What We Do

Tourism is different things to different destinations. For some it is all about holidays. For others, tourism is better known as travel for a range of purposes, which may be for leisure, visiting friends and relatives, business and conferences, religious trips or even medical treatment. Destinations often refer to activities of these travellers as the visitor economy. Arts and culture also form a major element of tourism. Tourism is, therefore, a huge sector. It accounts for 10% of global GDP and one-in-ten jobs.

This is our sector and where our expertise lies. With more than two decades of experience, Acorn Tourism offers the services destinations and tourism businesses need to succeed:

Market Research: this underpins the most important decisions destinations and businesses make on a day-to-day basis. We specialise in providing clients with the answers they need from robust primary research backed up with over two decades of first-hand experience.
Economic Impact and Statistics: the measurement of the visitor economy, whether it be economic, or to assess environmental or social impacts, is fundamental to sustainable tourism development. We specialise in these activities and have been at the forefront of the development of tourism statistics and measuring tourism for the UNWTO and other agencies for more than 20 years.
Strategic Planning: destinations, attractions, tour operators and accommodation all need to know where they are going and how to get there. Whatever you need to plan, and whether you are a global corporation, a city, rural destination or a small business, our strategic process can help you work out where you need to go.
Product Development: the growth of global tourism offers exciting opportunities for destinations and tourism businesses. To help you become sustainable and competitive our long-standing experience working with destinations across five continents enables us to bring a fresh perspective to your product or destination.
Branding and Marketing: as a tourism business or destination you need to stand out, be noticed and attract visitors. To be sustainable and competitive means appealing to the type of people that will be truly excited by the experience and will share it with their social networks. Our pragmatic approach to marketing is both innovative and refreshing, and will provide you with the solutions you need.
T-Stats Destination Tracking: we’ve developed a sophisticated online tool to help destinations, and businesses in destinations, travel track the visitor economy. Invaluable for planning, monitoring, marketing, attracting investment or funding applications, and so much more, this is a product you’ll wish you had years ago!

Inspiration

Economic Impact and Statistics

Our reputation in the field of tourism statistics and measuring the economic impact of tourism is unparalleled. We are experts in the development of systems of tourism statistics, compilation of tourism satellite accounts and natural capital accounting, as well as measuring the local economic impact of tourism. Our ATOM forecasting model and T-Stats tourism tracking system are two products we have developed and installed in destinations across the globe.
Product Development

We plan and develop tourism products and experiences that are financially and environmentally sustainable. Acorn’s in-depth understanding of niche visitor markets ensures we can help you differentiate yourself from your competitors by creating innovative market-led experiences. We can provide options appraisals, feasibility studies, business planning and capacity building to support your product development process.
Branding and Marketing

In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, it is essential to have a strong brand and a marketing campaign that clearly promotes your values and resonates with your target audience. Acorn builds destination brands and content marketing strategies. We deliver digital marketing campaigns, build national tourism websites and create inspiring content. Working with travel influencers we can do social media takeovers. We can also monitor your brand awareness and the effectiveness of your promotional campaigns.
Strategic Planning

We can help you work out where you want to go and how to get there. Acorn uses a well-defined strategic planning process to establish how you can become a more competitive and sustainable destination or tourism business. Our approach is collaborative, engaging widely with your stakeholders, creating a joint vision and co-developing an Action Plan that can be implemented with the available financial resources and workforce.
Market Research

We offer expert qualitative and quantitative tourism market research, including face-to-face and online surveys, focus groups, bulletin boards, and business and stakeholder consultations. We maintain and update vast databases of research that include niche market and destination profiles, inbound and outbound tourist flows, and industry trends. This allows us to commentate, predict and forecast with insight, intelligence and confidence.
T-Stats Destination Tracking

T-Stats is our online tourism tracking system for destinations. We understand that every destination is different, so T-Stats is tailor-made to allow you to track whatever is important, from accommodation occupancy, through to visits to attractions, footfall, attendance at events and even the weather. Bringing all this together into one easy-to-use database provides information for assessing the effectiveness of marketing activities, attracting investors, assisting funding applications or simply getting to know your destination better.

What We Do

Inspiration

Emma Tatlow

CEO, Visit Lincoln

Contact us