Special meetings during the Citynavigator Day 2019
Last Thursday 24 January, 60 city marketing professionals were not deterred by the cold and slipperiness. They came to 's-Hertogenbosch to meet each other, gain knowledge and exchange experiences during the annual Citynavigator Day.
With over 60 partners present, it was a full house. According to good Bosch custom, all travellers were served Bossche bollen and Brabant sausage rolls to start the day with a well-filled stomach.
The theme of the day was "special encounters". The starting point was the aboriginal symbol for "meeting place".
''A place where Aboriginal people meet, gather around, sitting in circles.''
This meeting place is often located around the campfire. This is where stories, knowledge and insights are shared and disseminated. By now, there are a number of tribal elders (such as Haarlem Marketing) whom we have welcomed to our campfire for quite some time. "Walkabouts" such as Veluwe ended up on a different path for some time, but have eventually returned to the old nest. We warmly welcome newcomers such as Tourism East Flanders and Marketing Groningen!
A look back at 2018: What did we all do?
The first session includes a look back at 2018. Pim Stoel (Project Manager Plaece) tells us what has been happening in terms of product development over the past year. Looking back, we see some great new developments available to all:
- Release of the Open Data Platform version 3
- The introduction and technical impact of the stricter AVG/GDPR legislation
- AVG-proof cookie notifications
- Reduce 404 pages caused by events that have already taken place
- Cross-selling with related items on a business page
- Putting entrepreneurs in the spotlight with promotions
- Routes based on cycling junctions
- Interactive stories with the Experience App
2019 and beyond! This is where we are heading in the coming years
In terms of product development, we naturally have some great developments and new functionalities in the pipeline. A small selection of the things we will be working on in the coming year:
- Easier way to link entrepreneurs and events to packages and itineraries
- Event registration form for website visitors
- Citynavigator Bookings
- Optimisation of website search
- Internationalisation (multilingualism of Open Data Platform interface)
- Improving findability in Google
- Richer range of unique routes
But we like to look wider and beyond pure product development in 2019. Hans Bodde (Manager Operations Insiders) takes everyone through the future perspective of Insiders and Citynavigator. We are busy formulating a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. We believe in a dot on the horizon. Where do we want to be in 8 years and how do we get there?
Download the presentation "Retrospective 2018"
Collaborations at product level: from joint idea to new development
Ruben Haverkamp (Account Manager Insiders) and Jeroen van Noort (Manager Routebureau Utrecht) explain how the partnership of Recreatieschap Drenthe, Routebureau Utrecht, Toerisme Veluwe Arnhem Nijmegen and Visit Flevoland is working together on the further development of the online route offering.
In 2019, we see many more great opportunities for jointly developing new tourism products. By combining issues and insights, the strongest possible product can be developed. By combining budgets, more can ultimately be realised at a smaller investment. The more founders, the more interesting it becomes!
The founders of new developments receive a kickback-fee on the sale of these new products, which they themselves can invest directly in other developments. In this way, we want to boost and stimulate the flywheel of joint development.
Download the presentation "Collaboration at product level
Break-out #1: DNA, storylines & customer journey: content creation on brand
Using a number of cases "from the field", it becomes clear that everything starts with a solid positioning: from DNA to brand story. During one of the four break-out sessions, Servia van de Laak (Internet Consultant Insiders) and Tim Bottelberghe(Tourism East Flanders) showed how 6 destinations in a region reinforce each other by building a common brand.
Download the presentation 'DNA, Storylines and Customer Journey
Breakout #2: The international visitor: "We welcome the Germans!"
Ruben Haverkamp (Account Manager Insiders) and Edwin Kok (Project Coordinator Euregio) zoom in on German guests in the Netherlands. Trends show that the number of German guests will almost double until 2030. Through some valuable insights, we can better respond to the needs of German guests. But the German is not a Dutchman... so how do you deal with this German guest? What are the differences compared to the Dutch? In this break-out session, you will learn all about our German guests.
Download the presentation "The international visitor
Lunch: kebab with sprouts
This year, lunch and drinks were provided by the Syrian staff of Yalla Yalla restaurant. This social enterprise grants newcomers from Syria a chance in the Dutch labour market. Special encounters such as 'kebab with sprouts' and personal stories about destination Netherlands gave the day an international flavour.
Breakout #3: Tryout Bookings: The lessons learned from Tripweb
What's involved when it comes to online bookings for local events and activities? Tripweb and Mirakels Amersfoort learned some important lessons that we can all benefit from. Amanda de Nijs (Editor-in-Chief Tripweb.nl) takes us through the "lessons learned" following the try-out of Citynavigator Bookings. The key insights are:
The invaluable value of customer service
- Top 3 most frequently asked questions
- Closing the entire customer journey
Download the presentation "Tryout bookings: Lessons learned from Tripweb"
Break-out #4: Collaboration as DMOs: How do we leverage each other's strengths (Case De Wadden)
Auke Buma (Account Manager Insiders) and Bouke Kors (Head of Leisure Marketing at Merk Fryslân) show us how UNESCO World Heritage Site The Wadden Sea is put on the international map. A collaboration between several DMOs, with a common database, a full-scale online ecosystem and international ambitions.
Download the presentation "Working together as DMOs"
Tourist of the future: Responding online to tourism trends
Servia van de Laak (Internet Consultant Insiders) shows us trends in tourism, with practical examples.
Trend #1:
More visitors. Not always the right ones. In 2050: 10 billion people & 1.8 billion tourists.
Trend #2:
Sustainable tourism. Not less CO2 emissions: but positive nature recovery and cherishing local culture.
Trend #3:
Visitors are looking for special experiences.
Trend #4:
Visitors are at their beck and call with technology & want a perfect online process.
Trend #5:
People want a personal connection with the smartest inside tips on travel.
Trend #6:
Ownership is becoming less important. The sharing economy is also making its appearance in tourism.
Download the presentation 'Tourist of the future
Who has the best viewed tourism website of 2018: The Citynavigator Awards 2019
Thijs Ploegmakers (Online Marketing Consultant Insiders) briefly looks back on 2018 with some interesting insights on online campaigns.
Closing the day will be Pascal Vleugels (Art Director Insiders). The moment when the question "who has the best viewed website of 2018?" will be answered.
Winners major cities:
Best viewed website:Maastricht
Biggest riser: Maastricht (+58%)
Small-city winners:
Best viewed website:Noordwijk
Biggest riser: Vught (+141%)
Winners major territories:
Best viewed website:Friesland
Biggest riser: Friesland (+190%)
Winners small areas:
Best viewed website:Veluwe
Biggest riser: Maashorst (+144%)
Winner of most innovative online concept:
The Utrechtse Heuvelrug advent calendar
Download the presentation "Citynavigator Awards 2019"
Wrap-up
All in all, we look back on a very successful Citynavigator day full of special encounters. Jeroen van Noort(Routebureau Utrecht) put it like this: "it was a good day with a nice turnout. You see each other at conferences but here you are all together for the same topic."
See you next year?
Will you be there again next year? Then send an e-mail now to:hallo@plaece.nl/enand book your spot in advance.