Tourism tips from Tod

Tod Caton of Simply Kimberley offers straightforward business advice

The Stemwinder Chalet in Kimberley, B.C., is one of the guest accommodations owned by Tod Caton of Simply Kimberley. — Photo courtesy Tod Caton

Tod Caton is well positioned to offer business success tips. He owns and operates Simply Kimberley, a growing, multi-service tourism business in Kimberley, B.C., and is building his success by focusing on giving his customers an excellent, complications-free experience.

At the risk of providing valuable advice to potential competitors, Caton shares some of his success strategies here, in the belief that the trick to everyone having a bigger piece of the pie is to make the pie bigger.

Tips to attract tourists

• Focus on the end consumer experience. Caton’s successes in tourism have ultimately come from the fact that to be sustainable and grow a following, you need to work backwards and put the consumer experience first and foremost.
• Build your brand, including a good logo, website and social media presence, and be able to "be found."
• Ask clients for online reviews—in Caton’s case Google Reviews and Vacation Rentals By Owner reviews.
• Support your local destination marketing organization, as it’s the frontline that has a budget to get your community or resort municipality in front of potential clients.