According to a poll by CarTrawler.com, 73% of Americans say they feel "positive" about traveling and more than half are planning trips this year. Take full advantage of this trend with potential partnerships that can steer more travelers to your restaurant this summer.

Partner with Local Tourism

The best place to start is by establishing a presence with your local tourism office. Nearly every city, state, and region has these agencies, and their primary responsibility is to share what makes their area a top destination for visitors. One of the first places travelers look when planning a trip is the local tourism website, so getting your name listed there means high visibility. If your marketing budget allows, paid placements in tourism brochures or magazines can mean reaching people in locations such as airports, car rental desks, and train stations.

Creating listings for your establishment, both online and in print, is one of the best ways to advertise to tourists. Provide lively descriptions of your menu items and colorful photos to help draw people in, along with any special incentives for dine-in guests, such as a free appetizer or dessert.

Combine Forces with Hotels

Tourists new to an area often don’t know the best places to stay and dine, so combining forces with a hotel can help entice visitors to patronize both. Package deals are popular, particularly bed and breakfast offers that provide a restful night’s sleep followed by the first meal of the day. Reach out to hotels that are a short distance from your restaurant, easily accessible by foot, or a quick drive.

Connect with Entertainment Venues

Live music and theater are big draws for tourists, whether it’s a large concert or an intimate production of Shakespeare. Since these venues often have limited food options, consider connecting with them to draw in patrons before or after a show. Featuring quick, pre-event meals at nearby restaurants or post-performance bites and drinks means the chance to capture a whole new audience.

Create Family Fun

Families are seeking several things when they travel, including new and fun experiences, along with good meals that keep everyone happy. Combine these by working with other businesses to create family-centered activities that provide the full flavor of your region. Local zoos, amusement parks, museums, and festivals are big draws for kids of all ages, so target those for potential partnerships. After a long day of sightseeing, many families will look forward to an air-conditioned meal, along with the peace and quiet that complimentary WiFi brings.

Build a Mini Food Tour

Many visitors want to explore several different restaurants, but are often strapped for time, so consider working with a few select eateries to create a mini food tour. This could look like an all-day adventure with different stops for breakfast, lunch and dinner, each offering a unique dining experience. Or devise a progressive meal that takes diners from place to place for appetizers, drinks, a main course, and dessert.

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