DENVER, April 9, 2024 -- The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is proud to announce a groundbreaking initiative with Tourism Exchange USA, in partnership with Brand USA. This platform will revolutionize how local tourism businesses connect with the global travel market, unlocking new avenues for growth and prosperity in Colorado's vibrant tourism industry. This partnership creates new opportunities for accommodations, tours, events and activities to thrive in the digital marketplace, enabling them to reach a wider audience through online bookings and ultimately creating greater economic impact.
"By partnering with Tourism Exchange USA, we are equipping local and small businesses with the digital tools and resources they need to compete on a global scale and showcase the best of what Colorado has to offer,” said Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, Timothy Wolfe. We are dedicated to implementing technology to help guide these business owners onto the international platform.”
According to the American Express 2023 Global Travel Trends Report, travelers express a desire to explore lesser-known destinations, experience local authenticity and discover hidden gems in ways that benefit locals and future visitors. Eighty-six percent of Gen-Z and Millennial respondents, along with 83% of all surveyed respondents, express interest in shopping and supporting small businesses when they travel to a new location. However, businesses in smaller destinations often face challenges in being bookable online internationally or accessing global distribution systems.
The Tourism Exchange bridges this gap by facilitating seamless sharing of live inventory and content with distributors worldwide, thus breaking down barriers and embracing the digital age to foster sales growth. The Exchange enables travel businesses to offer bookable products through globally recognized booking sites such as Expedia, TripAdvisor, Google and other niche international channels, with no upfront costs.
Tourism Exchange USA's Senior Vice President, Nate Huff, shared in the excitement, stating, "We believe that every travel business adds to the unique story of a destination. Our partnership with the Colorado Tourism Office is about amplifying these stories through empowering small businesses to thrive in the digital world of travel trade product development and distribution. By providing them with a platform to reach global travel distributors, we're helping level the playing field for smaller businesses. By collaborating with The Exchange, Colorado showcases its dedication to innovation, community empowerment, and the continued economic growth of its destination."
For more information about Tourism Exchange USA, visit www.tourismexchangeusa.com. To learn more about the Colorado Tourism Office, visit www.Colorado.com.
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About the Colorado Tourism Office:
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. The CTO seeks to advance the strength and resilience of the entire industry through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and leadership. In 2022, Colorado travelers spent $27.7 billion, generating $1.7 billion in local and state revenues, reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $760. For more information, please visit www.colorado.com.
About Tourism Exchange USA:
Tourism Exchange USA is a B2B, innovative open digital marketplace designed to facilitate the exchange of live inventory and content between suppliers and distributors in the global travel industry. The product is supported by Brand USA in its mission to increase incremental international visitation, spend, and market share to fuel the nation's economy and enhance the image of the USA worldwide. By connecting destinations with partners worldwide, the platform empowers small businesses and transforms the way travel experiences are discovered and booked.