As spring’s warm weather invites us outside to enjoy nature’s new blooms, infinite new possibilities awaken around and within us. Waking up to warmer mornings reminds us that soaking up the summer sun on the weekends simply isn’t enough. Everyone deserves a vacation, including you!
There are so many beautiful cultures around the world to experience and witness, so where does your wanderlust take you first? A secluded, tropical island? A desert safari? A cool, mountainous countryside? A bustling metro city?
As you begin to plan for your dream vacation, besides picking a date, setting a budget, and choosing a companion (if you’re not going solo ✌️,) how and where does your travel research begin?
For us, breathtakingly beautiful images featuring a sprawling, natural landscape, animals in their natural habitat, and videos that show visitors having the time of their lives make us want to click ‘Book Trip’ ASAP!
Destination Marketing Organizations (or DMOs) are state-recognized non-profit agencies—and they all share the same mission: to grow the economic development of their respective cities, towns, and communities by attracting tourists and promoting the culture and experiences that make their locations unique.
Though nothing quite matches the awe-inspiring feeling of experiencing a new place like traveling somewhere for the first time, DMOs are some of the biggest and most innovative enthusiasts of using visual content to fill in the gaps.
Ready to plan for the best road trip of your life?
Let’s GO!
Check out the list below to see how 10 domestic destinations use captivating content to remind visitors that their dreams of traveling can become a reality.
- First stop? Spokane, Washington
Let’s start on the West Coast (as some say, the best coast!)
As the most Northern West state in America, Washington State is one of the best places to visit if you want to experience the varying terrain, weather, food, nature, and cultures of the Pacific Northwest. Spokane was originally inhabited by the Spokane people, the Native American tribe the city is named after, which means ‘children of the sun.’
Visit Spokane, the local DMO responsible for attracting visitors and promoting tourism to the city, beautifully balances sharing digital content that informs locals and visitors of the impact of the city’s economic development on the native peoples while also highlighting the PNW’s ecological wonders and new safe spaces.
The Visit Spokane website puts key city landmarks like Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls front and center. And, to make it easy on visitors who want an itinerary of must-visit spots to follow—they curate lists of seasonal activities and activities accessible for specific travel groups, like families. Browse Visit Spokane’s PhotoShelter Library to see the full range of landscapes, spaces, and activities you can explore when visiting
Fun facts to know about the city of Spokane, Washington:
- It’s known to be the birthplace of Father’s Day.
- The city’s nickname is Hooptown USA, because they host the world’s largest basketball tournament, Spokane Hoopfest, every year.
- In 1974, the city hosted the first-ever environmentally-themed World’s Fair.
Follow Visit Spokane on Twitter and Facebook to learn more fun facts about the city, and check out their Instagram Reels to explore the coolest spots around town!
- Next up: Bend, Oregon
If you’ve been to Oregon, chances are you’ve been to Portland—one of America’s coolest places to live and visit in 2023, according to a Forbes article that cited professional travel experts.
While the city of Bend, Oregon might not be on your radar, once you check out Visit Bend’s website and social feeds, you’ll definitely add it to your Travel Bucket List!
How does the Visit Bend team use visual content to feed a traveler’s appetite for getting to know a city before they visit?
Justin Keyes Bundy, Visit Bend’s Digital Content Manager wrote and told us:
“We strive to amplify the experiences of those exploring Bend, Oregon daily. By using PhotoShelter, our local content contributors can submit their assets to our digital team at a moment’s notice. This workflow has led to more diverse, creative, and engaging content across our various publishing channels. At the end of the day, we all want to easily share and celebrate the wonderful outdoor recreational activities the area has to offer.”
Browse Visit Bend’s PhotoShelter Library to see Bend’s beautifully versatile PNW landscape you can take advantage of in Bend, Oregon!
Follow Visit Bend on Twitter and Facebook to see the city through a local’s eyes, and check out the Reels on their Instagram account to see all the coastal fronts and mountain peaks you can explore!
- Travel over to Carson City, Nevada
When most people think of traveling to Nevada, they envision a wild weekend in Las Vegas or a breezy getaway in Reno or Lake Tahoe. As the capital of Nevada since 1864, Carson City’s rich history and vast natural landscapes are two of the main city features that the Visit Carson City team focuses on highlighting in their website and digital content.
The Visit Carson City website homepage features a captivating video montage that showcases the region’s beautiful coastal views, vintage railway trains, and sensational eateries. If you love exploring your surroundings on foot or by bike, you can use Carson City’s trail system map to plan excursions. (Plus, check out the free interactive pass they created so visitors on a tight budget can explore more!) Fun fact: You can even visit the inventor of the Ferris Wheel’s home in Carson City!
How has using a digital asset management platform like PhotoShelter impacted this creative storytelling team?
“PhotoShelter has been essential for our team—not only for keeping our assets organized, but it’s also helped us get assets out quickly to partners to showcase Carson City as a beautiful place to visit.”
Lydia Beck, Visit Carson City’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager
Browse Visit Carson City’s PhotoShelter Library to see the visual content this DMO team organizes, curates, and shares every day across their digital channels.
P.S. Carson City just hosted the first-ever Mark Twain Days Festival, honoring the literary hero who spent time in and loved Nevada. Lydia said they didn’t have any new assets created to promote it ahead of time because it was their first time hosting and producing this event.
Instead, Lydia said that they were able to “search for photos in our old PhotoShelter galleries that matched the current event promotion needs, instead of spending time and money we didn’t have to create new assets. It was really helpful and saved us a lot of time because it was super easy to search for relevant assets using metadata and keywords.” Check out this beautifully produced Instagram reel to see how they used archived video assets to create a promotional video before the event!
Follow Visit Carson City on Twitter and Facebook, and check out their Instagram Reels to explore the city’s mountain peaks, city streets, and Trailways! We’re excited to see how the Visit Carson City team continues to innovatively use visual storytelling to promote their special city—and we can’t wait to visit Carson City soon!
- Going to California? Please be sure to Visit Big Bear!
Picture this: You’re watching dawn break over the San Bernardino Mountains and the rock of tiny waves lapping against the lakeside dock underneath you shakes you out of a vacation daydream. With a map in one hand and warm tea in the other, you think: “What a life! What should I explore today?”
Big Bear, California is a small inland California city that sits along the shore of a manmade lake and right between the San Bernardino National Forest. The city’s high elevation and ideal year round weather conditions make it a perfect destination for travelers that want to experience the thrill of a snowsport getaway and for those who want to stroll and explore the leisurely lakeside community.
In fact, throughout the years, Big Bear has been a hot spot and host to Hollywood celebrities, famous film productions, and an annual Oktoberfest festival. The city also hosted the first Winter X games in 1997 and has since gained popularity with professional athletes as a training destination.
Their website homepage features sensational seasonal imagery to draw visitors in, and right now they’re featuring gorgeous mountain blooms you’d see if you were hiking around Big Bear.
Want to see what else the Big Bear region offers? Follow Visit Big Bear on Facebook and Instagram, or browse their PhotoShelter Library to explore more through visual content!
- ✈️ Y’all ready? Phoenix, Arizona is next!
According to a recently published Forbes.com article, travel experts say that Phoenix, Arizona is one of the best places to visit in the United States in 2023. If you want to know why you should visit, just head to their website homepage to see a stunning video montage of the incredible cultural experiences available to you.
To invite visitors to explore the city through their website first, Visit Phoenix also curates lists of seasonal activities, accommodation and restaurant deals, and local events. The website also features the city’s mission statement which acknowledges the native people who originally inhabited the land, and how the modern locals honor and celebrate their tribal traditions
It reads: “The story of Phoenix’s innovation began with the Hohokam people, who created canals through the Sonoran Desert that fed a civilization for over a thousand years. Today, this spirit inspires ideas that shape our future. An unbreakable brightness and vitality have brought an entire city to heights others never dreamed possible.
Phoenix’s culture impresses upon the locals and visitors beyond the boundaries of the city’s limits. If you want to see what lies beyond the city limits at a glance, look no further than the Visit Phoenix website and you’ll scroll down to see a beautifully designed map that highlights must-visit landmarks and cultural centers. Sports fans can also get their fix by checking out an NBA game. Go Phoenix Suns! NBA season!
How does Visit Phoenix like using PhotoShelter to speed up the content marketing team’s workflow? Kim Goins, Visit Phoenix’s Marketing Projects Manager said, “We love working with the PhotoShelter product and I’ve been singing its praises to other DMOs!”
Browse the Visit Phoenix PhotoShelter Library to see how the imagery they archive differs from what they share on Facebook and Instagram (and don’t forget to hit those ‘Follow’ buttons)!
- Oh my heck! We made it to: Salt Lake City, Utah!
Although Conde Nast Traveler listed Park City, Utah as one of 2023’s top domestic destinations to visit, we think Salt Lake City (or SLC as the locals call it,) should also be on your travel bucket list. Situated just 30 miles Southeast of Park City, Salt Lake City was originally founded and inhabited by the Ute Indians, then the Mormons, and now, according to a 2022 Realtor.com report, Salt Lake City has become a popular destination with tech startup companies, young professionals, and new retirees who are all looking to plant roots in an affordable, walkable city.
Fun facts to know about Salt Lake City:
- SLC is home to the world’s first Kentucky Fried Chicken.
- The first settlers and locals today still believe the lake is inhabited by a monster!
- The Great Salt Lake is actually 3 to 10 times saltier than the ocean, and you can actually float (and eat the salt) in the Great Salt Lake! One of Morton Salt’s biggest plants is near SLC.
This popular Utah valley is known for The Greatest Snow on Earth, but the region is pleasant to visit during any season, making it popular with outdoor enthusiasts. That’s why the Visit Salt Lake City team mainly focuses its content on highlighting the natural beauty of the valley and the people who bring the community to life.
Check out the highlight reel featured on their website homepage to get a quick glimpse at Salt-Lake-City-living. Plus, if you tuned in to the 2022 Winter Olympics on television, you might have seen some of Visit Salt Lake City’s content come across your screen!
The city’s religious history also attracts thousands of faith-based visitors every day of the year. But interestingly enough, SLC is known to be one of the Gayest Cities in America! Can’t believe it? It’s true–and after reading this relatable statement, we know safe spaces and experiences are within reach in SLC.
The Visit SLC website reads: “We get it. When most people think of Salt Lake, a progressive queer scene probably isn’t the first… or second… or, um, even third thing that comes to mind. But almost any LGBTQ visitor who’s been here before, and nearly every LGBTQ local who calls the city home, will tell you, it’s an inclusive urban destination with tons of super gay stuff going on. In fact, Advocate magazine listed us as one of the Ten Queerest Cities in America. (Even gayer than L.A.!)”
Browse Visit Salt Lake’s PhotoShelter Library to see how they use visual assets on social media to attract digital visitors to the stunning SLC Valley (and don’t forget ‘Follow’ them)!
- Head up north to Jackson Hole, Wyoming
If you’re into snow sports, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is probably already on your Travel Bucket List. If you’re not, it might not be—but Visit Jackson Hole’s digital content highlights a few reasons why it should be.
The mountain town of Jackson Hole sits between two mountain ranges and borders the state of Idaho, so the wintery terrain creates a thriving ecosystem for mountain animals (and ski bums!) to thrive in. In addition to sharing content that highlights nature’s beauty, Visit Jackson Hole’s content team also shares content that teaches sustainable lifestyle and traveling practices to visitors to ensure Jackson Hole Stays Wild, a motto they promote on the website’s homepage.
Not a skier or snowboarder? No worries! There are plenty of other ways to explore the city and Visit Jackson Hole’s website makes it easy to see all the options in one place. Click ‘ACTIVITIES’–the first navigation menu item on their website homepage. Once you’re there, you can filter by activities by appropriateness for certain age groups, the date range of your visit, or by the season you hope to travel in!
Also, it’s one of the richest counties in the United States (thanks to an influx of celebrities who have moved there due to beneficial tax policies,) but right now their website features a $400 flight promotion. Is a good deal enough to entice you to book without knowing more about a destination? Take the chance and do it now!
Feel free to check out Visit Jackson Hole’s PhotoShelter Library to see never-before-seen views of the valley, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s new in town!
- It’s not a city, it’s a state! It’s MI-SS-I-SS-I-PP-I!
Mississippi is a special southern state. From the very first moment you visit their website, you’ll feel the warm welcome of belonging. As you scroll and watch a 30-second video showing a young family exploring the great outdoors, the music-filled nightlife, and the cultural centers of the state, a designed text graphic lays over the video and reads: ‘Let’s Wander.’
This soft reminder to any person on a journey simply confirms that not all who wander, are lost, and as you keep scrolling, the next statement reads: “Mississippi is a state for all those who are wanderers at heart.” Honey, I’m home! ✈️
The Visit Mississippi marketing team invests heavily in developing narrative-based visual stories because the people and organizations that invest in communities better are the folks visitors really should meet. Watch the Wanderers Welcome YouTube Series to see how they created short, but impactful promotional videos to showcase landmarks, culturally important spaces, and the people that make the state of Mississippi the rich place it is.
Check out Visit Mississippi’s PhotoShelter Library to see the content they choose from to promote their state every day and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on statewide news!
- Now, we’re beach-bound! Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, here we come!
Katie Hunter, Visit Myrtle Beach’s Content Manager wrote, “The VMB team uses PhotoShelter to share and collaborate with other teams and creators so that the best photo assets can be used to tell the story of The Beach. PhotoShelter makes it easy for us all to share large files, download images for our own projects, and upload new files from our team of content creators.”
What type of images does the Visit Myrtle Beach marketing team choose and use to tell and sell the story of Myrtle Beach? Let’s take a look!
Myrtle Beach is known to travelers for two things, mainly: Beaches and golf. With over 90 courses to tee up at, Myrtle Beach is a golfer’s paradise! The 60-mile-long beach known as The Grand Strand (click the link to watch a YouTube video showing the 60-mile stretch in under 60 seconds,) also offers visitors of all abilities tons of recreational options besides sunbathing. And the wide variety of bustling nightlife and restaurant options will satisfy all the good-time travelers!
Check out Visit Myrtle Beach’s PhotoShelter Library to see the content they browse and choose from daily to share across their digital channels. And, follow them on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok–traveler’s choice!
- Last Stop: Chapel Hill, NC
This little slice of North Carolina is nicknamed ‘The Southern Part of Heaven.’ After finding out that 1950s writer, William Meade Prince coined the phrase in his memoir about growing up there, it all makes sense. Some other interesting facts about Chapel Hill: Since 1996, Chapel Hill’s fire engines have been painted blue. It’s home to America’s oldest public university, and the first planetarium that was built in the south—The Morehead Planetarium.
Their website’s homepage features a sliding carousel of images and simple one-word questions overlaid on top–that any visitor probably would emphatically answer, ‘YES!’ to like: ‘Thirsty? Hungry? Art-lover?’ And the mouth-watering images that accompany them feature southern barbecue plates, beer flights, local talent, botanical gardens, public parks, lively sporting arenas, and artwork—the main city attractions any new traveler wouldn’t want to miss.
Beyond the quaint reputation Chapel Hill is known for, how does the Visit Chapel Hill marketing team use visual storytelling to attract visitors?
“PhotoShelter has been a tremendous asset for sharing photos and video with our marketing agency of record and other stakeholders in our industry. Our photos are available to them at their convenience which frees up time for our team to think more creatively.”
Tina Fuller, Visit Chapel Hill’s Website and Social Media Coordinator
BrowseVisit Chapel Hill’s incredibly organized PhotoShelter Library to see more of what the city has to offer, and how it’s transformed over the years! Plus, follow them on Instagram or subscribe to their YouTube channel to see what’s going down on The Hill!
See More, Travel More
As Zach Kitschke, CMO of Canva recently said, “This is the era of the visual economy. Thriving in it requires organizations and their employees to think and work differently.”
By splashing captivating video montages and stunning landscape images across their websites and social feeds, these domestic Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) flood our minds with stories that show us that planning a quick escape can be within our reach!
Use this map we made for you to visualize what a road trip to all of the places in this list would look like!
Want to learn more about how travel marketers create award-winning visual stories that entice more visitors to visit their destinations every year?
