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International Tourism Marketing Opportunities

Program Summary

The Colorado Tourism Office’s International Program helps destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and tourism businesses advertise to international visitors. Tourism partners can take advantage of several strategies to promote their destination overseas. Strategies include:

  • International Familiarization Tours (FAMs)
  • Tour operator co-ops
  • Translate promotional materials
  • Build lodging inventory
  • Sales Missions

 You will need to submit the Partner Participation Form every year to express interest in participating in the CTO’s international tourism program opportunities. The form is distributed every spring. Please contact Hope Smith to be added to this distribution list. 

Overview

Type: Marketing promotion 

For: Tourism partners and businesses

OEDIT division: Colorado Tourism Office

One of the best and least expensive ways to promote your destination to international tourists is by hosting international media on trade familiarization tours (FAMs). The Colorado Tourism Office brings top journalists and specialized travel trade writers to Colorado to experience what makes Colorado unique. After experiencing the state, writers then submit an article to major print and online publications, where your business can gain exposure to international visitors. 

You will need to provide one or more of the following:

  • lodging
  • meals
  • tours
  • access to attractions

How to participate
If you are interested in hosting international FAM trips, please email Hope Smith to add your business to our hosting list. The Colorado Tourism Office will contact you when your destination is a good fit for an international FAM itinerary. 

The CTO works with several in-market representatives across the globe to bring opportunities to destination partners and enable them to advertise internationally. Promotion planning generally starts in the fall for in-market advertising between January and March for summer travel. Winter promotion planning can begin as early as April each year for the following ski season. Other opportunities may present themselves throughout the year. 

These co-ops are consumer-facing promotions arranged by tour operators in Australia, France, Germany, Mexico and the United Kingdom.

How to participate
If you are interested in participating in future co-ops, please email Julie Dufault

  • Translate your promotional materials into other languages: The Colorado Tourism Office's international representatives can translate your marketing pieces at a discounted rate. 
  • Build your lodging inventory for international travelers: Receptive tour operators are wholesalers of tourism products who create packages to market to tour operators worldwide. These operators play a major role in getting your destination into tour itineraries globally, which expands your reach and audience considerably.
  • Join an International Sales Mission: The CTO arranges sales and media missions to our target international markets. Opportunities vary year-to-year and participation is limited.

How to participate
If you are interested in one of these opportunities, please email Julie Dufault

Program Managers

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