Discovery Map Illustrates Cities, Guides Entrepreneurs

Unique Map Franchise Concept Creates Niche in Multi-Billion Dollar Travel Industry

ANACORTES, WASHINGTON (Friday, August 06, 2004) - Meeting the needs of both visitors and local businesses, Discovery Map International has transformed the traditional grid-like map into a fun and functional, illustrated interpretive map that captures the essence of travel locations all across the United States.

“We show the way around community and vacation destinations, leading travelers to each area’s premium accommodations, restaurants, shops, attraction and services,” said Vicki Starr, founder and president of Discovery Map International. “Our souvenir-quality maps illustrate popular travel spots with colorful, fun artwork. Visitors seek out Discovery Maps to use and have as a keepsake.”

As a sales and marketing representative for a Sun Valley , Idaho newspaper, and later a radio station, Starr started her career selling advertisement space to local businesses.

Starr recognized that while businesses had plenty of advertising avenues to reach local people, businesses needed a new tool to reach travelers, who were only in town for a few days. To solve this issue, Starr looked to combine a creative advertisement medium for local businesses with a useful, fun product for the visitors.

“Visitors need maps,” said Starr. “It’s the No. 1 most requested piece of information. We decided we could not only meet that need, but offer much more.”

Discovery Map fills the need of local businesses by capturing the attention of visitors who may be in town for only a few days, with little or no knowledge of their vacation surroundings. In return, Discovery Map provides visitors with a hand-illustrated diagram of the entire area, depicting local restaurants, shops, hotels and other hot spots. In essence, Discovery Map serves as a tourism catalyst, supplying visitors with a necessary navigational tool, and offering businesses the chance to reach those visitors. Discovery Map International transforms every community into Disneyland , added Starr.

Now, Starr’s maps can be found in visitor’s information centers, hotels, restaurants and other locations in popular destinations across America . These maps not only provide fun facts and easy-to-read directions to local attractions, the maps also serve as a keepsake for a family scrapbook, Starr added.

After 12 years of steady growth, Starr began franchising as a means of expansion, yet wanting to keep the ‘local touch’ only a franchisee can provide. In 1999, Discovery Map International was formed to franchise the Starr Map concept. Today, Discovery Map International has 17 franchisees and four corporate-owned territories, serving 21 markets. Company projections estimate an additional three markets by the end of 2004, and have plans to sign 20 additional franchise agreements during 2005. Discovery Map International is set to print 1.5 million maps by the end of the year.

Mapping your future
Discovery Map franchise owners have good people skills, enjoy selling and understand the power of networking. Franchisees spend most of their time with local business owners, helping them acquire more of the ever-growing tourism revenue that more cities and towns continue to rely upon. In addition, becoming an active member in community-focused organizations will help Discovery Map franchisees successfully start their business, Starr added.

Discovery Map is a flexible, home-based business and franchisees are able to adapt the business to their desired lifestyle. Building relationships with community businesses give franchisees a sense of pride, creating a fun, social and flexible working atmosphere that nurtures growth. In addition, Discovery Map International offers entrepreneurs the opportunity to earn high profits with a low investment, while never paying royalties.

Discovery Map International franchisees need a minimum of $25,000 of working capital, plus the franchise fee, ranging from $20,000 to $30,000, plus $4,000 for start-up costs and expenditures. The franchise fee includes a one-week training program at corporate headquarters, followed by on-site training during the initial round of sales. Development of original map art, operations manuals, ongoing support, trademark licensing and access to valuable databases are also included in the franchise fee.

Discovery Map International franchisees do not need any graphic art experience or previous knowledge of the travel industry. Franchisees sell the advertisements and the corporate design team develops the map, along with its advertisements. Each year, an updated version of the map is created, offering the franchisee the opportunity to sell additional ad space and renew contracts with current clients. Typically, the advertisement renewal rate is very high, according to Starr.

“The travel industry continues to grow and expand every year,” said Starr. “More people are vacationing to more destinations, and Discovery Map is the bridge connecting visitors to local businesses.”

About Discovery Map International
Anacortes, Washington-based Starr Map Company was founded in 1987 by Vicki Starr. Discovery Map International was formed in 1999 as a subsidiary of Starr Map Company. Currently, Discovery Map has 17 franchisees and four corporate-owned territories, serving 21 markets across the United States . Company projections estimate 20 additional markets by the end of 2005. President and founder Vicki Starr is joined by CEO and financial manager Paul Ruh; both develop and implement the company’s strategic direction

View all Discovery Map Press Releases

This article has been read 339 times.

Printer Friendly