By: Hailey Post
If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “We just don’t want a plan that ends up collecting dust on a shelf”, you are certainly not alone.
At Clarity of Place, we’ve worked with destination leaders across North America who’ve had that exact experience—investing time and energy into a planning process that feels disconnected from their day-to-day, or worse, delivers something that could’ve belonged to any community. We understand you aren’t looking for a cookie-cutter approach, but one that’s tailored to your community and grounded in data, proven methods, and real-world experience. You need a partner who leads with curiosity, but also brings the seasoned perspective of practitioners who know what it takes to optimize visitor economies. Someone who sees your community not just as a place on the map, but as a living, evolving story, and builds strategy accordingly.
What You Don’t Need
Cookie-Cutter Plan with Your Logo on It
If it reads like it could belong to five other destinations, it probably does. Your visitor economy deserves more than a templated approach. Strategy should feel familiar, because it’s built through collaboration, grounded in your local context, and informed by our expertise.
Flashy Report That Doesn’t Work in Practice
You’re not here for jargon, fluff, or slide decks that confuse more than illuminate. You need language that feels familiar, goals that feel attainable, and a forward-looking vision with a clear bias for action and one that gives your team and stakeholders clarity, confidence, and a feasible path to implementation.
“Good luck, see ya” Firm
This work doesn’t end when the strategic plan is finalized. Strategy only matters when it’s implemented and that requires a partner who doesn’t just deliver a plan, but equips you with the tools, insights, and support to carry it forward with confidence.
Consultant Who Doesn’t Listen
If a firm shows up with the shiny answers before asking questions, that’s a red flag. From project kick-off through final delivery, we actively listen and assess what makes your destination distinct—using that insight to shape clear, evidence-based strategies that strengthen your visitor economy.
What You Do Need
A Partner Who Gets What Makes You, You
While there are certainly industry similarities and opportunities for cross-learning, we know no two destinations share the same portfolio of strengths, assets, and ambitions. Your strategic plan should be as unique as your destination and community character. This is why we take time to understand your history, your people, your pressures, and your possibilities as a destination. That context becomes the lens through which we build our recommendations—not an afterthought.
A Process That Builds Momentum, Not Just Checkmarks
Engagement is more than a box to tick. It’s a tool to surface insights, build alignment, and reinforce the direction you’re already leading, helping stakeholders understand, support, and contribute to a shared vision for the visitor economy. It allows your key destination stakeholders the opportunity to voice their pride, their visions, and ideas for strengthening your destination in a space that is welcoming and open minded. Our stakeholder engagement process is designed to surface valuable perspectives, build buy-in, and strengthen local pride while staying focused on realistic, actionable ideas that support your destination’s long-term goals.
A Clear Path Forward
We know your team is already doing meaningful work. Our job is to help you focus that energy, cutting through the noise to identify what’s working, where there’s opportunity, and what actions are truly essential to move your destination forward.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need another plan that rots on a shelf. You need a partner who understands what makes your destination unique and helps you translate that into a strategy that’s actionable, durable, and truly aligned with your strengths and vision.
At Clarity of Place, we believe the most effective strategies to grow and sustain visitor economies are grounded in real data, built around destination strengths and opportunities, and designed to deliver practical, lasting impact. They aren’t one-size-fits-all, they’re smart, focused, and built to move your destination forward.
Interested in getting the ball rolling on your strategic planning? Contact us and let’s get started!
