Communications Toolkit

Inspire action with confidence.

Craft the Right Message for Every Audience

From policymakers to community leaders, every stakeholder needs a message that resonates. This section offers ready-to-use guidance and examples showing how to communicate travel’s economic, social and civic value, framed to meet the priorities of each audience.

Keep messages focused on impact and stewardship. Use ROI data, success stories and visuals that connect promotion to measurable returns. Highlight how marketing investment protects local jobs and keeps your destination competitive. Share outcomes rather than process, since boards and funders want to see results and accountability. Always link communication back to community benefit and long-term economic stability.

Lead with facts and fiscal clarity. Use concise, neutral language to show how destination promotion funding safeguards local revenue, creates jobs and supports infrastructure. Reinforce accountability by noting audits, oversight and measurable returns. Frame destination promotion as an investment that reduces pressure on general budgets rather than a cost. Keep tone respectful, collaborative and focused on shared outcomes.

Frame your message around alignment and opportunity. Use consistent data and talking points so hotels, attractions and other partners can echo the same narrative. Encourage partners to share their own examples that show return on collaboration. When appropriate, provide ready-to-send templates for joint letters, opinion pieces or testimony. Emphasize unity and credibility through shared messaging and community goals.

Use plain, relatable language that connects travel to everyday life. Show how visitors help sustain local restaurants, events and public spaces. Pitch stories that center on residents, small businesses and shared wins. Be proactive with editorial boards, offering credible data and clear context before debates arise. Keep messages transparent, accessible and focused on community pride.

Insights from 2024 Brand USA ROI Analysis
ROI per dollar invested
$23.37
Incremental visitor spending generated
$5.9B
Total economic impact
$12.8B
Tax revenue supported nationwide
$1.7B

Social Media Strategy

Social media extends the impact of in-person engagement by keeping conversations active. Use it to share updates, highlight community wins and build visibility for local partnerships. Coordinate with other stakeholders to amplify messages, repost each other’s content and tag local leaders or policymakers when appropriate to show collaboration in action.

Every post should highlight why your destination’s promotion matters. Start with a clear connection to the issue, then add local details that bring it to life. Pair your message with a strong visual—like a photo of your city, a visitor experience or a recognizable community landmark.

Keep the tone positive and forward-looking. Focus on progress, opportunity and the benefits travel brings to residents and businesses. Celebrate wins, share solutions and always emphasize how travel investment strengthens the local community.

Close with an action or insight: invite support, thank partners or point to upcoming efforts that show continued momentum.

Do’s
  • Do keep it concise and scannable – short paragraphs, clear points and punchy openings grab attention.
  • Do lead with the news or key insight – people scroll fast; make the value immediately obvious.
  • Do use visuals wisely – charts, images or videos can dramatically increase engagement.
  • Do tag relevant organizations, people or hashtags – increases reach and signals credibility.
  • Do stay consistent with tone and voice – professional, confident and clear works best for executives and industry-facing accounts.
  • Do engage with your audience – reply to comments, acknowledge mentions and encourage sharing.
  • Do cite data or credible sources – adds authority and trust, especially for economic or policy content.
  • Do consider timing and context – post when your audience is active and avoid insensitive timing (e.g., during a crisis).

 

Don’ts
  • Don’t clutter posts with hashtags 2–3 relevant ones are usually enough; too many look spammy.
  • Don’t use jargon or overly technical language keep it clear for a wide professional audience.
  • Don’t ignore engagement failing to respond to questions or comments can hurt credibility.
  • Don’t post unverified data or rumors credibility is everything, especially when addressing industry issues.
  • Don’t be reactive without context avoid hot-take posts that could backfire; pause and frame thoughtfully.
  • Don’t make everything about you or your organization – highlight industry trends, partners or broader impact when possible.
  • Don’t overcomplicate visuals cluttered graphics or long videos lose engagement.

 

Related Resources

lake scene
Research & Reports
Guide to TID
By Civitas
By Civitas
Funding for destination organizations is increasingly vulnerable, making stable, self-supported models more critical than ever.
Read More
Travel scene
Template
Social Media Post Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Example social content to help destinations share advocacy messages and highlight the impact of travel promotion.
Read More
Template
Letter to the Editor Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Concise, persuasive sample language for responding to local coverage or elevating travel issues in community publications.
Read More
roads
Template
Press Release Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
A media-ready format for announcing tourism milestones, funding wins or campaign launches.
Read More
bridge
Template
Op-Ed Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Example opinion piece framework to help destinations advocate publicly for travel investment and awareness.
Read More
washington monument
Toolkit
Power of Promotion: The Rationale
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Guidance to help communicate the economic and community value of destination marketing.
Read More
lake scene
Research & Reports
Guide to TID
By Civitas
By Civitas
Funding for destination organizations is increasingly vulnerable, making stable, self-supported models more critical than ever.
Read More
Travel scene
Template
Social Media Post Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Example social content to help destinations share advocacy messages and highlight the impact of travel promotion.
Read More
Template
Letter to the Editor Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Concise, persuasive sample language for responding to local coverage or elevating travel issues in community publications.
Read More
roads
Template
Press Release Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
A media-ready format for announcing tourism milestones, funding wins or campaign launches.
Read More
bridge
Template
Op-Ed Template
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Example opinion piece framework to help destinations advocate publicly for travel investment and awareness.
Read More
washington monument
Toolkit
Power of Promotion: The Rationale
By U.S. Travel Association
By U.S. Travel Association
Guidance to help communicate the economic and community value of destination marketing.
Read More
View All Resources