About Explore Marketing

At Explore Marketing, we specialize in helping DMOs, attractions, and sightseeing companies grow their presence in the travel trade industry. With a proven track record of connecting businesses to key industry professionals, we design strategies and initiatives that deliver results.

Founded by Stefan Merkl, a seasoned travel marketing consultant with a passion for exploration and learning about international cultures, Explore Marketing brings both expertise and enthusiasm to every project. Stefan’s love of travel and his ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds have shaped the company’s mission: to create authentic, impactful marketing that resonates across borders.

We offer a full range of services tailored to the needs of the travel industry, including:

Strategic Sales and Marketing Consulting: Customized plans to enhance your visibility and maximize revenue.
Travel Trade Sales Missions: Organizing missions to key domestic and international markets to connect with high-potential travel trade partners.
Team Training and Coaching: Empowering your team to succeed in the competitive travel trade industry.
Brand Representation: Acting as your trusted liaison to B2B sales partners and industry stakeholders.
Content Development: Creating compelling marketing materials and digital content that inspire engagement.
Social Media and Public Relations: Enhancing your online presence and securing valuable media coverage.

Why Partner with Explore Marketing?

With a unique blend of professional expertise and personal passion, Explore Marketing is dedicated to helping travel industry organizations succeed. We focus on building genuine connections with travel trade professionals and creating strategies that are as unique as the destinations and attractions we represent. Let’s collaborate to bring your vision to life and make your brand stand out in the travel trade marketplace.

STEFAN MERKL

President & Owner

As the founder of Explore Marketing, I combine over two decades of experience in the travel industry with a personal passion for discovery and cultural exchange. Having traveled extensively and worked with a variety of tourism organizations, I’ve gained a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by DMOs, attractions, and sightseeing companies.

For me, travel isn’t just a career—it’s a way of life. I thrive on building meaningful connections and helping organizations showcase their stories to the world. By blending my professional expertise with my personal love for cultural diversity, I aim to help my clients expand their reach, grow their partnerships, and achieve their goals in the global travel trade.

My love for travel and learning about diverse cultures is at the heart of Explore Marketing's approach. This passion drives our commitment to creating authentic, engaging marketing strategies that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Throughout my 20-year professional career in the attractions and tourism industries, I held a number of positions that have enabled me to build an extensive network of tourism industry partners and a 360-degree view of the travel trade from the perspectives of suppliers, media, buyers and destination marketers. I hold a Master of Business with concentrations in Marketing and Finance from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. In my spare time, I love to cook and travel, and hike and explore Sonoma County and Northern California, where I live.