The tourism season has past or has it?
The State Director of Tourism believes Missouri can use the beautiful fall weather this year to lure travelers here to view the colors and visit the state’s attractions. Director Katie Steele Danner says it’s been tough to market tourist spots during the down economy.
“We know that people are still traveling. They’re making their decisions to travel in a shorter time-frame. They’re staying shorter times and they’re looking for deals. Everybody’s looking for a deal,” Danner tells the Missourinet. “And so we actually changed our campaign this year to ‘Don’t Take Less of a Vacation, Take a Vacation for Less in Missouri.’ We’re trying to debunk that whole staycation notion.”
Danner says Missouri has the make-up to survive in an increasingly competitive environment in which tourism must contend with all segments for the consumer’s discretionary income.
“We’re not necessarily competing with other tourist attractions. We’re competing with automobile sales, or buying a new appliance,” Danner says. “People are trying to watch their pocketbooks. And so we’re saying an investment in a vacation is very important for you.”
Danner says for Missouri to succeed, tourism destinations must be creative and must provide a good experience once people travel here.
