NEWS RELEASE
DESTINATION MARKETING GUELPH
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Destination Marketing Guelph (DMG), working in collaboration with the City of Guelph’s Tourism Department, announced the launch of its new tourism brand, digital resources and marketing campaign this week with an appeal to GATHER HERE.
The Gather in Guelph website, social media channels, brand and message aim to inspire awareness and enthusiasm about Guelph among travellers, sports groups and meeting professionals. It highlights the array of visitor attractions and activities throughout Guelph and Wellington County from amazing downtown eateries, outdoor adventures, historic discoveries and arts and culture. The new website also offers an events calendar and a new “Plan your Tip” itinerary building tool that visitors can use to plan the exact Guelph experience they’re looking for.
The new destination marketing strategy is funded by the Municipal Accommodation Tax on local short-term-stay accommodations including hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and shared accommodation providers. The tax revenue will also be used to provide sponsorships and grants to local tourism operators to help support their objectives to build tourism-focused events and experiences. In the coming weeks, DMG and the City will make three new funding and sponsorship streams available to achieve these aims and look forward to sharing these opportunities with the community.
To help inform the marketing campaign and engage with residents, in February 2024, Destination Marketing Guelph (DMG) asked “How Do You Gather, Guelph?” in a community social media campaign that invited residents to answer questions such as “What is your favourite way to celebrate” and “What is your favourite free event”. More than 100 submissions highlighted popular eateries, green spaces, and community gathering.
This collective input will help guide messaging for this summer’s “Gather Here” advertising campaign to encourage overnight stays and ‘daycations’ to Guelph.
“Destination Marketing Guelph extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone in the community who participated in our social media campaign,” says Hilary McCann, Executive Director, Destination Marketing Guelph. “Guelph has so many unique places and experiences and it was really important to us to focus on collaboration and learning from our community. Asking our community for their input allows us to amplify our city’s highlights with great, authentic information.”
The campaign also launches with a promotion to celebrate the Toronto Argonauts running their preseason training camp at the University of Guelph stadium again this year. The promotion invites people to book a stay at the University’s Gordon Hall residence and guest rooms over Friday, May 31, 2024 and receive two free tickets to the final preseason game that evening when the Argos take on rivals, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Three themes prevalent in community responses
“We’re committed to promoting Guelph as a premier destination for residents and visitors – which is nowhere more evident than in the insights shared by our community members. We are proud that our citizens tell us they love to show off Guelph to their friends and family when they come to visit,” said McCann.
The five-week campaign in early 2024 saw dozens of participants echoing sentiments of community, appreciation for nature, and culinary delights as the definition of ‘the Guelph experience.’”
Celebrating Community Unity
Guelph residents do indeed love to gather here, and highlighted signature events like the Hillside Festival, Art on the Street, the new Spirit of the Season holiday market downtown, and the Guelph & District Multicultural Festival. From cultural celebrations to artistic showcases, gatherings that unite residents and visitors alike took the top spot.
Embracing Nature's Bounty
Nature enthusiasts revel in Guelph's green sanctuaries along the Speed River, Guelph Lake, Exhibition and Riverside Parks, and the University of Guelph's Arboretum. Canoeing or kayaking the Speed River were also noted as enjoyable pastimes here.
“Guelph’s thoughtful approach has meant that our urban greenness has grown in the past 20 years. This is a key asset for residents and is very useful in attracting visitors to a place that helps them escape busy city life,” notes McCann.
Exploring a Culinary Tapestry
Guelph's culinary landscape emerged as a flavourful favourite that blends innovation with tradition. From gourmet burgers at Park Eatery to tantalizing Mexican-Canadian fusion fare at Einstein's Café, the city's diverse dining scene captivates palates and ignites conversations.
Read more about the community input in this blog.
For more information on the Guelph: Gather Here tourism campaign or to sign up for the upcoming DMG newsletter, visit www.gatheringuelph.com/about.
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