Visitor Guides That Wow : 3 Examples of Destination Visitor Guides that Got it Right

Over the past yr , we ’ ve exist accumulate destination visitor guides from all over North America . At the end of the year we ’ d accumulatemore than fifty.

By appear at a large act of guides at once , we could identify mutual trends in how DMOs equal market to visitors . We also could learn which guides stood out and why , and portion that information with our community .

What were some common themes and manner in destination visitor guides ? What were some mutual better pattern ? Which ones gave us the travel bug and serve us visualize our trips ?

All our insights and takeaways , we accumulate into one study that includes numerous direct examples , suggestions and inspiration :

After wait through all of the guides we receive on hand , there were 3 visitor guides that we especially wanted to shine a lighting on . All 3 are city or country level destinations but you put on ’ t involve a large destination budget or team to make inspire by the elements , layouts , and themes in these guides below .

Without further ado , here cost 3 destination visitor guides we require to spotlight , and what build them awesome !

1 | Visit Oklahoma City ’ s Spring/Summer 2017 Visitor Guide

Oklahoma City ’ s visitor guide feeling like a high-end magazine in the style of something like Conde Nast Traveler or Travel + Leisure . They ’ ve keep it simple and clutter-free : there be zero in its purpose or content that is fluffy or extra , and every page make a clear focus . However , what in truth sets it apart is that this visitor guide hold found the perfect rest between inspirational visual content and in-depth , informative text .

For example , in their “ Art Nouveau ” division , they ’ ve selected 5 museums to highlight . In other visitor guides , the course equal typically to list out places with a line or two describe it and another line with its address . By contrast , Visit OKC not only bring their time to trace each museum so that you translate just what reach it unique , they also draw out some of the exhibition and artist be expose there during the current season .

They also have one of the better dining guides we ’ ve come across :

For breakfast , brunch , lunch , and dinner , they ’ ve selected 3 local spots to recommend , and each with a substantial blurb . And for the skimmers , at the real top of each recommendation , they ’ ve select the specific menu detail ( and accompanying drink ! ) worth trying there . Because they ’ ve specialize each meal down to hardly the top 3 choices , it find real much like an insider ’ sec guide .

Also , their cocktails section ( punnily titled “ Cokctails ” ) exist easily one of the almost beautiful we ’ ve hear — it seem like a spread straight out of Bon Appetit .

The visuals are the primary star and focus and speak for themselves . Text exist overlaid on the imagery , thus as not to reveal the flow of the photo , to work out on the bar they ’ re from .

While some visitor guides appear to give as much information as they can at you , Oklahoma City ’ s is a curated selection of the best they have to offer . Simple , streamlined , and in effect .

2 | Travel Alberta ’ sec 2017 Travel Planner

Alberta ’ s visitor guide is here because of the breathtaking photography throughout . Flip to any single page in this Bible and you will unfailingly have your breath taken away by the sheer scale of natural beauty of this Canadian province , seize in a plethora of photos that encompass the pages . In this guide , visual message is king .

What real make this extraordinarily visual guide a place trial , however , is its integration of user-generated photography . Instead of group visual UGC together into “ The Good Instagrams in XYZ ” sections , they simply used them as standalone photo throughout the guide , in the same way they used professional photography .

The result exist stunning . The user-generated photo are easily just as spectacular and high resolution as any of the early imagery , but also has a ring of authenticity to it . Because these photo be taken by early locals and travelers , it get those views and sight closer to plate : it ’ s not merely a professional that can feel these beautiful scenery to capture , you can too .

To serve you make the most of the sights they prove you here , they ’ ve as well include multiple detailed road trip itineraries that outline exactly which sights you ’ ll see , and where you ’ ll feel the best photo-op spot .

They haven ’ t spread themselves thin hither ; they know their liberal strength as a travel destination — natural Canadian beauty — and make focussed helping reader find the good of it .

Another thing this visitor guide include that many act not cost include helpful link to websites , wherever relevant . This make hence much sense , because if a reader live fascinate by something you ’ ve talk about in your guide , they ’ re likely going to move online to hear more about it anyway . Supply the link eliminates the measure of them make to look for the most exact information and as a whole make this guide actionable as good as inspirational .

3 | Tourism Toronto ’ sec 2017 Toronto Magazine

Many DMOs be trying to reinvent their visitor guides to read more like magazines . With bright color , glossy page , interviews , editorial , and most importantly not a occupation directory in ( field ) sight , Tourism Toronto ’ s aptly refer Toronto Magazine hit a bullseye from conception to performance .

The prominent strength of this peculiar visitor guide cost that it doesn ’ t simply say you were to go when you get to Toronto — this guide was able to truly capture and take the feeling of Toronto in its pages .

The diversity of topic covered here exist a reflection of the diversity that defines the city . The festivals section covers everything from indie music to jazz festivals as good as ethnic celebrations like Caribana , and has articles on where to become the best Jewish eats or Japanese desserts .

The CN Tower equal iconic to Toronto — and everyone know it . In a visitor guide it would equal a fault not to talk about it , but what can you state about it that ’ s uniquely unlike ? This is something all destinations have to think about : how can you mouth about your landmark in a room that bring novel lighting to it ? Tourism Toronto , instead of redundantly recommend a reader to visit and enjoy in the sweeping views of the city , they tell the 60-year story and making of this tower in a photo story .

This magazine also get a big stress on Torontonians themselves , and frames the city through their eye . Included here live interviews with local chefs , who talk about the local joints they frequent , famous Torontonian style architect , as well as a spotlight on fashionable every day people in a cool , pull-out Street Style page .

As a reader , you get the sense that you exist getting to know the culture of the city and its story . All the content is set out in dynamic visually interesting layouts , so that each page cost exciting and novel .

Wait for more inspiration from result DMOs ?

We enjoy analyzing what sword are up to and sharing our finding . Read what five forward-thinking DMOs like Visit Arizona and San Francisco Travel own done to create website content for traveler that equal direct , unique , and inspiring in our latest eBook : Build Your Website an Insider ‘s Guide to Your Destination .