Results of a recently completed survey conducted by the Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau polled consumers who specifically requested a Carlsbad Visitor Guide in 2005 via the bureau's website, visitcarlsbad.com. While the online survey showed consistency in many areas, it also revealed the changing face of those who have visited Carlsbad.
Respondents were asked forty-one questions, an increase over a similar survey conducted in 2005 that posed only twenty-seven questions.
"The long and short of all this," said CVB Board Chairman, Patrick Fearn, "is that visitors to Carlsbad are still giving both thumbs up when it comes to overall satisfaction of the destination."
Slightly more than 65% said that they traveled to Carlsbad within two months of receiving the Visitor Guide. When asked, 'How many times have you visited Carlsbad prior to your most recent visit?' some fifty-percent said they had never been to Carlsbad.
"We're also seeing more first-time visitors," said Fearn, "so this is a tremendous opportunity for us to do more in the way of marketing to tell-and-sell the Carlsbad story."
When asked, 'What was the primary purpose of your most recent visit to Carlsbad?' LEGOLAND zooms to the top of choices listed. However, when prodded a bit further (i.e. 'What local attractions did you visit during your trip?'), LEGOLAND came in fourth, preceded in order by preference of the following: 1) The beaches, 2) The Village of Carlsbad and 3) Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall.
Interestingly, in the same survey conducted last year, rankings to the same question showed that visitors preferred, 1) The beaches, 2) Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall, 3) LEGOLAND and 4) San Diego Zoo.
"This simply drives home the point that there's a lot to do, both in our own community and throughout the region," said Fearn.
Using the data collected, the bureau finds that women who are married, and have children (58%), do most of the planning for either long weekend getaways or extended vacations. Fifty-five percent of respondents fit into the 35, 54 age bracket.
The time-proven adage, "The best referral is one that comes by word of mouth", is so true when respondents were asked, 'How did you first hear about Carlsbad?' Some 40% pointed to friends and family as their first Carlsbad source, followed by the Internet. Beyond the personal testimonials, print advertising continues to be a strong vehicle for getting the word out about Carlsbad.
Respondents were asked forty-one questions, an increase over a similar survey conducted in 2005 that posed only twenty-seven questions.
"The long and short of all this," said CVB Board Chairman, Patrick Fearn, "is that visitors to Carlsbad are still giving both thumbs up when it comes to overall satisfaction of the destination."
Slightly more than 65% said that they traveled to Carlsbad within two months of receiving the Visitor Guide. When asked, 'How many times have you visited Carlsbad prior to your most recent visit?' some fifty-percent said they had never been to Carlsbad.
"We're also seeing more first-time visitors," said Fearn, "so this is a tremendous opportunity for us to do more in the way of marketing to tell-and-sell the Carlsbad story."
When asked, 'What was the primary purpose of your most recent visit to Carlsbad?' LEGOLAND zooms to the top of choices listed. However, when prodded a bit further (i.e. 'What local attractions did you visit during your trip?'), LEGOLAND came in fourth, preceded in order by preference of the following: 1) The beaches, 2) The Village of Carlsbad and 3) Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall.
Interestingly, in the same survey conducted last year, rankings to the same question showed that visitors preferred, 1) The beaches, 2) Carlsbad Premium Outlet Mall, 3) LEGOLAND and 4) San Diego Zoo.
"This simply drives home the point that there's a lot to do, both in our own community and throughout the region," said Fearn.
Using the data collected, the bureau finds that women who are married, and have children (58%), do most of the planning for either long weekend getaways or extended vacations. Fifty-five percent of respondents fit into the 35, 54 age bracket.
The time-proven adage, "The best referral is one that comes by word of mouth", is so true when respondents were asked, 'How did you first hear about Carlsbad?' Some 40% pointed to friends and family as their first Carlsbad source, followed by the Internet. Beyond the personal testimonials, print advertising continues to be a strong vehicle for getting the word out about Carlsbad.