Visit Santa Barbara

Our marketing campaigns are comprised of two primary divisions: leisure travel advertising, and content marketing. The first is targeted to likely travelers in key California and direct flight markets using print and digital advertising. The latter provides richer storytelling to encourage travelers to plan an overnight trip to the Santa Barbara south coast. Primary elements of our content marketing include social media stories, trip planning ideas such as business listings and itineraries on santabarbaraca.com and distribution of our 200 page visitor magazine.

Sales is comprised of two divisions: group sales and travel trade sales. The first seeks to attract groups of 10 or more for meetings, conferences, incentive travel etc. The latter works with travel agents and tour operators to book packaged and independent travel to Santa Barbara. Common tactics for both divisions include sales missions, site inspections and trade show exhibitions across the u.s. and select international markets.

Public relations is responsible for generating non-paid publicity that inspires travel to our region. Tactics include pitching stories to national and international journalists and editors, hosting visiting travel writers who are on assignment, and providing assets such as photography and fact checking.

Community partnerships strengthens relationships between the organization, leisure and hospitality businesses, their employees and likeminded associations. This work includes the execution of industry educational and networking events, combined with collaborating with local festivals, community events and hospitality workforce development opportunities.