San Diego gives tourists a boost with Amex
In San Diego, USA, tourist trade is to be given a marketing boost through a partnership between American Express Travel Related Services Co., the SignOnSanDiego web site, the Gaslamp Quarter Association, and dozens of local merchants.
The partnership is aimed at giving American Express cardholders money-saving offers and incentives to visit the attractions of downtown San Diego through a an e-commerce destination marketing initiative, the American Express San DieGO Downtown Marketing programme.
American Express cardholders who visit the e-commerce tourism site will be able to choose from a variety of exclusive incentives from dining, retail, entertainment, hotel, cultural, recreational and professional services businesses within downtown San Diego's 92101 area code.
Cheap for merchants The marketing programme is free of any administrative or promotional charges to participating merchants - instead they simply agree to offer special incentives to American Express cardholders. According to Colin Temple, vice president for American Express in the Western region, this pilot programme allows participating businesses to leverage the marketing resources of American Express and SignOnSanDiego.com while also benefiting from increased trade.
The American Express Downtown web page will be updated on a monthly basis with participating vendors committing to three month offers. American Express will also provide and maintain web links between its own web site and those of participating businesses.
Young and affluent According to Chris Jennewein, director of internet operations for the Union-Tribune (the operation of SignOnSanDiego.com), SignOnSanDiego's visitors tend to be adults who are diverse, young, and affluent. Recent studies indicate that 44% of the website's adult visitors are San Diego County residents. The remainder of its visitors come from the rest of the USA, and from Mexico and Canada.
Initial merchants participating include: Blue Point Coastal Cuisine, Cafe Sevilla, Cloud 9 Shuttle, Comfort Inn San Diego, Courtyard by Marriott/San Diego Gaslamp, Croce's, Dakota Grill and Spirits, Gaslamp Plaza Suites, Hilo Hattie - The Store of Hawaii, Hotel Solamar, House of Blues, Indigo Grill, Jolt 'n Joe's, Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, Mr. Tiki Mai Tai Lounge, Omni San Diego Hotel, Quality Inn & Suites Downtown, Restaurant Events, San Diego Symphony, San Diego Trading Company, Spa Tiki, The Field and Visions Restaurant and Lounge.
For additional information: · Visit SignOnSanDiego at http://www.signonsandiego.com · Visit American Express at http://www.americanexpress.com