Glacier Country Tourism COVID-19 Recovery Strategy
Dear Glacier Country Partner,
Glacier Country Tourism is monitoring the coronavirus
(COVID-19) situation closely. We recognize that many of our partner businesses are
severely impacted by the global pandemic, and that hundreds of businesses in
the region depend on tourism for their livelihood.
We have a plan in place to get the pipeline filled and hit the ground running when it’s deemed appropriate. We want to share with you the efforts that Glacier Country Tourism is currently taking, and the steps we plan to take once travel is given the thumbs up. Glacier Country Tourism (GCT) has two primary audiences for messaging–consumer and partner. We have created strategy and efforts for each:
During:
- Continue to promote the region but with a very different strategy.
- Share with residents and visitors messaging to help prevent the spread of the virus– social distancing, frequent hand washing, avoidance of sick people, state and federal mandates, public land restrictions and closures, etc. Check out our latest blogs:
- Direct each audience towards available resources for information. We provide relevant content and resources including information on health and safety and disaster relief programs for our business owners and workers.
- Western Montana businesses can visit our Partner Center COVID-19 Communication page for up-to-date information.
- On GlacierMT.com we’ve created a Montana COVID-19 Updates page to provide travelers with relevant and up-to-date information.
- Work hand-in-hand with Western Montana businesses to understand the impact on their business, keeping them up to date with what we’re doing, and directing them toward helpful resources.
- Take this short survey to communicate with us what you’re doing now to navigate your business through this uncertain time.
- Reach out to our staff. Our team and on-line visitor resources remain fully operational and we can be reached during normal business hours.
- Keep the media abreast of Glacier Country Tourism and information relevant to the Montana Tourism Industry.
- Respond to media requests regarding insight on the impact of the pandemic on the tourism industry.
- Keep meeting planners and tour operators abreast of Glacier Country Tourism and information relevant to the Montana Tourism Industry. That includes sharing information on what’s happening in Montana through our business to business blog. These are some of the most recent B2B blog posts.
- Assisting meeting planners and tour operators with postponing or cancelling spring meetings and tours into the fall and winter months.
- Daily check ins with different hospitality partners in the region, sharing industry ideas for recovery.
Recovery:
- Ready to launch consumer drive-market campaigns,
webpage marketing, direct email marketing, social media, B2B and earned media
once risk assessment has been declared at a level where consumer travel
confidence may begin to recover.
- Working with media (influencers and traditional
media) to plan trips to Western Montana once it’s deemed appropriate.
- Work with international, state, community and
business partners to promote the region is safe and open for business.
- Continue to offer our visitor information center
grant and cooperative marketing grant programs and provide customer service
trainings throughout our region. We will encourage grant-funding programs by
DMO partners across Montana.
- Promote Western Montana to meeting planners who
are looking to meet in locations with wide open spaces.
Racene Friede
President CEO – Glacier Country Tourism