Edition 13

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE GOES MOBILE

As of Edition 13, Alternative Route will be going mobile. We’ll be integrating the guide with a mobile platform, making the guide interactive for smartphone users. Travellers will be able to use the guide to contact you directly from their phone, access more information about your business, your events, your specials and your social media.

News from 2011

• We printed 60 000 books last year and were happy how quickly the books were picked up.
• We did several distribution trips to Joburg, Durban, Mpumulanga, Swaziland and up the Garden Route to distribute books, in addition to the books we sent out on request to advertisers and travellers.
• We sent 22kg of books to the USA where Linton from Gecko Creek has been distributing at backpacker hostels and travel agents on the East and West seaboards.
• We’ve been using Brochure Management to distribute books at Engen One Stops along major highways in the Western Cape.
• We distributed books at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
• We joined SAYTC Eastern Cape to hand out books to students registering at Rhodes University in Grahamstown.

Things to remember

• Ads for accommodation providers follow a standard format. This makes the book easier to use. You send us material and we put the ad together.
• Advertisers who take double page spreads have creative freedom. If you're interested in this option, please contact me for more info.
• Ads in the Alternative Route have to be exciting if you want it to be noticed by travellers. Pictures have to grab their attention and copy has to be creative, honest and persuasive.
• Visit our Toolbox for tips on how to put together great ads. www.mkoya.co.za

Tips for great ads

• Great pictures make great ads
• Be creative
• Be honest
• Focus on benefits, not features
• Focus on a few strong points
• If everyone offers it, why advertise it?
• Try not to use too many empty and flowery adjectives
• You like your ad, but what do travellers think? Ask them
• Don’t state the obvious
• Travellers always look for rates

Our banking details

• Mkoya Travel Marketing CC
• First National Bank
• Tokai 00200409
• Acc: 6213 8102 885