Attracting tourists to your small town doesn’t have to come with a massive price tag. The key is identifying what makes your town truly special and leveraging those features to draw in people, all while maximizing your existing resources.

With Americans spending a staggering $933 billion on domestic tourism—and that number growing every year—appealing to tourists could be transformative for your local economy.

So, what attracts tourists? How do you tap into this thriving market? Let’s break it down with our comprehensive guide on how to attract tourists to a small town.

Factors to Consider

Bringing in tourists may seem overwhelming with so many paths to take. But at Town Web, we’ve helped hundreds of small towns increase their tourism revenue, and we’ve learned a thing or two about what works.

Before you decide on the “how”, here are some factors to consider when choosing the best route to stirring up tourism in your town.

The Not-So-Typical Tourist

When it comes to tourism, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. People’s interests and hobbies are always evolving, so your town’s attractions need to cater to a variety of tastes. To get a steady flow of tourists, diversify your offerings.

Don’t rely on just one major event or attraction—have a range of activities that can appeal to different types of tourists and keep them coming back.

Encourage Return Visits

Getting tourists to your town is only half the battle—you want them to come back! One of the best ways to do this is by documenting their information for future marketing efforts. Encourage visitors to sign up for email newsletters or follow your social media accounts.

This creates a direct line of communication with an already interested audience, making it easier to bring them back year after year.

Ensure You Have a Great Local Website

A well-designed municipal website is one of your most valuable tools in attracting tourists. At Town Web, we specialize in creating ADA-compliant websites that not only inform but also engage potential visitors.

With over 800 municipalities relying on our expertise, we know how to build websites that highlight what makes your town unique, while ensuring ease of use, accessibility, and top-notch security.

Ready to give your town’s online presence a boost? Request a no-obligation quote and see how we can help your small town thrive.

Tourist Attraction 101: Unlocking Your Town's Unique Appeal

Drawing tourists begins with understanding what makes your town truly unique. Rather than trying to compete with larger cities or well-known destinations, focus on showcasing the character and charm that only your town can offer.

Think about what visitors are looking for—whether it's a rich history, a distinctive cultural scene, or the natural beauty of your landscape—and build your tourism strategy around those elements.

The trick to successful tourism is positioning your town as a must-see destination by crafting a welcoming experience that resonates with a broad range of travelers.

By highlighting your town’s strengths and creating memorable experiences, you can turn visitors into repeat guests and ambassadors who will spread the word, helping your town thrive.

Local Attractions

Every town has its hidden gems, and often when we're asked what attracts tourists, our advice is always to shine a light on what your town already does well. Is it known for a historic event, a unique festival, or a stunning natural park? These existing attractions can be powerful drivers of tourism, especially when marketed effectively.

Rather than overhauling or reinventing your community’s offerings, build upon them. Package local attractions in a way that’s accessible, exciting, and easy to find. With the right promotion and community engagement, your town’s distinct features can become the very reason visitors keep coming back year after year.

Sports

Sports are an integral part of American culture, and people will travel far to watch their favorite teams. While you might not be hosting the Superbowl, there are plenty of smaller sporting events that can attract a crowd.

Fishing tournaments, motocross races, and wrestling matches are just a few examples.

Take Aspen, Colorado—a town with just over 7,000 residents, yet the Winter X Games bring in nearly 100,000 visitors and an estimated $17.8 million annually. Now that’s the power of hosting the right event!

Arts and Culture

The power of arts and culture to draw tourists is undeniable. With 80% of U.S. travelers engaging in cultural heritage activities, your town can capitalize on this trend by offering a rich calendar of cultural activities.

From music festivals to historical reenactments, the arts are a powerful tool for tourism, providing experiences that visitors will cherish and remember long after their trip.

Whether it's showcasing local artists, hosting film screenings, or putting on live performances, arts and culture can breathe life into your town and create a thriving cultural scene.

These activities don’t just enhance your town’s image—they create opportunities for economic growth by bringing in tourists who spend money locally, supporting restaurants, shops, and accommodations.

Music Festivals

Music festivals draw large crowds of music lovers who come for the entertainment and stay to explore your town. By hosting a music festival, your community benefits from increased foot traffic, with visitors flocking to local restaurants, hotels, and shops, giving the economy a significant boost.

Beyond economic stimulation, music festivals also create a cultural identity for your town, setting it apart as a vibrant, creative destination. Whether you feature local talent or bring in national acts, music festivals have the potential to become a staple event that visitors will return to year after year, further cementing your town’s appeal.

For instance, Glastonbury in the UK is a world-renowned festival held in a small rural town. According to a recent study, the festival itself spent over $8 million with local companies.

Film Festivals

Film festivals offer a fantastic way to turn your town into a cultural hotspot. These events, whether local, independent, or drive-in style, attract a diverse group of film enthusiasts, actors, and filmmakers eager to showcase their work.

Hosting a film festival is a cost-effective method to bring new visitors into your town, while also giving it a creative edge in the tourism market.

More than just a showcase of films, these festivals also stimulate the local economy, encouraging tourists to dine, shop, and stay in town during the event.

Plus, film festivals shine a spotlight on your town, portraying it as a progressive and culturally rich destination, which can attract a fresh wave of culturally minded tourists.

Car Shows

Vintage and specialized car shows are a surefire way to drive tourism to your town, luring car enthusiasts from all over the country. Whether it’s a single-day event or a full weekend affair, these shows bring in visitors who are eager to admire classic cars, network with fellow enthusiasts, and experience the local culture.

The growing fascination with Americana, especially in the automotive world, makes hosting a car show a golden opportunity for your town to shine.

With vintage cars enjoying a surge in popularity, niche car cultures like lowriders, muscle cars, and even lowered Japanese cars will draw in enthusiasts from all over the country.

Hosting an event that caters to these interests can put your town on the map as a destination for auto aficionados, boosting local businesses along the way. Visitors will spend on food, accommodations, and shopping, providing a significant economic boost.

Reenactments

Civil War reenactments are a fascinating blend of history and entertainment, offering a full day of family-friendly fun while appealing to those passionate about America’s past.

Hosting one of these events not only honors the country’s heritage but also draws a guaranteed audience of reenactment enthusiasts who travel nationwide to relive iconic battles.

With a loyal following of participants and spectators alike, reenactments tap into a niche tourism market that’s deeply engaged.

These immersive historical events don’t just attract tourists; they encourage repeat visits as fans follow the circuit, helping your town become a regular stop for history buffs and families alike.

The sense of community, combined with the educational value, makes reenactments a powerful way to highlight your town’s cultural offerings.

Gastronomy

Food is a universal language, and for many tourists, it’s one of the most exciting parts of their trip. Tapping into food tourism allows your town to showcase its unique culinary heritage, offering an authentic taste of local flavors that can’t be found anywhere else.

Whether you’re known for a signature dish or a local farmers market, promoting gastronomy can be a huge draw for visitors.

Hosting food festivals, cooking competitions, or tasting events not only attracts food lovers but also fosters a deeper connection between your town and its visitors.

By turning your town into a foodie destination, you’ll give tourists a reason to return, while providing local businesses with an economic boost from those eager to savor the best your town has to offer.

Let Your Community Be Seen

City dwellers often crave a slower pace of life, and small towns can offer exactly that. Emphasize the sense of community, warmth, and friendliness that makes your town special. This will resonate with visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of big cities.

One way to do this is via your website. It’s likely the first impression potential visitors will have of your town. Here’s what it needs:

• Ease of Use: Can visitors navigate your site in just a few clicks?
• Security: Ensure your site has an SSL certificate for secure browsing.
• ADA Compliance: Accessibility is a must. Make sure your website adheres to ADA standards.
• Conversion-Focused: Every page should serve a purpose—whether it’s collecting email addresses or encouraging event sign-ups.
• Beautiful Design: Your website should reflect the character and charm of your town.

Town Web has helped hundreds of small towns develop websites that appeal to both residents and tourists. Let us take the guesswork out of your online presence and help you attract visitors.

Another significant advantage of having a well-optimized website is that you’ll be able to leverage organic search through SEO efforts. With Google making up 92% of online searches, ensuring your town ranks high is critical.

If you’re unsure how to improve your site’s search visibility, we can help boost your rankings and bring in more tourists.

Social media is another incredibly powerful (and free) tool for promoting your town. Consistency is key here; even something as simple as posting two photos a week of your town, residents, and events can make a tremendous impact.

Attracting New Tourists Shouldn’t Break the Bank

You don’t need a massive budget to attract tourists. By focusing on what makes your town special and promoting those features effectively, you’ll be well on your way to drawing in visitors.

Ready to get started? Explore our blog for more inspiration or contact us for a no-obligation proposal to elevate your town’s tourism game!