Step 4: Building your networks

For your visitors, your outdoor activity is just one element of their trip.

Successful tourism is an ecosystem of providers who offer visitors places to stay, places to eat, ways to move around and interesting things to do. Your success will depend on being part of that network.

Collaborating with other businesses, in your outdoor activity network and beyond it, will be vital.

Talking about your experience

Exercise 4A

Networking involves being able to talk clearly, concisely and confidently about your experience and what it offers to potential partners and supporters. You often have only a short time to do this; remember that first impressions count.

You need to make others believe in your experience, even if it doesn’t exist yet.

You may find this daunting at first but every time you do it, it will get easier. Your pitch will improve with practice.

Who you need to meet

When you are developing a new tourism offer you need to make yourself known to other providers in your area and demonstrate your willingness to work with them. 

For advice and support

• Council tourism officers - Your local council should be one of your first contacts when you are developing a new experience for visitors.
• Other local tourism businesses - They will know who visits your area and what they are looking for.
• Local tourism collaborative networks - This is a network of geographically based tourism businesses and other organisations who aim to collaborate to improve the area as a destination.
• Tourism Northern Ireland - Tourism NI is responsible for the development of tourism in Northern Ireland, providing a range of practical help to businesses and in partnership with Tourism Ireland, promote the destination to domestic and international audiences.

Building collaborations

• Local accommodation providers - They may be able to host your customers and develop accommodation, food, and activity packages with you.
• Local food producers and suppliers - They can provide authentically local food for your experience, creating a stronger sense of place.
• Tour operators who bring groups to your area - If you can offer a suitable package, they may be interested in bringing groups to you.
• Tour guide associations - Can help you find guides and people who can train your staff.
• Local buses, taxis and active transport providers - They can help people without cars reach you using other forms of transport including bikes and e-bikes.

Helping you communicate with visitors

• Visitor Information Centres - Are an outlet for promotional materials and may be able to take bookings for you.
• Local accommodation providers - Can recommend you to visitors if they know you and like what you do.
• Local tourism businesses - May offer opportunities for joint marketing and cross-selling,  especially to niche audiences.
• Transport staff – Coach and train staff,  taxi drivers and bike hire companies  are often a great source of local information for visitors so make sure they know about you.

'Collaborating for Success' contains more details on the importance of networking for outdoor businesses.

Linking into your network

Exercise 4B

Identify the people in your area who need to know about you:

• Who can give you advice?
• Who might partner or collaborate with you?
• Who could recommend you to visitors?
• Who could add to what you do?

Key lessons from your local networking

Exercise 4C

• What key information and advice have people shared with you about tourism in your area?
• How can you use these insights to make your venture more successful and resilient?