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Self Guided Experiences: How to Keep Visitors Engaged Without Staff On-Site
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.

Andrew Applebaum
18 hours ago3 min read


What Is a Self Guided Tour? Formats, Costs, and What Visitors Expect
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.

Andrew Applebaum
Feb 103 min read


Digital Marketing in Tourism Industry: Channel-by-Channel Guide (Paid, Organic, Partnerships)
Running a destination doesn't have to be a guessing game. Andrew breaks down the channel-by-channel strategy for digital marketing in the tourism industry, showing you how to turn limited budgets into major foot traffic through organic content, targeted ads, and digital storytelling platforms.

Andrew Applebaum
Jan 293 min read


How to Promote Your Passport Program Without Burning Out Your Team
Stop burying your team in paper punch cards! Learn how to launch a digital "passport to savings" that drives foot traffic to local businesses while automating the boring stuff. From saving thousands in print costs to winning national awards with zero extra staffing, Andrew shares how BIAs and small towns are using smart tech like Driftscape to boost engagement without the burnout. Turn your seasonal campaign into a high-impact, immersive travel experience today.

Andrew Applebaum
Dec 30, 20253 min read


A Passport to Savings: How Holiday Shopping Campaigns Can Drive Foot Traffic (and Fun)
Ready to turn holiday shoppers into local explorers? Discover how digital rewards and a passport to savings can boost foot traffic and sales for your BIA or town centre. Instead of paper cards, a mobile-based system encourages people to visit multiple businesses by gamifying the experience. This low-friction, high-fun approach drives measurable engagement, as seen in examples like Downtown Brampton's 3,000+ check-ins. Focus on mapping out the fun, and using a simple reward st

Andrew Applebaum
Nov 20, 20254 min read


10 New Holiday Self Guided Walking Tour Ideas for BIAs
The holiday season is a massive opportunity for small towns and BIAs, but the pressure to drive foot traffic is real. The solution isn't a bigger budget—it's a smart, self guided walking tour that leverages your existing charm. We’ve collected 10 fresh, engaging ideas—from 'Elf Hunts' to 'Ugly Sweater Showcases'—to help you launch a rewarding, low-staffing campaign that gets people shopping local and exploring your main street this winter.

Andrew Applebaum
Nov 4, 20255 min read


Why you need an automated business directory in 2025
Remember the days of constantly updating spreadsheets or digging through old emails just to find a business's current hours or new offerings? As a BIA manager, Chamber of Commerce director, or small-town tourism marketer, you're the go-to person for everything local. But keeping up with all your member businesses – their ever-changing details, events, and promotions – can feel like a full-time job on its own, right?

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 20, 20254 min read


A Day in the Life of a Perth Local!
Explore Heritage Perth with the Driftscape app!

Driftscape
Mar 8, 20212 min read
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