La Lola Experience
Brand Creation and Sensory Storytelling
Role: Co-founder & Marketing Coordinator
Company: La Lola Experience
Project type: Marketing and communication strategy
Project Year: 2019 - 2020
Tools: Adobe Creative Suite, photography, social media
Deliverables: Social media content, copywriting, brand identity, measurable results
Objective:
Transform a historic hacienda into a self-sustaining cultural destination by blending history, gastronomy, and storytelling into an authentic experience. The primary goal is to attract a diverse range of visitors, cultivate interest in Ecuador’s colonial heritage, and support local tourism.
About:
La Lola Experience revitalized an abandoned colonial hacienda, creating a multi-sensory journey that celebrated Ecuadorian history, art, and gastronomy. The project aimed to preserve the hacienda’s invaluable art collection while promoting tourism and cultural appreciation.
Problem Space:
Despite meticulous planning and execution, the main challenge for La Lola Experience was attracting customers to book events. The venue’s remote location presented logistical difficulties, and establishing a presence in the local market proved challenging. Consequently, our success depended heavily on a robust marketing strategy to effectively reach potential visitors and communicate the unique value of this experience.
Research:
We identified that the international market offered a more receptive audience for La Lola Experience. Travelers visiting the outskirts of Quito frequently passed near our venue, making it an ideal midpoint for those on day trips. International visitors displayed greater enthusiasm for the hacienda’s art collection and historical significance, engaging deeply with the immersive experience.
In contrast, we found that the local market showed less interest in Ecuadorian heritage than we’d anticipated, this became our primary challenge. Our efforts shifted toward designing strategies that inspire local audiences to embrace the cultural and historical richness that La Lola Experience offered.
Approach:
Targeted Experiences:
Day Packages for Tourists: Offered international travelers a full estate tour and a specially crafted menu, positioning La Lola as a cultural midpoint for day trips.
Full Experience by Reservation: Created a ten-course menu inspired by traditional Ecuadorian Andean Creole cuisine, available by reservation for an exclusive gastronomic journey.
Strategic Partnerships:
Partnered with tourism agencies and Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism to secure consistent bookings for groups of 8 or more, tripling event booking.
Local Market Outreach:
Invited Clave! magazine to experience La Lola, resulting in a four-page feature that sparked local engagement.
Launched event-based experiences, including live-music brunches with local food vendors, to resonate with local audiences.
Click the link to read Clave! magazine‘s review of La Lola Experience
Social Media & Influencer Campaigns:
Produced visually engaging content and collaborated with influencers to build a vibrant digital community around La Lola’s cultural appeal
These initiatives not only boosted our bookings but also established La Lola Experience as a cultural destination for a wide audience.
Solution:
This tailored approach enabled us to address the needs of our diverse audiences while driving growth in the local market, one of our primary objectives from the outset. By offering distinct experiences for international and local visitors, we enhanced accessibility and appeal for each group. Strategic alliances with tourism agencies and the Ministry of Tourism ensured consistent international bookings, while targeted media exposure through magazines and community-focused events helped us gain traction locally.
Key Achievements
Revitalized a historic hacienda into a thriving cultural destination.
Tripled event bookings through strategic partnerships and targeted marketing.
Increased local engagement through media features and community events.
Built a strong social media presence, connecting with a global audience.
Improving my process:
One area for improvement is expanding the variety of activities we offer by further developing La Lola as a cultural and educational destination. We plan to engage academic circles, including art historians and schools while hosting events like art talks and book clubs to attract intellectually curious visitors. Additionally, educational workshops on traditional crafts and seasonal cultural festivals will provide recurring, hands-on experiences, fostering a deeper connection with Ecuador’s heritage and positioning La Lola as a vibrant cultural hub.