Small Changes, Big Impacts

Visitor Experience Enhancement on a Budget

I've never met a nature professional with too much time or money. After twenty years in the visitor experience industry, including time spent facilitating the strategic visitor experience plan for the 10 million annual visits to Texas State Parks, This is my top ten list of no or low-cost visitor experience enhancements for your sites.

-Ky and The Visitor Experience Team

10. Through Their Eyes – View your site from a fresh perspective to identify barriers and blind spots.

9. Accurate Online Presence – Ensure third-party websites accurately reflect your site for orienting new visitors.

8. Digital Accessibility – Use virtual tools to welcome visitors with mobility or geographic limitations.

7. Interpretive Direction – Ground your programs and products in a clear, unified interpretive direction.

6. Roving Interpretation – Minimal training is required for a friendly volunteer to help welcome and interpret to visitors.

5. Captive Audiences – Use interpretation to serve those with limited agency or choice in their visit.

4. Leverage Stewardship Groups – Develop systems that empower aligned groups to contribute meaningfully.

3. Engage Stakeholders – Build lasting relationships with civic leaders and elected officials who care about your site.

2. Donation Optimization – Make it easy for supporters to contribute with thoughtful, well-placed donation tools.

1. Warm Welcome for All – Deliver inclusive, outstanding customer service that makes every visitor feel they belong.