How Visitor Centers Can Boost Tourism with Custom Pocket Maps
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How Visitor Centers Can Boost Tourism with Custom Pocket Maps
First impressions matter — especially when it comes to tourism.
Visitor centers are often the first stop travelers make when they arrive somewhere new.
One of the simplest, most powerful tools you can offer?
👉 A custom pocket map that guides, engages, and extends their stay.
Here’s why smart visitor centers and tourism boards are investing in high-quality maps—and how it’s paying off in tangible ways.
1. Pocket Maps Help Visitors Explore More (and Spend More)
When travelers have a clear, easy-to-use map in their hands, they:
Visit more attractions
Dine at more local restaurants
Shop at more local businesses
Stay longer in the area
A well-designed pocket map turns a “quick stop” into a whole afternoon or weekend adventure.
More exploration = more local spending.
2. Custom Maps Strengthen Your City’s Brand
A professional, beautiful map isn’t just a navigation tool but a reflection of your destination.
Custom pocket maps can:
Highlight your city’s culture, style, and attractions
Use your tourism brand’s colors, logos, and fonts
Make your destination feel organized, welcoming, and exciting
Visitors remember how a place feels — and a great map leaves a lasting, positive impression.
3. Pocket Maps Support Local Businesses
Many visitor centers use their maps to not only guide tourists, but also promote local businesses.
Custom maps can:
Feature local restaurants, shops, museums, and activities
Offer sponsorship spots to help pay for printing costs
Encourage cross-promotion between attractions
When you support your local economy, your entire tourism ecosystem grows stronger.
(PocketMaps can even help you design sponsor-friendly layouts if you want.)
👉 Learn more about our custom pocket map services.
4. Maps are Affordable and Easy to Distribute
Custom pocket maps are lightweight and easy to display and hand out.
You can distribute them:
At your visitor center desk
Through local hotels, B&Bs, and tour operators
At airports, ferry terminals, or welcome centers
At local events, festivals, and expos
Typical bulk orders for visitor centers:
5,000 copies (small seasonal programs)
10,000–25,000 copies (average annual needs)
50,000+ copies (large tourism regions or state programs)
Bulk printing keeps costs low — and makes it easy to stock your maps year-round.
5. Custom Maps Extend the Visitor Experience Long After the Trip
Many travelers take their maps home as keepsakes or trip planners for the future.
That means your branding—your city’s story—stays with them even after they leave.
Next time they (or their friends) plan a return trip, guess where they want to go?
Quick Recap: Why Visitor Centers Need Custom Pocket Maps
✅ Help travelers explore more, stay longer, and spend more
✅ Strengthen your city or region’s tourism brand
✅ Support and promote local businesses
✅ Affordable to print in bulk and easy to distribute
✅ Extend your visitor experience beyond the trip
Ready to Boost Your Tourism Efforts with Custom Pocket Maps?
At PocketMaps, we design and print beautiful, visitor-friendly maps that help travelers explore, connect, and stay longer.
Whether you need 5,000, 10,000, or 50,000 maps, we’ll help you create a custom solution that showcases your destination's offerings.
👉 Start your custom visitor map project with PocketMaps today.
Let’s make your city unforgettable — one map at a time.
Manage Your Project with Full Transparency
When you work with PocketMaps, you get great design and printing, and get complete visibility into your order every step of the way.
Our easy-to-use online dashboard lets you:
Track your project from design to proofing to production to shipping
See estimated ship dates and delivery times
Upload updated files or split shipments if needed
Chat directly with our customer service team anytime
We built this platform because, before PocketMaps, we were customers too, and we couldn’t find a solution that worked.
After 10 years of building and refining our system, we’re proud to offer you a faster, easier, stress-free experience.