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 going when everyone's focus shifts to back-to-school and the leaves start to turn?

The challenge for DMOs and tourism boards is how to create a compelling reason for visitors to come, even as the weather gets a little cooler. This isn't just about pretty leaves; it's about making sure your destination doesn't get lost in the seasonal shuffle.

The goal is to create rich, interactive immersive travel experiences that not only attract new visitors but also deepen their connection with your community.

Imagine transforming your destination’s beautiful fall colours and harvest festivals into digital adventures.

A visitor engagement platform can help you do just that. It's a tool for crafting unique, memorable moments that will have people talking long after they leave.

How a Visitor Engagement Platform Works for Fall Tourism

A digital tourism platform is more than just a map; it's your go-to tool for crafting unforgettable experiences. It allows you to create unique content that visitors can access right from their phones. Think of it as a playbook for the season that helps you deliver amazing cultural tourism experiences.

Tourism Reality: Modern travelers expect information and interaction on demand. A well-designed self-guided tour app can turn a simple walk into a treasure hunt, boosting both visitor satisfaction and local business support.

10 Digital Ways to Boost Visitor Engagement This Season

Ready to level up your fall offerings?

Here are ten proven ways to use a digital visitor engagement platform to create an unforgettable season.

1. Launch a Fall Foliage Tour. Create a self-guided tour of the best spots for leaf-peeping. You can include historical anecdotes, local folklore, and even some photography tips. A platform like Driftscape can help you map it all out easily.

2. Host a Spooky Scavenger Hunt. The spooky season is perfect for gamification. Create a scavenger hunt with riddles and challenges at local "haunted" spots. The Downtown Brampton BIA used prizes to get over 3,000 digital check-ins in one weekend, showing just how effective a simple contest can be.

3. Create a "Taste of the Town" Tour. Fall is all about comfort food. Design a food-themed tour that takes visitors to local cafes, breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. You can even include digital coupons to encourage them to shop local.

4. Offer a "Harvest Heroes" Rewards Program. Partner with local farms and businesses to create a rewards program. Visitors can earn points by checking in at corn mazes or pumpkin patches and redeem them for exclusive discounts or prizes. Bruce County saw over 18,000 visits and won a national award using this exact strategy—all without extra staff.

5. Turn a Festival into a Game. If you have a fall festival, use a digital platform to guide attendees. Create digital check-in points, photo challenges, and live leaderboards. The Sussex Lights Up Holiday Tour brought in over 3,500 participants in just 30 days by combining a holiday light tour with a scavenger hunt.

6. Create a Local Art Walk. Highlight local artists and galleries with a self-guided tour. You can include audio commentary from the artists themselves, giving visitors a deeper connection to the art (and your community).

7. Run a “Find the Scarecrow” Contest. Partner with local businesses to display unique scarecrows. Visitors use the app to find them, check in, and get entered into a contest. It's a simple idea that drives foot traffic and community involvement.

8. Offer a Virtual Storytelling Tour. For those rainy fall days, create an audio tour that tells the local history, myths, and legends of your destination. The Michigan Heroes Museum used this to get over 1,200 completed tours within a year.

9. Partner with a Local School. Work with schools to create a fall-themed tour as a class project. It's a fantastic way to engage the community and get fresh, authentic content. The Carleton Place BIA did this, resulting in over 1,300 scavenger hunt completions in 30 days.

10. Build a "Shop Local" Trail. Create a digital trail that highlights unique, local shops and boutiques perfect for fall fashion and home goods. It’s an easy way to drive economic activity while celebrating your community’s small businesses.

The Final Word on Fall

Don't let the end of summer be the end of your tourism season.

With the right visitor engagement platform, you can transform your destination into a vibrant, interactive playground that visitors will love. It’s about creating a unique and memorable experience that makes your place a must-visit destination.

Ready to make this fall your most successful season yet?

Book a demo today and explore some of the real-world tours already on the Driftscape app.