Tourism Staff has made it through approximately 90% of the key accounts that had been identified in each market segment. We have had some initial conversations and have success in identifying those accounts that have a plan and/or are beginning planning processes. Staff will be meeting this week to review the information that we have gathered and begin planning next steps.
Expedia Summer Co-op
Staff is in the process of securing media for the recovery timeframe. We understand that we need to be flexible, so if we see that the dates need to be pushed, Expedia has said it is flexible with rolling this over to dates that make sense for our market. This is a co-op, so if you have any questions or have any feedback, please contact Dorah Benavidez at dorahbenavidez@yahoo.com for additional information.
MasterCard
In conversations with the Senior VP of Global Cultural and Cross Borders, we have identified five key promotional opportunities with MasterCard through its Priceless Experiences and directly on its MasterCard cardholder website. As a result of our research agreement with it, these opportunities will be at no cost. As the promotional opportunities are finalized, we will be reaching out to partners on how they can participate.
Mexico Online Travel Agencies
Staff conducted conference calls with the product and marketing managers of the top online travel agencies in Mexico: Bestday.com, Price Travel and Despegar.com. All three companies currently have their call centers handling a high volume of calls rescheduling existing and upcoming travel.
Plans for recovery in Mexico are tentatively forecasted for early summer. While their overall strategy will be to promote travel within Mexico, San Antonio will be one of the few U.S. destinations that will be promoted by the three companies. The geographic proximity, easy accessibility, affordability, culture and shopping offerings are a profile the companies feel will sell well in the immediate recovery time period, particularly in the North and Bajio region of the country.
U.S. Based Receptive Operators
Staff has contacted its top accounts with receptive tour operators and ancillary product OTAs to research current and future recovery strategies. Through these individual discussions, we continue to look for areas where Visit San Antonio could leverage each client’s existing strategy to help promote our destination at either a no cost or barter (sharing assets) opportunities.
Rio Grande Valley Consumer Engagement
As staff moves forward with the planning for this event, we have had to adjust our original footprint and activities. We are in the process of investigating an open-air concept, as well as a drive-through activity pick up, coupled with a strong media presence and digital and social media. For more information on the Rio Grande Valley consumer engagements, please contact Alex Gonzales at alexgonzales@vistsanantonio.com.