TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

Outdoor adventure, health & wellness and road trip themes continue to dominate the pulse in our early leisure tourism recovery. The Tourism Development team continues to focus on our domestic drive and fly markets with targeted projects directed toward key clients in these markets.

Calls from travel advisors across the U.S. continue to increase as they not only are booking returning visitors but also sending new clients who may have only utilized their preferred travel advisor for overseas holidays. Our market re-alignment with Senior Tourism Development Manager Robyn Gallegos now only handling Canada, the United States and Mexico is allowing us to sharpen our focus on key markets during the post-pandemic travel recovery. We have also been able to introduce Greater Palm Springs to travel advisors in additional direct fly markets thanks to new air service from Alaska, Southwest and American.

Partnering with Visit California on domestic recovery efforts and marketing campaigns also remain a priority. Booking numbers halfway through our current campaign with receptive tour operator Hotelbeds is proving Greater Palm Springs' popularity with the nearly 100,000 U.S.-based travel advisors exposed to the campaign.

Internationally, we are actively planning future projects for Canada and Mexico, as those markets have traditionally been very strong for our destination, and consumer sentitment research suggests travel may rebound sooner in those markets. In the overseas markets, we have begun preparations for our eventual return, as these markets are critical for our low and shoulder seasons. P.R. efforts in the U.K, France and Germany will begin in the coming months followed by trade efforts later in the year. As the recovery progress across the globe remains fluid and unpredictable, our international strategy will flex accordingly to ensure our resources are deployed efficiently.

Our Tourism Foundation is planning some wonderful fundraising events and activations this year, both in-person and online. On May 20, we are excited to visit the JW Marriott Desert Springs for an afternoon golf tournament. No need to have a swing like Tiger to participate, as there will be fun activities for everyone. Look for more details in the coming weeks. 

If you have any questions about Tourism Development, please contact:
Gary Orfield, Director of Tourism Development​
gorfield@gpscvb.com | 760.969.1335