Movement Marketing
BackBased in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Movement Marketing operates under the official business category of a travel agency, but it carves out a very specific and distinct niche within the broader travel and tourism sector. It is crucial for potential clients to understand that this is not a traditional agency for booking personal flights or holiday packages. Instead, Movement Marketing functions as a B2B (business-to-business) marketing and consulting firm dedicated to empowering other companies within the travel industry. Their core mission is to help travel brands grow and connect with the North American market.
Core Services and Strengths
Movement Marketing's primary strength lies in its specialized focus. They offer a suite of services designed specifically for Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), tour operators, and other travel companies aiming to enhance their presence. This specialization means they possess deep industry knowledge that a generalist marketing firm might lack.
- Destination Marketing & Partnerships: A significant part of their work involves connecting global destinations with the North American travel trade. They leverage a vast network to forge strategic partnerships, helping tourism boards and locations engage effectively with key players in the market.
- Travel Industry Sales & Marketing Consulting: The firm works directly with small and mid-sized travel companies to audit their existing strategies and build scalable plans for growth. This consulting is aimed at both B2B and B2C tactics, providing a comprehensive approach to business development.
- Travel Advisor Engagement & Education: Recognizing the vital role of travel agents, Movement Marketing has cultivated a network of over 120,000 advisors. They provide educational resources and training for these advisors, while also offering travel companies a direct channel to engage and inform this influential group.
- Event Management: They facilitate face-to-face engagement by organizing and managing industry events across North America, ensuring their partners connect with the right audiences in key markets.
Who is the Ideal Client?
The services offered are tailored for a specific clientele. This is the right choice for a Destination Marketing Organization looking to attract more North American travelers, a mid-sized tour operator needing to refine its marketing strategy, or a global travel company seeking to educate and build relationships with a large network of travel agents. Essentially, any business that sells travel experiences—rather than individuals buying them—could benefit from their expertise in destination marketing and industry networking.
Points to Consider
While the company's focused approach is a major asset, it also defines its limitations. The most significant point of caution is for the general public: if you are an individual or family looking for travel planning services or to book a vacation, this is not the right place. Their model is not structured for consumer-facing booking services or creating custom itineraries for personal trips.
Furthermore, as a B2B service provider, the investment required is likely substantial and geared towards corporate marketing budgets. Small, independent agents or newly formed tour companies might need to carefully evaluate if the cost aligns with their operational scale. Information regarding pricing is not readily available, necessitating a direct consultation to understand the potential return on investment. The company's online presence shows a clear focus on its industry partners, with limited public-facing reviews or testimonials, which is common for B2B firms but can make it harder for a prospective client to perform independent vetting compared to consumer-focused businesses.
Final Assessment
Movement Marketing stands out as a specialized and strategic partner within the travel industry's infrastructure. Its value is not in facilitating individual trips but in strengthening the businesses that do. For travel companies, tourism boards, and tour operators seeking to penetrate or expand within the North American market, Movement Marketing offers a targeted and potentially powerful solution through its extensive network and industry-specific expertise. However, for the everyday traveler, the search for a traditional travel agency must continue elsewhere.