Locals remain a tourism bright spot, survey finds

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While many remain reluctant to vacation amid the pandemic, a recent survey found that Delaware’s biggest tourism asset could be its own residents.

The marketing data, including national travel trends from Longwoods International and surveys from Delaware visitors and residents in October, was announced throughout a Delaware Tourism Office presentation on Oct. 28 - before a recent surge of cases likely further impacted potential travel decisions.

Liz Keller, director of the Delaware Tourism Office, told stakeholders that local travel and leisure remains key to the state’s marketing, especially those looking for things you can do while staying near home. With coronavirus cases growing in the united states, tourism consultancy firm Longwoods International reports that roughly half of most Americans said that concern with COVID-19 is protecting against them from traveling. 

Top factors include insufficient clarity in health and safety protocols, and travel restrictions in desired destinations. But browsing friends and family remain a high driver, so Keller notes that when it's high time, Delaware merchants and destinations might help push the thought of exploring safely.

“People still want to explore their backyards, and we all miss being with this relatives and buddies,” Keller said. “Engaging with locals, and producing them our ambassadors as persons [feel safe to arrive visit], make certain the residents really know what they are able to do while they’re here.”

In-state survey results present that locals generally believe that they find out everything to accomplish in Delaware, but have yet to accomplish it. Meanwhile, 80% of surveyed out-of-state visitors - mainly from Pennsylvania and New York - said these were unaware of everything to do in Delaware.

“That’s an incredible challenge and a blank canvas to talk about with them about Delaware,” Keller said in mention of out-of-state visitors.

Top things to do in the fall and the wintertime include history and heritage attractions, the beaches, outdoor recreation, craft beer and indoor dining, according to respondents.

About 78% of out-of-state respondents said they sensed safe visiting Delaware, but half were split on if they would essentially visit in the fall or winter season. Survey results revealed that if indeed they do travel, it would largely maintain search of a retirement residence or for leisure.

“If standard of living is part of any marketing message, now would be the time to get the message out that as the metro areas are packed, come here and experience our quiet countryside,” Keller said.

Meanwhile, surveyed Delaware residents said they hoped to dine at a good restaurant at least one time weekly and shop in local retail stores monthly, showing how comfortable they will be in their communities. Those patterns possess held throughout the pandemic, and Keller explained that retailers remain at a essential point when the vacation season arrives.

Destination Analytics reports that 80% of Americans intend to shop during the holidays, but gleam demand to take action while social distancing and meeting other pandemic-related safety precautions.

“Facebook Live sales are actually doing really well, especially with local boutiques, and private shopping hours and curb-side pick-up,” Keller said, noting the “demand is there to shop local.”

The silver lining for the tourism industry comes into play the brand new year, when persons feel more confident to explore Delaware. About 65% of out-of-state residents explained they were planning for a trip for 2021, with about half of those respondents still in the look stages of such a vacation.

Source: https://delawarebusinesstimes.com

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