Summer is coming, and vacation time means that almost every area of the country will be receiving visitors.  Whether they are nearby residents who have time to explore because of time off from work, or international travelers who have come from afar, they bring with them tourist dollars that will be especially welcome after this long winter.

How can you best attract tourists?  In most cases the key is to band together with others in your area to create an attractive destination with a mix of shops, cafes and restaurants (and perhaps even overnight accommodations).  As vacancies crop up in your area you might work with your Chamber of Commerce to actively seek the types of businesses that will remedy any deficiencies.

Take a look at your streetscape (or mall) from a visitor’s standpoint. Is parking well-marked? Is there signage that is welcoming and helpful?  Are there benches, trees, good lighting and other amenities to make the area inviting? Do you have common open hours, especially for those coming to dine at the restaurants and wanting to browse after dinner?

It is worthwhile taking a look at individual businesses to make sure that their storefronts and signage are fresh and attractive. If that is not the case, check to see if there are municipal funds that could be applied towards improvements. Sometimes a coat of paint and a little encouragement is all that is needed.

Customer service also needs to be up to high standards in all businesses.  Getting together to share best practices, and visiting each others shops and restaurants frequently, can set a tone that visitors will find welcoming.

The final component needs to be promotion.  On Monroe Street we put together a shopping guide for our street that is revised once a year and paid for by contributions from all the businesses (although even those who don’t pay are included).  We have joint promotional videos and a calendar of events throughout the year.  Although we’re not allowed to use them in our area, street banners can be a very effective way to promote upcoming activities, and give the area a sense of cohesiveness and excitement.

Happy Retailing,

Carol “Orange” Schroeder