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Tourism Technology Stack: The Tools Modern DMOs Use to Drive Visitation
Stop being a "folder-filler" and start being a digital concierge. Andrew breaks down how a smart tourism technology stack is helping DMOs and BIAs save thousands on print costs while driving massive engagement. Learn from real-world wins like Thunder Bay’s 25,000-view haunted house tour and see how the right digital tools can turn your local gems into a 24/7 immersive travel experience. It's time to work smarter, not harder.

Andrew Applebaum
5 days ago3 min read


Destination Marketing Organization vs. DMO: Is There a Difference?
Stop the acronym confusion! In this guide, Andrew explains why there is no difference between a Destination Marketing Organization and a DMO. Discover how modern tourism boards are shifting toward destination management and using digital tools like Driftscape to drive local growth and engagement.

Andrew Applebaum
Jan 153 min read


Destination Marketing: A Practical 2026 Playbook (Strategies + Examples)
Stop restocking soggy paper brochures! Our 2026 Destination Marketing Playbook shows busy tourism teams how to trade manual tasks for digital tools that work 24/7. From Riverview’s "Business Bee" hunt to Crescent Heights BIA saving thousands in print costs, we explore real examples of how small towns are using gamification and self-guided tours to drive foot traffic.

Andrew Applebaum
Jan 133 min read


How to Design a Winter Walking Tour That Locals Actually Use
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.

Andrew Applebaum
Dec 25, 20254 min read


Think Museum Audio Guides Are Boring? Let’s Bust That Myth (and Prove It’s Wrong)
Picture this: You’re standing in a quiet museum, perhaps a bit overwhelmed. You see a sign for an audio guide, and instantly, a dusty, old-fashioned device with crackly sound comes to mind, right? Maybe you even picture a monotone voice droning on, making you feel more bored than enlightened. (It’s a common image, and honestly, a few old guides probably earned it!)

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 24, 20254 min read


Turn a Quiet Downtown into an Unforgettable Discovery Trail: How to Create Your Own City Tour
Ever looked at your town’s main street or a charming historic district and thought, "How do we make this truly come alive for visitors?" I get it. As tourism marketers and local business promoters, we often feel the pressure to create exciting experiences, but time and resources are always stretched thin. It’s hard to stand out, isn't it? We want to attract those curious travelers and empower local wanderers to truly explore, but without needing a huge budget or a dedicated t

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 17, 20255 min read


How to Create a Fall Farm Tour with an Interactive Tour Guide App
It's a huge opportunity for local farms and businesses this fall, but how do you make it all feel like one cohesive event? Learn how an interactive tour guide app can connect farms, local shops, and visitors into a seamless, self-guided tour that boosts foot traffic and celebrates the best of the season.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 15, 20253 min read


Back-to-School, Back to Exploring: How Travel Guide Apps Can Inspire Local Fall Adventures
The post-summer lull is a perfect time to inspire local exploration! Learn how a customizable interactive travel guide app can create engaging, self-guided tours that motivate residents and visitors to support local businesses. This guide helps you create themed adventures, gamify the experience with rewards, and promote the story to boost engagement.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 2, 20253 min read


From Stone Markers to Digital Memories: How to Transform a Heritage Site
As an Indigenous tourism planner, a parks officer, or a cultural site manager, you know the immense value of the stories embedded in your landscape. From ancient trails to historic buildings, these places hold incredible power. But how do you bridge the gap between a static stone marker and a vibrant, deeply personal memory for every visitor, especially with limited staff and resources? (It’s a common challenge, connecting past to present in a meaningful way!)

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 29, 20255 min read


Bring Culture to Life: How One Cultural Site App Can Make History Feel Personal
Have you ever felt like creating an amazing self-guided tour means you need a massive budget and a dedicated tech team? As a tourism pro,...

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 27, 20254 min read


Expand Your Reach: Driftscape Now Speaks Spanish
Spanish auto-translation is now live in Driftscape. 100% of your English content—tours, POIs, listings, captions—can be viewed in Spanish (and French) by default, no extra uploads or cost. Visitors can switch a single item to Spanish (or French) or set the whole app language. Powered by Google Translate, with full control to edit phrasing in the CMS. Reach more travelers and boost engagement without changing your workflow.

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 21, 20252 min read


Give Your Heritage Site a Digital Voice That Speaks to Every Generation
Struggling to engage all visitors at your heritage site? Discover how a digital app can bring your stories to life, captivate younger audiences, and offer personalized, interactive experiences. Learn how to reach wider audiences, enhance exploration, and gain valuable insights, making your site a must-visit cultural destination!

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 1, 20254 min read


Interactive Tourism Storytelling: Turning Static Signs into Story-Driven Strolls
Static signs aren’t enough to keep visitors engaged. Discover how interactive tourism storytelling turns historic markers into immersive experiences—through audio tours, gamification, and community voices. With real-world examples like Thunder Bay’s Haunted Tour and mobile-first tools like Driftscape, even small destinations can build deeper connections that boost engagement and visitor spend.

Andrew Applebaum
Jul 11, 20254 min read


Make Your Town’s Stories Unmissable (with Digital Storytelling Tourism)
Discover how digital storytelling tourism helps museums, cultural sites, and small towns turn local stories into engaging mobile experiences. With tools like audio tours, AR, and offline access, it’s easier than ever to connect with visitors—on-site or from afar. Learn how towns like Thunder Bay and Carleton Place saw big results, and get practical ideas to launch your first digital tour in just 2–3 weeks.

Andrew Applebaum
Jul 8, 20252 min read


How to Use a Mobile App for City Exploration to Make Public Art Discoverable
Discover how the City of Toronto is bringing its public art to life. Through a partnership with Driftscape, the city launched 50+ audio tours and fun, family-friendly augmented reality Quests. This modern approach makes culture more inclusive, turning the entire city into an interactive museum. Learn how digital storytelling can connect your community's streets to its stories, creating a more engaging visitor experience for destinations of any size.

Andrew Applebaum
Jun 26, 20255 min read


7 Quick Wins to Get More Out of Your Tourism App This Summer
Make your tourism app work harder this summer with 7 quick wins. From QR code signs to mini-tours and photo refreshes, these simple tweaks boost visitor engagement—no big budget or time needed. Perfect for BIAs, museums, and DMOs looking to drive real impact fast.

Andrew Applebaum
Jun 17, 20254 min read


How Tourism Can Benefit From Points and Rewards Programs
In a landscape where tourism destinations strive to captivate and engage visitors, there’s a growing demand for innovative tourism solutions that help enhance visitor experiences and drive loyalty. ..

Andrew Applebaum
Apr 23, 20255 min read


CTV Features the Six Nations Tourism & Driftscape Partnership
In their recent segment, CTV featured the launch of Six Nations Tourism and Driftscape's Partnership.

Driftscape
May 16, 20211 min read


Discover Ottawa’s Rich Heritage with a Tourism App Built for Storytelling
Discover Ottawa’s rich history through the Driftscape tourism app—a mobile-first tool that turns streets into story-filled adventures. With self-guided tours, interactive maps, and AR experiences, visitors can explore heritage sites, local legends, and hidden gems on their own terms. Whether you're strolling past Sparks Street or diving into museum content, Driftscape helps you experience Ottawa like never before.

Driftscape
Jun 18, 20193 min read
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