Pictured: Debbie Robinson,
Executive Director Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention Bureau,
and Chuck Fair, President.
Debbie Robinson,
Executive Director of the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors and Convention
Bureau, explained that the goals for the Visitors Bureau are to encourage
people to visit Guernsey County and to teach community members and businesses
make the most of the economic opportunities tourists provide.
In 2014, the Visitors Bureau began a new
program called GAP -which provided $10,000 to help local non-profits increase
over night stays in the area. Eight local organizations received funds from
this program. Robinson pointed out that day trippers spent on average $104 per
visit. A visitor who stays overnight averages over $300 or 3 times what a day
tripper spends.
Robinson said, “Tourism benefits the
whole community not just businesses directly involved in tourism.” Economic
benefits from tourism are significant. Figures from the 2013 tourist season
indicated that tourism brought in about $145.8 thousand dollars and generated
about $1.9 million in taxes. Tourism provided employment for 1,707 people,
supported 1 out of every 10 jobs in the county, and paid 10% of the salaries
for salaried employees All of this contributes to a better quality of life for local
residents.
Robinson explained a big part of her job
is to keep people touring the Guernsey County. She accomplishes this with a
carefully planned marketing campaign. Robinson said that in today’s mass
marketing world, she must make between 7-9 contacts with a potential customer
before that customer will take action and choose to visit Guernsey County.
The Visitors Bureau’s marketing efforts
include social media, person to person contact as well as paper. Publications
in paper include news releases, travel guides, brochures, and direct mailings.
Social media includes a web site as well as a mobile website, interactive map
and e-newsletter. Some marketing efforts come in three versions. One for each
of the different markets the Visitors Bureau is trying to reach—1) the leisure
traveler, 2) group tour operators, and 3) local business partners.
What can members of the community like
the Byesville Rotarians do to help build tourism? Robinson said everyone can
help by simply being courteous and welcoming to visitors. Each visitor should
leave Guernsey County wanting to come back and willing to recommend a visit to
their friends and family.
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