Turning Warm Weather into Revenue, Visitors & Community Growth

The Role of Experiential Passes in Destination Marketing

Mobile passes are more than digital convenience. For destinations, they represent a curated lens through which communities can be discovered. Thoughtfully curated passes can turn a quick day-trip into a multi-day stay or inspire locals to become frequent visitors.

Visitors using a mobile pass are guided toward specific vendors, locations, venues, or services, making each interaction more likely to convert into economic impact. For Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) and Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs), the true value of mobile passes is their measurable impact, providing essential data to evaluate economic success, guide future strategies, and build stronger, more connected communities.

Destinations Thriving with Digital Passes

Many destinations are turning warm weather into opportunities by creating mobile-based programs that enhance visitor experiences. These passes go beyond just entry. Instead, they’re offering adventure, rewards, and new affordable ways to enjoy local attractions. Here are four successful examples:

West Virginia Waterfall Trail: Explore and Earn Rewards
West Virginia created the country’s first statewide waterfall trail, a digital trail encouraging visitors to explore 43 stunning waterfalls using a free digital pass. Whether traveling alone or with family, visitors find reasons to explore year-round.

Each waterfall visit earns progress toward special prizes, blending outdoor adventure with interactive technology. Through the use of gamification marketing, this unique approach helps draw attention to beautiful, lesser-known areas across the state.

Salt Lake Connect Pass: Easy Access to Top Attractions
The Salt Lake Connect Pass provides visitors easy, affordable access to 18 popular attractions across Northern Utah, including museums, gardens, science centers, and animal encounters.

With flexible options ranging from single-day to year-long passes, visitors can easily tailor their experiences to fit their schedules. It simplifies planning, saving travelers money while highlighting the best of Salt Lake City.

Pittsburgh KidsBURGH Passport: Family-Friendly Adventures
The KidsBURGH Passport in Pittsburgh makes family outings memorable by offering access to kid-friendly spots like museums, amusement parks, zoos, botanical gardens, and aquariums.

This pass turns everyday outings into interactive experiences that mix fun and learning. It's perfect for spontaneous trips or planned weekends, reinforcing Pittsburgh’s identity as a great place for families. See the case study here.

Myrtle Beach Mini Golf Trail: Fun with a Digital Twist
Known as the Mini Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach created a digital pass covering over 30 mini-golf courses, each with unique themes.

Visitors check in with their mobile devices and enjoy different adventures, from pirate islands to futuristic challenges. The pass also offers discounts and fun rewards, transforming mini-golf into a high-tech, engaging treasure hunt.

Why Mobile Passes Thrive in Warmer Seasons

When the weather warms up, people naturally want to spend more time outside. visiting parks, museums, waterfronts, or downtown areas. Mobile passes, accessible directly from a mobile device, tap into this seasonal enthusiasm by removing barriers to discovery. They encourage spontaneous exploration, enabling families with active kids, couples planning casual outings, or solo adventurers seeking new experiences to easily find and enjoy local attractions near them.

The Spring and Summer months align perfectly with school breaks and vacation time, creating an ideal environment for mobile pass programs targeted toward families. These passes transform ordinary downtime into meaningful experiences, turning casual warm weather days into lasting memories.

Turn Sunshine Into Real Results

Warm weather offers your destination a unique opportunity to create powerful connections, spark memorable adventures, and deliver measurable economic impact. With a mobile experience pass, you have the tools to transform casual visitors into enthusiastic participants and local residents into passionate ambassadors of your destination.

As you’ve seen, destinations like West Virginia, Salt Lake City, Pittsburgh, and Myrtle Beach have already unlocked significant benefits through strategic mobile pass programs. Now, it’s your turn.

Ready to launch your own successful mobile pass and see real results from your community? Contact our team today to get started. and make this summer your destination’s most impactful season yet.