During this time of decreased tourist revenue, it is the resident that is keeping our communities alive. Through a commitment to getting takeout from local restaurants, posting virtual tours of their community and promising to run outside as soon as we all can, the resident is the one that each destination should be actively engaging with.

With quick updates to websites and posting the latest closures and news on social media, destinations are proving they are trusted source of information residents can rely on. Organizations are sharing what restaurants are still open, offering curbside pickup, carryout delivery. Emails, blogs and updating websites are the most common way destination organizations are reaching out to the community. Below are some examples of how destination organizations are redirecting their same marketing strategies but treating their residents as the customer:

Visit Panama City Beach:  Stay Current

They are also using their brand of “stay current” by making sure their community stays up to date with what is happening in the community. Visit Panama City Beach in Florida has a banner across the top of its website that includes an option to live chat.

Great Rivers and Routes:  Get Your Restaurant Fix

Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois is encouraging residents to support local restaurants with a list and links of restaurants that are open. There is a virtual visitors center, ability to shop online and CDC resources

Visit Champaign County: Outside of Ordinary

Visit Champaign County in Illinois has a site dedicated to business updates and cancellations. Champaign County is keeping with their brand of “outside of ordinary” is a great way to describe the outside of ordinary experience we are all facing.

Visit Denver: To-Go Denver

Visit Denver in Colorado created a special website that allows residents to see what restaurants are open. In collaboration with Boulder Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Eat Denver and the Colorado Restaurant Association this will allow residents to see the most up-to-date information and support their local businesses.

Bermuda:  The Great Bermuda Takeout Day

Bermuda is encouraging locals to support local restaurants by ordering take or delivery on a dedicated day. The Great Bermuda Takeout Day resource has a list of restaurants and shops open so locals can stay connected to what makes their island so special

Jackson County: Further Apart But Feeling Closer than Ever

Jackson County in North Carolina set up a website solely dedicated as a resource for residents and businesses and took out an advertisement in the local paper with a message of support.. In addition to this, Nick Breedlove, the Executive Director of Jackson County TDA has posted resources, press releases and other links to keep residents up to date on the impact of the pandemic in Jackson County.