Pursuing Innovation
If you’re looking for a new way to experience a familiar city, the local CVB can be a big help in uncovering new ways to enjoy destinations that your travelers may already have visited. CVB staffers are often the first people to know about the latest and greatest tours, attractions and restaurants around town, and they can make personal recommendations for great group activities or off-the-beaten-path stops. Many also have a great deal of clout in their communities and can help you arrange VIP activities not available to the general public. The best CVB pros are constantly innovating and helping their local partners create new experiences for groups, and they’ll be eager to share these itineraries and programs with you.
Managing Logistics
Many CVBs offer a wide range of services that go far beyond destination sales. Services vary from one location to the next, but it’s not uncommon for CVBs to help group leaders arrange the details of their itineraries, book space at attractions and restaurants, and even gather group price quotes from area hotels. Many CVBs will send a representative with gifts to meet and greet groups arriving in town, and some will even provide a staff member to board the bus and give guided tours. As a general rule, you can expect to find more personalized levels of service from CVBs in smaller destinations.
Tracking Visits
Most CVBs are funded by hotel taxes or membership dues and provide their services to travel planners free of charge. If a CVB has been helpful to you in travel planning, the best way you can return the favor is to give them information on your trip after it happens. Visitor statistics are highly valued by destination professionals, and giving them information on your group’s visit can help them improve their services and demonstrate their value to their partners in the community. Telling your CVB contacts about the number of visitors you brought, the number of nights you stayed, where you visited and where you ate is a simple and highly effective way of thanking them for their help.
