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Marketing in Travel: 9 Tactics to Increase Visitation Without a Bigger Budget
Marketing in travel doesn't have to break the bank. Andrew, our digital tourism expert, shares 9 practical, low-cost tactics to increase visitation. From the success of Downtown Carleton Place BIA’s scavenger hunts to Bruce County’s reward-based engagement, learn how to use digital tools to turn existing local assets into major visitor draws.

Andrew Applebaum
6 hours ago4 min read


What Is a DMO? A Simple Guide for Tourism Teams (and What They Actually Do)
Confused by tourism acronyms? Andrew breaks down exactly what a DMO is, how they differ from BIAs, and how teams are using digital tools like Driftscape to turn casual visitors into local shoppers.

Andrew Applebaum
Jan 63 min read


Turn Your Local Events Into Year-Round Visitor Experiences
Stop letting your festival momentum disappear on Monday morning. Andrew explains how BIA and DMO managers can use a digital engagement scavenger hunt to turn one-off events into year-round visitor experiences. Learn from real-world examples like Riverview and Carleton Place on how to drive foot traffic, support local businesses, and save money on print materials—all while giving visitors a fun, interactive reason to explore your town every single day.

Andrew Applebaum
Jan 14 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


2026 Travel Industry Technology: What Smart Destinations Are Actually Using
The biggest shift in travel industry technology for 2026 is moving the visitor experience entirely to their pocket. DMOs don't need to chase large smart city projects; they need accessible tools like AI-curated directories and mobile gamification. This playbook shows how small-to-midsize destinations can implement low-cost, high-impact tech to solve real problems: limited staffing, low engagement, and the need to prove local business impact.

Andrew Applebaum
Nov 27, 20255 min read


Destination Marketing in 2026: 5 Trends to Watch (and How to Prepare Now)
The key to successful destination marketing in 2026 isn't chasing every tech fad, but embracing five core trends that prioritize visitor engagement: hyper-local interactive tours, foot-traffic-driving gamification, AI-powered admin relief, multilingual storytelling, and the digital integration of events. Learn how destinations like Carleton Place and Bruce County are using these methods to achieve measurable success, drive foot traffic, and future-proof their visitor experien

Andrew Applebaum
Nov 25, 20255 min read


Seasonal Tourism Marketing That Works: 7 Real Ideas from Towns Like Yours
Ever feel the pressure of the changing seasons, wondering how to keep your town buzzing year-round, not just during peak times? As a small-town tourism marketer or a BIA communications manager, you know that visitors often have specific interests tied to the time of year. But translating that into concrete, engaging tourism marketing strategies that actually work can be a real head-scratcher, especially with limited time and resources.

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 31, 20254 min read


How a Walking Tour App Can Turn Local Wanderers into Lifelong Fans
Ever feel like your visitors are just skimming the surface of your destination, missing out on the real heart of the community? Or worse, that your local residents aren't truly engaging with the unique stories and businesses right in their own backyard? It's a common challenge for DMOs and BIAs: how do you foster deeper connections and create a lasting impression with limited resources? Often, they're looking for an immersive travel experience that's just not easy to find on

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 27, 20254 min read


Behind the Magic: How One Festival Created a Living Digital Experience with Driftscape
As an event coordinator or festival planner, you pour your heart into creating unforgettable moments. You dream of every attendee feeling truly immersed, discovering new artists, and staying connected long after the last curtain call. But how do you extend that magic beyond the physical event space, especially when your audience is on the go and hungry for more? (It’s a real challenge, making an ephemeral event leave a lasting digital footprint!)

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 22, 20254 min read


What If a Digital Passport Could Help DMOs Increase Visitor Engagement in Under 30 Minutes?
DMOs can now launch a custom digital tour guide in minutes using Driftscape’s free trial. Just enter your top places — our AI fills in the photos, hours, and descriptions automatically. Map mode, directions, and even AR included. It’s fast, shareable, and built to show what your destination could look like with smart tourism tools.

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 10, 20253 min read


Why BIAs Need a Smart Business Directory Before the Holiday Rush
The holiday rush is coming. Don't get bogged down in manual updates! Learn how a smart AI business directory automates listings, saving you time and ensuring visitors have accurate info. This tool helps you support local businesses, drive foot traffic, and focus on strategic community engagement during the busiest season.

Andrew Applebaum
Oct 8, 20254 min read


Shop Local, Stay Longer: 10 Ways to Help Visitors Discover and Support Local Businesses
You want visitors to experience your community's unique heart, not just the chain stores. Learn 10 ways a discover visitor app can help tourists find and support local businesses, turning a casual visit into a memorable, community-building experience that boosts your local economy and creates a lasting connection.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 26, 20254 min read


Why a Museum App Isn’t Just for Exhibits: 6 Ways to Extend Visitor Engagement Outdoors This Fall
Don’t let visitor engagement end at your museum's doors! Learn how to use a museum tour app to create self-guided, outdoor experiences that connect your institution to the community. From seasonal scavenger hunts to historical walking tours, discover six creative ways to leverage the autumn season and keep visitors engaged with your stories long after they've left your exhibits. It's a simple, powerful way to extend your reach and show that the best stories are found right ou

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 24, 20254 min read


How to Boost Tourism This Halloween: 20 Self-Guided & Spooky Ideas
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.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 19, 20254 min read


How to Create a Haunted Walking Tour With Spooky Audio (No Tour Guide Needed)
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.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 17, 20254 min read


How to Boost Fall Tourism: 20 Self-Guided Tours, Hunts & Ideas That Work
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.

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 10, 20254 min read


The Fall Tourism Playbook: 10 Digital Ways to Boost Visitor Engagement This Season
As summer winds down, you're probably already thinking about the next season. The big question is: How do you keep the tourism momentum...

Andrew Applebaum
Sep 4, 20253 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


What Makes Visitors Stay, Explore, and Recommend? Your Platform Might Be the Key
As a DMO marketing manager or tourism data analyst, you're constantly asking: what truly makes visitors fall in love with our destination? We pour resources into incredible attractions and events, but how do we know what’s actually resonating, driving longer stays, and inspiring those valuable recommendations? It’s like trying to navigate a dense fog without a compass – you’re moving forward, but are you headed in the best direction? (I've definitely wrestled with vague visit

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 19, 20255 min read


Turn Silent Exhibits into Stories That Speak—Even After Hours
As a museum exhibit coordinator or cultural centre manager, you pour your heart into creating incredible displays. But doesn't it sometimes feel like your most captivating exhibits whisper secrets only a few truly hear? It’s tough to make every visitor feel a deep, personal connection to a silent display, especially when they’re rushing through. You want them to have that profound immersive travel experience, but how do you achieve it when staff are stretched thin?

Andrew Applebaum
Aug 5, 20253 min read
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