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A city directory just for tourists ?

by depp12
11 replies
Hi,

This has probably been done before loads of times

Here i go anyway. I was just wondering if creating a directory for toursits only is a viable idea ?

Listing things to do, attractions, tours etc. obviously it would mean that toursits would have to jump on the website so then i would have to get the website then in front of them.

I was thinking i could intially just write up a description of venue/attraction/ then maybe email the venue saying "you've been included in a listing for tourists which will expire in 21 days to continue please ring us to renew your listing. Listing advantages why you should pay for the listing as well maybe..?

I have more questions

Just wondering if its possible to make money with this given we are coming into march soon ?

What would i charge /monthly or yearly ?

How would i measure this in order to sell the concept to businesses because the business will ask why should i list on your website ?
(hits to website, your competitor is listed here ,) how do i know a certain venue or any business is getting value ? as all i will see is hits to the site.

What would be a good wordpress theme to use for this ?

I'd love to know if anybody has had success with this model.

Thanks for all your help in advance,
d

ps. sorry for the questions
#city #directory #tourists #toursits
  • Profile picture of the author XponentSYS
    I tried my hand at something like this a couple of years ago catering to restaurants. In a nutshell, it went like this.

    1. Created a MOBILE DIRECTORY SITE of local bars and restaurants. Each restaurant had a listing in the directory, which led to a menu and a contact page with map.

    2. Went to dozens of HOTELS in town and got them to let us place a "table tent" with a QR code and URL (so guests could scan or just browse to it - BOTH led to the same place - directory).

    That's the idea in its most BASIC form. Use your imagination to expand on it...

    SMS LEAD GEN?
    "Upgrade" coupon coupons the restaurants pay for?
    Daily Deals?

    This was FREE for both the restaurants and hotels.

    We were going to launch it, grow it, THEN monetize it various ways.

    Unfortunately, this idea never got launched. After we developed it, I walked away due to various business issues.

    Those issues had nothing to do with the IDEA.... I believe it's a good one and may do it at some point.
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    • Profile picture of the author sociallid
      We are doing this very thing and have been for well over a year. We provide displays to hotels for free, we charge the businesses to be seen in those hotels. We have over 500 hotels contracted and adding to that number daily. We are in major cities such as Memphis, Nashville, St.Louis, etc;.

      It has taken much longer to get built up than originally thought. You will find that the majority of buisnesses don't see a huge benefit in just targeting travelers. Our biggest issue is finding good sales people in all the cities.

      We have a patent pending on this process and are currently selling biz opps in any city that we aren't in. 25k gets you access to our name, trademarks, connections, and 8 weeks of in person training once a week. We get the hotels, we pay for the printing, all you have to do is sell the ads and build up a sales team. We split revenue 50/50.
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      • Profile picture of the author XponentSYS
        Originally Posted by sociallid View Post

        We are doing this very thing and have been for well over a year. We provide displays to hotels for free, we charge the businesses to be seen in those hotels. We have over 500 hotels contracted and adding to that number daily. We are in major cities such as Memphis, Nashville, St.Louis, etc;.

        It has taken much longer to get built up than originally thought. You will find that the majority of buisnesses don't see a huge benefit in just targeting travelers. Our biggest issue is finding good sales people in all the cities.

        We have a patent pending on this process and are currently selling biz opps in any city that we aren't in. 25k gets you access to our name, trademarks, connections, and 8 weeks of in person training once a week. We get the hotels, we pay for the printing, all you have to do is sell the ads and build up a sales team. We split revenue 50/50.
        Nice. Selling it as an opportunity or a franchise is the best way to scale a "local centric" business (like money mailer for example), IMO. Great job.

        Question (and I'm not doing this - just curious) how do you spin it so the business owners sign up if they don't see the value/benefit?
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  • Profile picture of the author rugman
    I can't see SMS working here - tourists are gone a few days or a week maybe. Mobile coupons would be great though. Maybe an SMS campaign that only goes for a few days? Kinds silly though.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
      Midasman has been doing this for ages, but as far as paying 25K for the "opportunity", thank you but no thanks. I have developed a list on my own with my own time invested, and yes, there are "opportunities" in it.

      My best advice? Search for Midasman,

      Eva
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      • Profile picture of the author sociallid
        Xponent. We do rarely get that, however when we do, we have bought up local city named domains and they get that included with purchase. We are now also providing every restaurant that signs up with us, some nice items to display at ever table so anyone sitting around that is local or a traveler can see our listings.
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        • Profile picture of the author sociallid
          Rugman, we do do some sms, but are just now getting into the mobile coupon feature that we charge them extra for. So far the trials have gone great.
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          • Profile picture of the author rugman
            Originally Posted by sociallid View Post

            Rugman, we do do some sms, but are just now getting into the mobile coupon feature that we charge them extra for. So far the trials have gone great.
            Cool - tourists love coupons! I gotta think that would be key. I have been looking at some tourist areas near me also.
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            • Profile picture of the author Vikuna2009+
              Don't know if you guys have searched for Midasman or not since you have not acknowledged my remark/post but anyhoooo...

              "Kids eat free" season is coming up, google that, make some dough,lol,

              Eva
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              • Profile picture of the author rugman
                Originally Posted by Vikuna2009+ View Post

                Don't know if you guys have searched for Midasman or not since you have not acknowledged my remark/post but anyhoooo...

                "Kids eat free" season is coming up, google that, make some dough,lol,

                Eva
                Sorry - i read everything midasman posts! Wether you agree with him or not - he has some great ideas!
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  • Profile picture of the author BIG DEALS
    I would go with a yearly price. Setting up a recurring monthly fee can be a bit of a hassle for this type of service. Businesses can pay a one time fee for that year and have one less bill to worry about.

    I also believe SMS could work even for tourists. If the offers are strong enough, people will opt in. Who cares if people are opting out rapidly as long as you continue to balance it out with new opt ins..

    Table tents in hotels is a must.
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