MMGY Hills Balfour Appointed Representative for Visit SLO CAL (Tourism Board for San Luis Obispo County, California)

MMGY Hills Balfour Appointed Representative for Visit SLO CAL (Tourism Board for San Luis Obispo County, California) to Deliver Communications/Trade Strategy in the UK & Ireland

Visit SLO CAL, the official tourism board for San Luis Obispo County, located in the centre of California’s Central Coast, has appointed MMGY Hills Balfour as its new communications and trade agency to drive the organisation’s integrated sales, marketing and PR strategy in the UK & Ireland following a competitive pitch process.

Located equidistant from San Francisco and Los Angeles on the iconic Highway 1, home to the world’s first motel and Hearst Castle which dates back to 1920. SLO CAL is a must-stop destination for road trippers looking for a combination of genuine people, a scenic place and laid back pace with picturesque beaches, rolling vineyards and relaxed Californian lifestyle.

As destination representation specialists with over 20 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry, London-based MMGY Hills Balfour will implement an integrated strategy for Visit SLO CAL from March 2023 through to July 2025. The agency will leverage its industry relationships and expertise in positioning iconic and emerging destinations to the UK and Irish consumer to tell SLO CAL’s story through the trade, media and influencers. The strategy will largely focus on increasing awareness of SLO CAL as a must-see destination for visitors to California.

With the Highway 1 road trip route stretching across 80 miles of SLO CAL’s stunning coastline, MMGY Hills Balfour will highlight what the county has to offer along the way, showcasing its beautiful landscapes, perfect for hiking, surfing and horse riding, as well as its distinguished wineries, historic attractions, farm-to-table experiences and creative arts scene. The agency will bring the story of SLO CAL to life through its local people and experiences to inspire visitors from adventure seekers to culture vultures and culinary connoisseurs to wine enthusiasts to explore the county, travel further and stay longer.

Chuck Davison, President and CEO, Visit SLO CAL said “We are delighted to be working with MMGY Hills Balfour to showcase our special county and generate further awareness of the rich experiences available to visitors from the UK & Ireland. There is a huge opportunity for SLO CAL in these markets and we are confident our partnership with MMGY Hills Balfour will help us generate awareness of the destination while increasing visitation and length of stay in SLO CAL.”

Caroline Moultrie, Managing Director, MMGY Hills Balfour added “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the Visit SLO CAL team to drive awareness and excitement for the destination in the UK & Ireland. We look forward to curating impactful activities that educate, encourage and entice potential visitors by ensuring SLO CAL is front of mind for the media and trade in our markets.”