Reawakening to Nature: Strategies to Attract Eco-Travelers

Take, for example, the Wild Azalea Trail in Kisatchie National Forest. Every spring, these beautiful flowering shrubs (Rhododendron canescens) bloom for a very short time. Here are some ways land managers and DMOs can work together to inform travelers about this beautiful event: 

• Land managers can share information about the blooming period and send photos to the DMO.
• Land managers can identify the best parts of the trail to see the azaleas, and the DMO can inform visitors through channels including their website, social media, brochures and signage.
• The DMO can share parking information and details about guided hikes. 

Another opportunity to create inspirational and informative content is to tell the story of the land. Land managers are often treasure troves of history about the land they serve, and DMOs can use their knowledge to create meaningful content that strikes a chord with potential visitors.

For example, the establishment of Kisatchie as a national forest is due to the work of Caroline Dormon, the first woman employed by the U.S. Forestry Service. Though she had no formal science education, Dormon was a well-respected conservationist, even consulted by renowned figures like Thomas Edison. Stories like Caroline Dormon’s help to forge a human connection with the land that appeals to visitors.

Tie in the narrative of the importance of natural resources to its people, like the current restoration of endangered canebrakes to continue ancestral basketry practices. In Louisiana, with the expertise of a USDA conservationist, the Chitimacha tribe established a river cane patch on the reservation. Think about how you can inspire travelers with these stories or even help support these types of projects. 

Increase Staff Knowledge and Partner with Local Experts 

Equip your team with the knowledge they need to create informative content and guide travelers. For example, the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana CVB enhanced the visitor experience for the Creole Nature Trail by enrolling one of their adventure guides in a local master naturalist program. This training helped them gain insights into the area's unique ecosystems, including the beautiful coastal cheniers, a critical habitat for migrating birds.

By collaborating with land managers and environmental specialists, DMOs can also play a key role in habitat restoration and traveler education. In 2011, the St. Landry Parish Tourist Commission opened a sustainable visitor center and, with the help of a local botanist, started a coastal prairie revegetation project, a small-scale example of this critically imperiled ecosystem. Today, travelers can tour this tall grass prairie, often popping with color from bright wildflowers and teeming with happy pollinators. 

This project is particularly effective because it focuses on native species of a local ecotype. When implementing sustainability programs, focus on programs that promote local biodiversity to avoid greenwashing. Diverse habitats support bird and wildlife populations and draw a wide range of visitors, from hikers to birdwatchers.

By banding together, DMOs and land managers can attract travelers while fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment, preserving your destination’s natural treasures for future generations.