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Bobby Taylor, 714/765-8867 rtaylor@anaheimoc.org
“Amazing Race”-Style Tour Creates New View of AnaheimAnaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Super Familiarization Tour Provides Innovative Way to Sell Destination
ANAHEIM, Calif. (January 21, 2009) – Once a year since 2001, the Utah-based travel company GetAwayToday.com has traveled to Anaheim to tour hotels and attractions included in their vacation packages. Usually, the GetAwayToday.com team takes a tour bus to each hotel, receiving a small tour at each location.
This year the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Tourism Dept transformed the traditional tour format, creating an innovative and memorable experience of the Anaheim area. Taking inspiration from “The Amazing Race,” the AOCVCB separated the twenty-five staff members of GetAwayToday.com into five teams, each armed with a list of hotel/destination related clues and a tour guide.
“We wanted to create a different kind of impression this year for the staff of GetAwayToday.com,” said Luanne Miracle, Manager of Tourism Development at the Bureau. “And it worked. The group was so excited to see it all and find the clues, that they were sprinting to each hotel lobby.”
“We really liked the twist of having a competition,” said Chuck Smith, President of GetAwayToday.com. “We see over a hundred hotels and it made it real fun to be able to have a change of pace. The competition helped the staff stay energized, which allowed them to stay focused and see the uniqueness in each property.”
In addition to hotel site inspections, the race had the GetAwayToday.com team traveling to other notable sites in Anaheim to figure out clues for their next destination. Stops included Downtown Disney to get an update on Disney’s “What Will You Celebrate” campaign, the all-new retail, dining and entertainment venue Anaheim GardenWalk, and concluded with a bowling event at the luxurious 300 Anaheim, also at the Anaheim GardenWalk.
“The Bureau’s efforts gave our staff a first-hand view of what the guests can expect,” continued Smith. “Based on that, we have to come up with better promotions and try to keep the level of service that we are known for at the same level or improve it.”
Based on this positive feedback, the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau’s Tourism Dept. plans on continuing with FAM tours that have interactive elements in order to enhance their destination marketing efforts. “We will absolutely continue this type of promotion,” Miracle says. “It was fun and interactive for everybody, and it enhanced how they perceive our destination.”
Home to renowned beaches, world-famous theme parks and attractions, exciting professional sports, unique shopping, arts and cultural events, and award-winning restaurants, Southern California’s Anaheim/Orange County is a blend of sights and experiences complemented by warm sunshine. For more information about Anaheim/Orange County, visit www.anaheimoc.org or call 714/765-8888.
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