Where Does the Dream Begin? Finding Your Upper-Funnel Spark
You want travelers to book your destination, but first, you have to get them to dream about it!
The secret to filling your pipeline lies in the Upper Funnel. This phase is all about Discovery and Dreaming—catching people before they’ve even chosen a destination. Your goal here is simple: ignite their curiosity and imagination.
The Upper Funnel Toolkit: Visuals That Inspire
If a tactic introduces your destination and gets a traveler to mentally check out of their current life, it belongs here. The most effective tools are highly visual and engaging:
- Cinematic Video: Use sweeping footage of your landscapes on streaming platforms (OTT/CTV) to create major destination envy.
- Captivating Display Ads: Showcase a perfect experience—like an idyllic beach or vibrant downtown—to stop them mid-scroll.
- Narrative Content: Tell authentic stories about your destination through sponsored content and social media to build a genuine connection.
Your mission in the upper funnel is to make your location look like the ultimate must-see spot. If a tactic makes someone stop scrolling and start imagining themselves there, you’ve found your match.
Ready to light the spark that leads to a booking?
FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW TO DOWNLOAD THIS FREE RESOURCE
Learn more about how we can help you adapt to the evolving marketing landscape and ramp up your efforts.
Share This Story
January 26, 2026
Last week, McDonald’s surprised people by announcing the return of Changeables—those late-’80s and early-’90s Happy Meal toys that transformed menu items into characters. For a lot of people, it was pure nostalgia. For marketers, it was a signal. What caught my attention wasn’t just the toys. It was the language. McDonald’s teased the return with a line about something coming “from [...]
January 21, 2026
We’re proud to celebrate Clay County Tourism for earning “Destination Verified” status from Wheel the World - a meaningful recognition of their commitment to creating welcoming, inclusive travel experiences.
January 21, 2026
We’re excited to welcome Paula Vann to Advance Travel & Tourism as a Senior Account Executive. With more than a decade of experience across destination leadership and visitor intelligence, Paula brings a strong understanding of how tourism supports both travelers and the communities they visit.
Ad Choices