The end of Daylight Saving Time in the EU/UK presents a unique opportunity for DMOs to tap into seasonal shifts and attract visitors seeking cosy escapes and autumnal adventures.
Here are some AI-generated tips on how to maximise the potential in your marketing calendar.
Embrace the Longer Evenings:
- Highlight cosy experiences: Promote candlelit dinners at local restaurants, fireplace-warmed evenings in pubs or mountain cabins, and stargazing experiences under the darker skies. Emphasise the slower pace and intimate atmosphere created by the extra hour of evening light.
- Organize cosy activities: Host fall-themed workshops like baking sourdough bread, knitting wool scarves, or crafting autumn decorations. Partner with local artisans or shops to offer hands-on experiences that celebrate the cosy vibes of the season.
- Plan sunset events: Arrange sunset hikes, boat tours, or open-air cinema screenings to make the most of the extended twilight hours. Offer picnic baskets filled with local autumnal treats to enhance the experience.
- Promote "twilight hours" deals: Partner with restaurants, bars, and even museums to offer special discounts or happy hours valid during the duskier period.
Celebrate Autumnal Delights:
- Showcase fall foliage: Highlight scenic routes for driving or cycling through stunning landscapes bursting with autumn colours. Organize photography tours or painting workshops in picturesque locations.
- Focus on fall flavours: Partner with local farms and restaurants to showcase seasonal menus featuring pumpkins, apples, pears, and other autumnal ingredients. Offer cooking classes or wine tastings featuring regional delights.
- Celebrate local harvest festivals: Promote traditional harvest festivals, pumpkin carving competitions, or apple-picking experiences to connect visitors with the local autumnal rhythm.
- Organise outdoor adventures: Arrange guided hikes through vibrant forests, kayaking tours on serene lakes reflecting the changing colours, or horseback riding excursions through stunning countryside.
Embrace the Change and Recharge:
- Promote wellness retreats: Highlight spa packages, yoga sessions in nature, or mindfulness workshops focused on inner balance and seasonal renewal. Create itineraries for "detox weekends" with healthy autumnal meals and relaxing activities.
- Offer cultural experiences: Promote museums with captivating autumn-themed exhibits, art galleries showcasing works inspired by the changing season, or historical attractions illuminated by the softer evening light.
- Highlight family-friendly activities: Organise pumpkin carving contests, Halloween-themed scavenger hunts, or family movie nights under the stars. Make the most of the longer evenings for quality family time.
Remember:
- Target the right audience: Tailor your marketing campaigns to specific traveller segments who might be interested in cosy escapes, autumnal activities, or seasonal wellness experiences.
- Partner with local businesses: Collaborate with restaurants, hotels, farms and cultural institutions to create a holistic and authentic autumnal experience for your visitors.
- Embrace social media: Share stunning visuals of fall foliage, cosy evenings and autumnal activities using relevant hashtags and engaging captions. Encourage user-generated content with contests and interactive challenges.
- Extend the season: While the end of DST is a specific event, your autumnal marketing campaign can span the entire fall season, attracting visitors throughout the period.
By creatively leveraging the end of DST and the beauty of autumn, DMOs can attract visitors seeking a delightful escape, recharge their brand image with seasonal flair, and create lasting memories for travellers eager to savour the changing year. Remember, autumn is more than just shorter days; it's a chance to embrace cosy comforts, celebrate natural beauty, and find inner balance. Capture the essence of the season and let your marketing campaign blossom with autumnal delight!
