage sites can help you create a seasonal self-guided tour that drives visitor engagement and supports local businesses. This guide covers everything from mapping your route to adding scavenger hunt elements and using a mobile tour platform to bring history to life.

Ever felt like creating an amazing self-guided tour means you need a massive budget and a dedicated tech team? As a tourism pro, I know the drill: tight resources, endless tasks, and the pressure to engage visitors effectively. It often feels like you need some secret wizardry to bring your local stories to life, especially when you're managing a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), a Business Improvement Area (BIA), or a cultural attraction. (Spoiler alert: You absolute

Ever felt that surge of pride when someone truly "gets" your town? As a BIA manager, chamber director, or tourism coordinator, you know the unique stories, hidden gems, and vibrant businesses that make your community special. But how do you share that magic beyond official guides and brochures, especially when resources are tight and a dedicated tech team feels like a pipe dream? (Believe me, I hear you!) It's all about delivering an amazing immersive travel experience.

Ever lost signal right when you needed it most? With Driftscape’s offline mode, visitors can explore tours, trails, and points of interest—even without Wi-Fi. From scenic hikes to heritage sites, offline maps make your destination more accessible, anywhere. Perfect for BIAs, museums, and rural tourism pros looking to stay connected with travelers—no signal required. Learn how to store maps offline and bring your stories to life, off the grid.

See how the Downtown Carleton Place BIA turned a plaque unveiling into a viral scavenger hunt. Learn how a self guided tour can drive foot traffic and engagement for your DMO or BIA.