THE PATH TO DISTRIBUTION Tourism Questionnaire

STAGE 1 - Destination AwarenessAll destinations compete for awareness in tourism markets. It is the collective voice of tourism operators and destination marketers that create the energy & motivation for visitors to commit to our region.

This section identifies the role that you are currently playing in contributing to destination awareness for The Sapphire Coast.

1. Are you a member of a tourism organisation?

ATEC Australian Tourism Export Council Industry Marketing Association

Local Visitor Centre Regional Tourist Organisation

Other

2. Have you participated in a joint marketing campaign with any of thefollowing organisations?

Sapphire Coast Tourism Local Visitor Centre Tourism Association

None of the Above

3. Do you share stories, product updates and event information with yourtourism marketing organisations?

Tourism Australia

Destination NSW

Industry Association

Sapphire Coast Tourism

Local Visitor Centre

None

Was not aware of this opportunity

4. Do you write blog posts to encourage visitation to the region and yourbusiness?

Yes No

Other

5. Do you send e-newsletters to encourage visitation to the region and yourbusiness?

Yes No

6. Do you use social media channels to share destination information?

Yes No

I'm interested and need help

7. Have you ever written a media or PR release?

Yes No

I'm interested and need help

8. Has your business hosted media and journalists, resulting in coverage forthe region?

Yes No

I'm interested and need help

9. Has your business supported a tourism industry 'famil' to host travel agentsor tourism media?

Yes No I'm interested

STAGE 2 - Finding Your Product OnlineWhen a travel consumer is motivated to visit the Sapphire Coast, it's important that they can find

you and experience your business online.

This section explores what online distribution channels you are currently using.

10. Where will potential customers find your business online. Tick all relevantareas.

My website

Local Visitor Centre website (Bookeasy)

Destination websites (Sapphire Coast Tourism, Tourism Australia,Visit NSW)

Meta Search Sites (GoogleTravel, TripAdvisor, YahooTravel)

Online Travel Agents (OTA's)

Tourism Trade (Wholesalers, Inbound Tour Operators)

Other

11. How do you take best advantage of Google services?

Places Listing Adwords Geo-targeting Re-marketing

Google Plus Alerts Analytics

12. Have you ever attended an online distribution workshop?

Yes No I'm interested

13. Do you have an Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listing?

Yes I update it regularly It's out of date

No What is it?

14. Tick which OTA websites currently feature your products

booking.com Expedia Trivago Hotelscombined

Webjet Wotif Viator Agoda

Stayz Airbnb Others None - help!

15. If you are using OTA's, which statement applies to you?

I log in to Expedia and booking.com portals weekly

My listings have achieved a 100% content score with OTA's

My business features in itineraries & packages promoted by OTA's

I am regularly in touch with my OTA distribution partners

I regularly participate in promotional campaigns with OTA's

I've participated in the past with limited results

16. Which sites feature reviews of your business?

Expedia TripAdvisor Viator Google+ Facebook

Others None

17. What is your average review rating:

5 4 3 2 1

18. What is your TripAdvisor ranking?

STAGE 3 - Travel Industry BookingsAn effective tourism marketing strategy touches all distribution channels, both consumer and trade. Travel Agents, Wholesalers and Inbound Tour Operators can reach consumers in broader markets.

This section looks at your current understanding of trade distribution.

19. Are you currently distributing your products through travelpartners? i.e. Travel Agents, Coach Tour Operators, Wholesale etc..

Yes No

If your answer is YES, please proceed to question 24

20. Do you understand the relationship of the travel distribution networkto your business?

Yes No

I'd like more information

21. Do you understand the principles of travel industry commission and why itshould be considered a marketing expense?

Yes No I'd like more information

23. Do you know how to price your product for travel industry distribution?

Yes No I need some help

22. Do you have concise sales terms and conditions with a cancellation policyfor your business?

Yes No I need some help

23. Do you have great images, a unique positioning statement and a cleardescription of your product's customer experience ready to distribute?

Yes No I need some help

24. Do you have a reservation system which can manage accounting and communications needed for travel agent bookings?

NoYesI need more information

If your answer is NO, please proceed to STAGE 4.

25. Which sectors do you currently have commission agreements with?

Local Travel Agents

Domestic Wholesalers

Local Visitor Centre

Online Travel Agents (OTA's)

Coach Tour Companies Inbound Travel Agents

26. Do you maintain price parity for all distribution partners?

NoYesNot sure what this means

27. Do you regularly communicate product changes with your distribution partners?

Yes No

28. Are trade distribution partners considered as part of your advertising strategy?

Yes No

29. Do you track source markets? i.e. Do you know where your customers originate from?

Yes No

30. Which international markets are currently experiencing your product?

STAGE 4: Taking Your Product To MarketTo determine opportunities for Sapphire Coast to partner with you and your business, we need

to know a little more about what makes your business great.

This section looks at your marketing capability in preparation to broaden your reach.

31. Which of the follwoing marketing pillars best suits your business? Tick allrelevant categories.

Arts & Culture Wildlife and Marine

Family Fun

Food & Wine

Adventure

32. Which statement best describes your marketing structure. Tick all relevantresponses.

We have a current business plan We have a marketing budget

We have a Marketing Manager I look after our marketing

We outsource marketing We need help & more time!

33. Does your website have real-time online booking capability?

NoYesI'd like recommendations

34. Is your website content up to date with correct pricing?

Yes No

35. Can your website translate content?

Yes No

36. Which statement best describes your booking procedures. Tick all relevant responses.

We operate a manual booking systemWe reply to all bookings via emailWe provide online vouchers to be presented on arrival We provide pre-arrival guest informationWe encourage follow-up engagement with our business Other

37. Is your business industry accredited?

Yes No

If YES, which programmes is your business recognised by?

38. Have your staff recently undertaken customer service training?

Yes No

39. Do you believe your staff are culturally aware to accommodate international guests?

NoYesWe would like more information

40. Would you like mentoring assistance to learn more about International and Domestic Trade Distribution?

Yes No

Other

Thank you for completing this questionnaire. Questions can be directed to Bernard Whewell, 0418 892478

Please email your completed form to:

research@distinctlytravelmanagement.com.au