Tourism Tidbits - Outdoor SafetyMany people consider the winter months to be a time of tourism hibernation. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. Ski vacations and other winter sports turn the tourism industry from a limited product into a twelve-month a year product. The growth of the winter tourism industry in both hemispheres does not mean that this form of tourism is not without its perils. Winter tourism can be divided into several sub-categories of tourism. Included in these are winter outdoor activities, sun and surf activities for those who live in colder climates, and urban cultural activities. What makes the winter tourism season even more challenging is that it attracts a large number of people who are not accustomed to cold weather precautions and therefore often do not give the weather the respect that it demands. The same phenomenon occurs in sun 'n sand destinations where people from colder climates tend to forget just how dangerous both the sun and the sea can be to those who are not cautious. To provide you guests with a safe and secure outdoor winter tourism season T&M suggests that you consider some of the following: -Match your product to the appropriate target market. Make sure you market to those regions that can get to you easily. Winter travel can often be challenging, especially if road conditions are not always the best or visitors cannot use direct flights to get to your area. Take into account which are the transportation hubs that lead to your destination and what can go wrong at these hubs. -Make sure that you know what your hotels' policies are in case of major weather problems. In the snow-belt areas of the world this can mean anything from an unexpected blizzard to an avalanche, in the sea and sand destinations this can mean a medical emergency or a hurricane. In all cases weather can mean that visitors are forced to stay beyond their intended stay producing reservation problems along with transportation issues. -Add a section to your web page. Add a safety and security section to your web page. Remind people that while no one can guarantee ultimate safety and security that we can all lessen the risk of becoming a victim if we follow simple procedures. Be aware of the fact that many tourists and visitors leave their minds at home when on vacation, so repetition of common sense precautions adds an extra level of caution. -List what vaccinations are needed for your area and remind people that strenuous physical activity and heavy use of alcohol are not the best policy. While no one wants to scare tourists, telling most people what they need to do prior to a vacation provides most visitors with a sense that you care. While the après ski activities may make the vacation, winter sports mixed with alcohol may well result in tragedy. | |
Alice TX Chamber News - November 2011 |