The World's Most Influential Destination Marketing Organization on Twitter is… The Banff Squirrel?

Photo-Bombing Internet Meme becomes Tourism Industry Leader

BANFF, AB, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ - An unlikely spokes-squirrel from Banff National Park has emerged as the world's most influential destination marketing organization (DMO) on Twitter, according to Influencers in Travel.  Measured by Klout score, the @Banff_Squirrel Twitter account ranks in the Top 10 of all Travel Companies Worldwide on Twitter, and is the only DMO to crack the Top 30 list.

"The Banff Squirrel on Twitter allows us to reach a worldwide audience of travel influencers, including journalists and avid travelers," said Julie Canning, president & CEO of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. "Using a quirky mascot and a rich mix of entertainment and information, we've been able to raise Banff's profile well beyond that of competing destinations with much larger marketing budgets and get our message out 24x7 globally."

The Banff Squirrel first reached prominence in August 2009 as a popular photobomb meme.  Within hours of the meme taking off, Banff Lake Louise Tourism produced "Banff Crasher Squirrel: The Movie", featured on CNN and elsewhere, and created the @Banff_Squirrel Twitter account.

Reached for comment, The Banff Squirrel tweeted "LOL! Who's the King of the forest now, Mr. Grizzly Bear?"

With more than 6,600 followers, @Banff_Squirrel often creates more than 100,000 online impressions for Banff and Lake Louise in a single day.  Special events hosted by @Banff_Squirrel such as the online Tweetup 'Travelers Night In" (#TNI) themed around The Canadian Rockies have generated over 12 million impressions in a 24-hour period.

Twitter is included within an integrated social media strategy managed by Banff Lake Louise Tourism and its social media agency, Arcade Brand Strategies.  BLLT's social media program includes an official YouTube partner channel whose more than 140 videos have attracted over 1 million views, a Flickr account, a newly re-launched blog, and a FaceBook Fan page with more than 22,000 fans.

About Banff Lake Louise Tourism
Banff Lake Louise Tourism is a destination marketing organization for the Town of Banff, Community of Lake Louise and Banff National Park. Banff National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the rugged raw beauty of an unspoiled landscape with a lavish array of world-class amenities. From the finest bottle of wine to relaxing in a natural hot spring with the world's finest view, it can all be found in Banff National Park.

SOURCE Banff Lake Louise Tourism