As members of the Fremont County Tourism Council (FCTC) analyze the number of internet visits to the council's official web site, www.rgcountry.com, the next challenge is to come up with a message that will compete with other Colorado attractions.
R.A. Burrell of Internet Honey told FCTC last month that the number of visits to the Royal Gorge Country web site is up significantly within Colorado, as well as from California, Illinois, and New York. Burrell said web visits from New York State are up about five times. He said there has also been a significant growth in web site visits from Denver and the Front Range region. He said what's puzzling is that inquiries from Texas, typically one of Colorado's strongest markets, have gone down.
Burrell said the growth could be attributed to the overall increased marketing campaign for Colorado tourism but he added that the interest has particularly peaked in relation to Colorado sightseeing. But when it comes to connecting web visits to tourists who actually travel to Fremont County, Burrell notes that unfortunately Fremont County doesn't have the exclusive market for beautiful Colorado scenery.
He said the Royal Gorge is of course unique to Fremont County, but there must be a further "call to action" of what will make Fremont County a unique place to visit for the traveling family. Burrell challenged the Tourism Council saying, "What is the conversation we will have with that family once they check out the Royal Gorge? How will the Royal Gorge compete against a Steamboat Springs or Summit County?" Burrell said what must happen next with internet promotion for www.rgcountry.com is the need to move the Royal Gorge to new markets that don't know the area. He said that's the task ahead for FCTC to develop a 'branding' campaign.
R.A. Burrell of Internet Honey told FCTC last month that the number of visits to the Royal Gorge Country web site is up significantly within Colorado, as well as from California, Illinois, and New York. Burrell said web visits from New York State are up about five times. He said there has also been a significant growth in web site visits from Denver and the Front Range region. He said what's puzzling is that inquiries from Texas, typically one of Colorado's strongest markets, have gone down.
Burrell said the growth could be attributed to the overall increased marketing campaign for Colorado tourism but he added that the interest has particularly peaked in relation to Colorado sightseeing. But when it comes to connecting web visits to tourists who actually travel to Fremont County, Burrell notes that unfortunately Fremont County doesn't have the exclusive market for beautiful Colorado scenery.
He said the Royal Gorge is of course unique to Fremont County, but there must be a further "call to action" of what will make Fremont County a unique place to visit for the traveling family. Burrell challenged the Tourism Council saying, "What is the conversation we will have with that family once they check out the Royal Gorge? How will the Royal Gorge compete against a Steamboat Springs or Summit County?" Burrell said what must happen next with internet promotion for www.rgcountry.com is the need to move the Royal Gorge to new markets that don't know the area. He said that's the task ahead for FCTC to develop a 'branding' campaign.
For more information about the Royal Gorge region and area attractions, visit the RGCountry.com website.