Hire the Top Rated Fractional CMO For Tourism

Ross Kernez is a digital marketer, community builder, mentor, and author. He is the founder of NYC-based SEO Meetup, a group of 2900 marketing professionals who meet monthly to network and discuss the latest trends and happenings in the industry.

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Published: 07.11.2024

As a Fractional CMO For Tourism, I leverage over 15 years of proven experience in driving significant business growth through strategic and innovative marketing solutions. My approach is designed to provide small businesses, start-ups, mid-sized and enterprise companies with the leadership and expertise they need, without the long-term commitment or high cost of a full-time executive. I have worked in the digital marketing field as an independent marketing consultant working with enterprise companies and startups—advising on Earned media (SEO, ASO, Content Marketing, Digital PR, Email Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Affiliate Marketing), Paid media (Paid Search, Paid Social, Programmatic, Media Strategy),Creative (Branding & Web design), CRO & UX.

By working with me, you gain access to top-tier marketing leadership and the ability to implement advanced marketing strategies that are tailored to your unique business goals. My expertise covers a wide range of industries, enabling me to bring a fresh, adaptable perspective to each client. From omni channel marketing and brand development to demand generation and go-to-market strategies, I ensure that your business stays ahead of the curve, benefiting from the latest marketing trends and insights. Whether you're looking to enter new markets, boost lead generation, or enhance your overall brand presence, I can help craft and execute a strategic marketing plan that aligns with your business objectives.

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Hire the Top Rated Fractional CMO For Tourism

"If you can work with Ross, make it happen — you won't regret it!"

— Jennifer Anderson

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Unlock your brand's full potential with a top-rated Fractional CMO For Tourism

In today’s fast-paced and competitive market, businesses need expert marketing leadership to stand out and drive growth. But hiring a full-time CMO can be costly and often unnecessary. That’s where a top-rated Fractional CMO comes in—offering the strategic expertise of a chief marketing officer without the overhead of a full-time hire.

As a Fractional CMO, I deliver customized marketing strategies tailored to your business needs. From optimizing your brand positioning to scaling digital marketing efforts, I provide the insights, leadership, and execution needed to achieve measurable results. Whether you're a startup looking to scale or an established company seeking to refine your strategy, I help unlock the true potential of your brand.

With proven success across diverse industries, I bring a fresh perspective and actionable solutions to every challenge. Partner with me, and together we’ll accelerate your business growth while staying agile and cost-effective. Ready to take your marketing to the next level? Let's connect!

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What can I bring to your company when you hire me as Fractional CMO For Tourism?

I find myself in a privileged position through hosting my marketing meetups, where I have access to a wealth of data alongside my fellow members. These gatherings serve as a fertile ground for the exchange of insights and information stemming from diverse industries. My team and I take it upon ourselves to meticulously gather and arrange this data, ensuring that every participant can reap the benefits from a broad pool of knowledge. As we all know, unstructured data holds little to no value, much like unmined gold lying dormant underground, waiting to be discovered and valued..

We delve into this data reservoir, sifting through to find and present the most valuable pieces of information — the golden nuggets that can offer substantial learning experiences to our attendees.

Would you be interested in granting your attendees access to this repository of golden opportunities?

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Experienced Fractional CMO For Tourism

I have worked in numerous large enterprises within the marketing & SEO departments. Taking these businesses up the search engine result pages (SERPS), these roles formed the bases of my experience.

I have also been fortunate enough to advise & consult numerous smaller and medium businesses across a wide array of verticals and this also greatly enhanced my knowledge about the market and of course how to implement a ‘search’ strategy to garner visibility and generate revenue.

Who is Ross Kernez?

With over 15+ years of experience, I specialize in building marketing systems that consistently attract and retain customers. My approach is rooted in meticulous processes, ensuring that every aspect of my work is efficient, scalable, and impactful. From complex tasks like SEO to comprehensive strategies, I design systems that minimize friction and cost while maximizing results.

Ross is deeply involved in the marketing and tech community, mentoring startups at organizations like Techstars and Starta. He is known for his expertise in search engine optimization, digital marketing, and leveraging data analytics for marketing success.

Here’s some feedback from someone who has worked with Ross

We worked with a fractional CMO for our tourism board, and the experience was incredible. They came in with a deep understanding of destination marketing and helped us reimagine how we presented our region to potential visitors. Their insights into digital marketing, particularly around SEO and social media, transformed our online presence, and we saw a noticeable increase in organic traffic to our website. They also helped us develop off-season strategies that kept visitors coming even during slower periods. Despite being part-time, they felt like a full-time partner. Their strategic guidance has been instrumental in helping us grow our tourism numbers.

— Liam E.

Hiring a fractional CMO was a game-changer for our tour company. We had struggled with positioning ourselves in a competitive market, but they helped us clarify our brand and create targeted campaigns that really resonated with adventure travelers. Their focus on enhancing our digital marketing efforts, particularly with social media and PPC advertising, helped us drive more bookings than ever before. They also introduced us to new ways of engaging with our customers, from tailored email campaigns to loyalty programs that have really improved our repeat visitor rate. Their impact was significant even though they weren’t full-time, and we’re very pleased with the results.

— Jake C.

Our experience with a fractional CMO for our tourism business exceeded expectations. They understood the nuances of our industry and quickly developed a marketing plan that aligned with our goals of attracting more international visitors. They helped us elevate our online presence, improving our SEO and creating compelling content that highlighted the unique experiences we offer. The CMO also crafted campaigns around local festivals and events to drive interest during off-peak seasons, which worked incredibly well. Their ability to bring data-driven strategies to the table ensured that our marketing efforts were effective and measurable. We’ve seen a substantial uptick in visitor engagement and bookings since working with them.

— Callum G.

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My Process

Let's Collaborate

1. Describe your project

2.Schedule a Call

3. Develop Strategic High Level Plan

4. Accountability on both sides

What should you expect from your Fractional CMO For Tourism

When working with a fractional CMO for tourism, you should expect someone who understands the unique aspects of marketing within the tourism sector, including destination branding, traveler behavior, and seasonality. Their role is to create and execute marketing strategies that attract visitors to destinations, tour services, or cultural experiences, while positioning your tourism brand effectively in a competitive landscape.

The fractional CMO will work on creating a strong brand identity for your tourism business or destination, focusing on what sets it apart. Whether it’s eco-tourism, adventure travel, or luxury experiences, they will help clarify your value proposition and ensure that it resonates with potential travelers. They will craft marketing campaigns that highlight the appeal of the destination, from its natural beauty and cultural heritage to its unique attractions. The goal is to create an emotional connection with travelers that inspires them to choose your location or service.

A significant part of the fractional CMO’s role will involve leveraging digital marketing to reach potential visitors. This includes optimizing your online presence, managing social media channels, and ensuring your website is equipped to convert visitors into bookings or inquiries. The CMO will also work on improving your search engine rankings through SEO strategies, helping to drive more organic traffic from travelers researching destinations or experiences online. Additionally, they may employ digital advertising strategies such as pay-per-click campaigns or social media ads targeted at specific traveler demographics.

Seasonality is a major consideration in tourism marketing, and a fractional CMO will help you manage the peaks and troughs in demand. They will create strategies that promote off-season travel or offer special packages during slower periods. This might include leveraging local events, festivals, or seasonal activities to attract visitors throughout the year.

Customer experience is vital in tourism, and the fractional CMO will help develop strategies that enhance visitor engagement before, during, and after their trip. This includes building customer loyalty through personalized marketing efforts such as tailored email campaigns, loyalty programs, and post-visit follow-ups. The CMO will also work on reputation management, ensuring your brand gets positive reviews and feedback on platforms like TripAdvisor, Google, and social media, where traveler opinions significantly influence potential visitors.

Lastly, a fractional CMO will align your tourism marketing strategy with your overall business goals. Whether you are focused on increasing international visitors, expanding into new markets, or promoting specific experiences, they will work across your teams to ensure that marketing, sales, and operations are integrated and working towards common objectives. The CMO’s data-driven approach will help you measure the effectiveness of campaigns, refine your strategies, and ensure that your marketing efforts deliver tangible results in terms of visitor numbers and revenue.

Topics that I can cover

Programmatic Marketing

Growth Marketing

Paid Search Marketing

Paid Social Marketing

Marketing Strategy

Digital PR

SEO Marketing

Social Media Marketing

FAQs

What is a Fractional CMO, and how does this role apply to the tourism industry?

A Fractional CMO, or Chief Marketing Officer, is a senior marketing executive who works with a company or organization on a part-time, project-based, or consultancy basis, providing expert marketing leadership without the need for a full-time hire. In the tourism industry, the role of a fractional CMO is particularly valuable because tourism businesses and destinations often have fluctuating marketing needs, depending on seasonal trends, events, and visitor demand. By hiring a fractional CMO, a tourism organization can access top-tier marketing strategy and leadership, tailored to their specific needs, without the financial burden of maintaining a full-time executive position.

In tourism, a Fractional CMO is responsible for creating and executing marketing strategies that increase visibility, attract visitors, and build long-term engagement with travelers. This involves understanding the unique attributes of a destination or tourism service and positioning it effectively in a competitive market. A key part of their role is to develop a compelling brand message that resonates with target audiences, whether they are domestic or international travelers, families, adventure seekers, or luxury vacationers.

A Fractional CMO for tourism typically handles a wide range of marketing functions, including destination branding, digital marketing, social media strategies, and partnerships with travel influencers or local businesses. Tourism marketing is often highly visual and emotional, as travelers are motivated by experiences and memories. The CMO will work to craft campaigns that tap into these emotions, showcasing the destination’s attractions, culture, natural beauty, or unique offerings. Whether you are promoting eco-tourism, cultural heritage tours, or luxury resorts, the fractional CMO ensures that your marketing efforts are aligned with the desires and expectations of your audience.

The tourism industry is also highly seasonal, with peaks and troughs in demand throughout the year. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies manage these fluctuations by creating targeted campaigns for peak seasons and strategies to boost visitation during off-seasons. They may develop packages, special offers, or events that entice travelers to visit during slower periods, ensuring that your business or destination maintains a steady flow of visitors year-round.

Another critical aspect of the Fractional CMO’s role in tourism is digital marketing. The way travelers research, plan, and book their trips has changed dramatically with the rise of digital platforms, from social media to travel booking sites. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies build a strong online presence, optimizing their websites for search engines, leveraging digital advertising, and creating engaging social media content. They ensure that the brand is visible and attractive to potential visitors across all digital channels, helping to drive traffic to the company’s website and convert interest into bookings or inquiries.

Additionally, a Fractional CMO in tourism focuses on enhancing the customer experience. In tourism, the visitor journey begins long before they arrive at their destination and continues after they leave. The CMO helps create marketing touchpoints that engage travelers at every stage of their journey, from inspiration and research to booking, arrival, and post-visit follow-up. By building relationships with visitors through personalized marketing, loyalty programs, and post-trip communications, the Fractional CMO fosters repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth, which are crucial for the long-term success of any tourism business.

Why should a tourism company hire a Fractional CMO instead of a full-time CMO?

There are several compelling reasons why a tourism company might choose to hire a Fractional CMO instead of a full-time CMO. One of the most significant benefits is cost efficiency. Tourism businesses, especially smaller companies or those in niche markets, may not have the budget to support a full-time CMO, who typically commands a high salary along with benefits and bonuses. A Fractional CMO, on the other hand, provides the same level of marketing expertise and strategic leadership but on a part-time or project basis, allowing the company to allocate its resources more effectively. This approach is particularly useful for businesses that have specific marketing needs at certain times of the year, such as during peak travel seasons or for special promotions.

Flexibility is another major advantage of hiring a Fractional CMO. Tourism is a dynamic industry, with demand fluctuating throughout the year based on seasonality, economic factors, and travel trends. A full-time CMO may not always be necessary, especially during off-peak periods when marketing activities slow down. A Fractional CMO offers the flexibility to scale marketing efforts up or down as needed, ensuring that the business has the right level of marketing support at the right time. For example, a company might need a CMO’s expertise during the planning and execution of a major marketing campaign leading up to the high season but can scale back their involvement during quieter months.

Additionally, a Fractional CMO often brings a breadth of experience from working with multiple clients and across different industries. This diverse background allows them to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the table, which can be especially valuable in the tourism industry, where creativity and differentiation are key to standing out in a crowded market. They may introduce new marketing approaches or strategies that a full-time executive who has been focused on a single company or sector may not have considered. For tourism businesses looking to revamp their marketing efforts, explore new digital channels, or reach new markets, the insights of a Fractional CMO can provide a significant competitive edge.

For companies that already have a marketing team in place, a Fractional CMO can offer senior leadership and mentorship. In these cases, the CMO works closely with the existing team, providing guidance and helping refine marketing strategies. They can help improve team efficiency, set measurable goals, and ensure that all marketing efforts are aligned with the company’s overall business objectives. Their leadership helps the marketing team execute campaigns more effectively, using best practices and industry insights to drive better results.

Another reason to hire a Fractional CMO is the speed at which they can begin driving results. Since they are brought in for specific projects or challenges, Fractional CMOs tend to hit the ground running, quickly identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing targeted marketing strategies. For tourism businesses that need to increase visitor numbers quickly, launch a new service, or boost their online presence, a Fractional CMO provides the strategic leadership necessary to achieve these goals in a timely and cost-effective manner.

What specific marketing challenges does a Fractional CMO address for tourism companies?

Tourism companies face several unique marketing challenges, and a Fractional CMO is well-positioned to help address these through a combination of industry knowledge, creative strategy, and data-driven decision-making. One of the primary challenges in tourism is seasonality. Tourism demand tends to fluctuate throughout the year, with high seasons and off-seasons requiring different marketing approaches. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies manage these fluctuations by developing tailored marketing campaigns that drive bookings during peak seasons and sustain visitor interest during slower periods. This might involve creating special offers, promoting off-season events, or highlighting lesser-known attractions to encourage year-round tourism.

Another key challenge for tourism companies is competition. The tourism industry is highly competitive, with destinations, tour operators, and hospitality providers all vying for the attention of travelers. Differentiating a tourism brand in such a crowded market can be difficult, particularly when many businesses offer similar experiences or services. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies stand out by identifying their unique selling points (USPs) and crafting marketing strategies that highlight these differentiators. Whether it’s an exclusive tour package, a focus on sustainability, or an emphasis on local culture, the CMO ensures that the company’s marketing message resonates with its target audience and sets it apart from competitors.

Building customer loyalty is another challenge that tourism companies face. In an industry where travelers often choose based on price or availability, retaining customers and encouraging repeat business can be difficult. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies develop customer loyalty programs and retention strategies that encourage repeat visits. This might involve creating personalized offers for returning customers, launching a rewards program, or developing a post-visit communication strategy to keep travelers engaged with the brand. The CMO also focuses on enhancing the overall customer experience, ensuring that every interaction with the brand—from booking to post-visit follow-up—is positive and memorable.

Digital transformation is another area where tourism companies often face challenges. The way travelers research, plan, and book their trips has changed significantly in recent years, with digital platforms playing a central role in the decision-making process. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies navigate this digital landscape by developing a strong online presence and optimizing their digital marketing efforts. This includes ensuring that the company’s website is user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and ranks well in search engine results through effective SEO practices. The CMO also leverages social media platforms to engage with potential travelers, creating compelling content that showcases the destination or service and encourages bookings.

In addition to managing digital marketing, a Fractional CMO helps tourism companies take advantage of data-driven marketing strategies. The tourism industry generates vast amounts of data, from visitor demographics and booking patterns to customer reviews and social media engagement. A Fractional CMO uses this data to inform marketing decisions, helping tourism companies better understand their target audience, track the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, and optimize their strategies for greater impact. By analyzing key metrics, the CMO can identify which marketing channels are delivering the best return on investment (ROI) and adjust the company’s marketing efforts accordingly.

Brand reputation is also a critical concern for tourism companies. In an industry where online reviews and word-of-mouth can make or break a business, managing and enhancing brand reputation is essential. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies develop public relations strategies that promote positive reviews, engage with customers on social media, and handle any negative feedback professionally and effectively. They also ensure that the company’s brand is consistently represented across all marketing channels, from the website to email campaigns to in-person interactions, helping to build trust with potential travelers and reinforce the company’s reputation as a reliable and desirable destination or service provider.

How does a Fractional CMO help tourism companies with destination marketing?

Destination marketing is a specialized area of tourism that focuses on promoting a specific location, such as a city, region, or country, to attract visitors. A Fractional CMO plays a key role in developing and executing destination marketing strategies that showcase the unique attributes of the location and encourage travelers to visit.

The first step in destination marketing is identifying the destination’s unique selling points (USPs). Every destination has something special to offer, whether it’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, adventure activities, or luxury experiences. The Fractional CMO works closely with local stakeholders, such as government tourism boards, hospitality providers, and tour operators, to understand the destination’s strengths and develop a marketing strategy that highlights these features. By creating a compelling narrative around the destination, the CMO helps position it as a must-visit location for travelers seeking specific types of experiences.

Once the destination’s USPs are defined, the Fractional CMO develops a multi-channel marketing strategy that reaches potential travelers through a combination of digital and traditional marketing efforts. This might involve creating stunning visual content that showcases the destination’s landscapes, attractions, and activities, running social media campaigns that engage potential visitors, and optimizing the destination’s website for search engines to drive organic traffic. The CMO also leverages digital advertising, such as pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and social media ads, to target specific traveler demographics, ensuring that the marketing efforts are reaching the right audience.

In addition to digital marketing, a Fractional CMO for destination marketing often focuses on building partnerships with travel influencers, bloggers, and media outlets. These partnerships can help generate buzz around the destination and provide authentic, third-party endorsements that resonate with potential travelers. The CMO works to establish relationships with influencers who align with the destination’s brand, organizing press trips, influencer campaigns, or collaborations that showcase the destination’s appeal to a wider audience.

Seasonality is a significant factor in destination marketing, and a Fractional CMO helps destinations manage the peaks and troughs in visitor demand. For example, if the destination is primarily known for its summer activities, the CMO may develop marketing strategies to promote winter events, festivals, or off-season activities that attract visitors during slower months. By encouraging year-round tourism, the CMO helps destinations reduce their reliance on peak-season visitors and create a more sustainable tourism industry.

Lastly, a Fractional CMO helps destinations measure the success of their marketing efforts and adjust their strategies as needed. By tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as website traffic, social media engagement, booking conversions, and visitor satisfaction, the CMO ensures that the destination’s marketing campaigns are delivering measurable results. If certain marketing channels or campaigns are not performing as expected, the CMO can make data-driven adjustments to improve their effectiveness.

How does a Fractional CMO help tourism companies improve customer engagement and loyalty?

Customer engagement and loyalty are critical for the long-term success of any tourism company, as repeat business and positive word-of-mouth can significantly boost revenue and brand reputation. A Fractional CMO helps tourism companies develop strategies that engage customers before, during, and after their visit, creating lasting relationships that encourage repeat visits and referrals.

Before a traveler even books their trip, the CMO focuses on building engagement through personalized marketing efforts. This might involve using email marketing campaigns that deliver tailored offers, travel tips, or destination highlights based on the traveler’s previous behavior or interests. By segmenting the company’s email list and delivering relevant content, the CMO ensures that each potential traveler feels valued and receives information that is specifically tailored to their preferences.

During the traveler’s visit, the Fractional CMO ensures that the customer experience is seamless and memorable. This involves coordinating with other departments, such as customer service and operations, to ensure that every touchpoint—from booking to check-in to the actual experience—is optimized to create a positive impression. The CMO may also develop in-destination engagement strategies, such as offering mobile apps that provide local recommendations, real-time updates, or special deals to enhance the visitor’s experience.

After the traveler’s visit, the CMO works to maintain engagement through follow-up communications. This might include sending post-visit surveys to gather feedback, offering discounts or incentives for a future trip, or inviting the traveler to join a loyalty program. By staying in touch with past visitors and offering personalized incentives to return, the CMO helps build customer loyalty and encourage repeat bookings.

In conclusion, a Fractional CMO for tourism provides strategic marketing leadership that helps destinations, tour operators, and hospitality providers attract visitors, build brand awareness, and enhance customer loyalty. Through a combination of digital marketing, customer engagement, and data-driven strategies, a Fractional CMO helps tourism companies navigate the challenges of the industry and achieve long-term success. Their flexible, cost-effective approach allows businesses to access senior marketing expertise when it’s needed most, driving measurable results in a competitive market.

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Hire the Top Rated Fractional CMO For Tourism

Hire the Top Rated Fractional CMO For Tourism