Plan B Marketing: Tom Horsch

Plan B Marketing - Thomas Horsch - www.PlanBmkting.com

Opportunities in Tourism Related Businesses


Business Experience related to Damascus, Virginia

Trail Town USA


What Kind of Business?

• Evaluate Your Assets

• Look at Underserved Markets

• Combine Businesses

• Partner with Other Business and Agencies

• Accept Risk


Evaluate Your Assets

• The Virginia Creeper Trail

• It’s the Geography!– 1600 feet descent from the NC State Line to

Damascus– Through the National Forest along the

mountain streams– Easiest most beautiful bike ride in the world


Look at Underserved Markets:Bike Rental & Shuttle Companies in

Damascus• The bike shuttle/bike

rental business first started in 1991. Prior to this, there were no bike shuttle/rental businesses to serve the tourist population coming to the Creeper Trail.

2004 brought a new look to Adventure Damascus


Creeper Trail Cottages

• Creeper Trail Cottages were opened in 2000 to serve as vacation rental units. Prior to this, only a small handful of B&B’s existed for lodging. This significantly impacted the establishment of the “family vacation” market in Damascus.


Creeper Trail Hostel

• Creeper Trail Hostel was opened in 2004 to serve as lodging for Scout Groups, Church Groups and Family Groups who wanted affordable lodging one notch above primitive camping.


“ain't nothin’ fancy”

• For $150 per night , this barn converted to bunk-house can sleep up to 40 people. It has kitchen facilities and a great swimming hole too! Marketing of this facility was done via internet web site only, at a cost of $100. The Hostel has been booked every weekend, March through mid-November by groups using the trails in Damascus.


Combine Businesses:Bike Shuttle & Rental Business

= Retail Store Sales

• Bike rental business drives the retail business.

• Canoe Livery customers need camping.

Bikers being unloaded at Whitetop Station


Partnerships, Affiliations, Cooperation

Form relationships with other businesses– Guide Service Needs Lodging Service– Guide Service Needs Help Marketing– Guide Service Needs Food for Clients– Scouts Need Activities – Canoe Livery– Hostels/Campground Needs Scouts– Scouts Need Campgrounds– Scouts Tell Other Scouts!


Another Outfitter in Damascus?

• SunDog Outfitter was opened in 2003 to serve the outdoor gear buying crowd. In combination with Mt Rogers Outfitters, Damascus has become a destination for those shopping for outdoor gear.


RISK!!!

“It's not because things are difficult that we dare not venture. It's because we dare not venture that they are difficult.

”

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/it-s_not_because_things_are_difficult_that_we/214305.html




The Damascus Old Mill Inn & Conference Center

• In 2002 an old historic mill was restored and converted into a lodging, dining and conference facility. The Old Mill allowed Damascus to attract meetings and special entertainment venues that we were unable to accommodate before.


Business Has Risks!

• In 2008 The Old Mill restaurant was closed and room occupancy at the Inn was reduced to zero.

• It’s been empty ever since


Recommended Reading

• “The E-Myth Revisited” – Michael Gerber

– Three parts to a business person• Entrepreneur• Technician• Manager

– Balance all three within your organization


Enjoy the Ride!

www.PlanBmkting.com

Plan B Marketing: Tom Horsch

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