Fifty percent of destination marketing organizations expect
to return to paid promotional advertising within the next 60 days, according to
a survey of DMOs by MMGY Travel Intelligence in partnership with the Destinations
International Foundation.
More than half also expect to resume email and social media
campaigns as well as paid search.
Ninety-five percent of DMOs reduced or postponed paid
promotional advertising because of the Covid-19 pandemic and 80% shifted sales,
marketing or messaging strategies.
“Covid-19 has had a substantial financial impact on the
tourism industry, and destination organizations have responded quickly by
deferring marketing funds in a responsible manner,” said Craig Compagnone, MMGY
Global’s chief operating officer.
“However, search data is telling us that there is still a
strong desire to travel, and we believe this pent-up demand will result in a
high volume of shorter booking window trips when bans are lifted and consumers
believe it is safe to get out and explore again.”