DUBOIS – Prospective area visitors have been newly equipped with a more advanced Clearfield County travel tool. And so far, it has been quite an online “hit.”
At Wednesday’s regular meeting, Sandy Fink-Barrett, executive director of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority, said that their new Web site’s traffic has been “astronomical.”
Barrett said that the web page attracted more than 1,000 visits in the first eight days of this month. She said that Monday recorded 187 visits, 1,704 page views and 8,835 hits. She said those numbers nearly marked a new record for them.
Barrett said that their investment in the county Web site was important, as it now has supplied potential visitors with a more enhanced information source. She said its features will allow them to make an educated travel decision.
“It’s a marvelous tool, I think, and it just boggles my mind,” said Wilson Fisher, board chairman.
Holly Komonczi, marketing director, unveiled the new Web site at a regular meeting last month. She said then that the site offered many new features.
“It’s more advanced and all new,” she said, adding that they’ve never had many of the current tools.
Komonczi said that she can update the site in-house and that she, in general, has access to everything on the site.
“(We can make) the changes and adjustments quickly, allowing visitors to have the latest in area information,” Barrett said.
Komonczi added, “We can change it on the spot. With our capabilities to change it daily, we and our partners can keep our information fresh and new.”
Communities, Event Calendar & Lodging
In her initial presentation, Komonczi said that on the site, users are able to navigate through specific community areas within Clearfield County under its “Communities” tab. She said that after selecting a community, they can view and download its online brochure, in addition to browsing its partners.
She said that users can also view countywide events on the site’s calendar. She said they are able to select a date and view all its entered events. By clicking on the event, she said they can obtain additional details.
Komonczi said that the site also enables individuals to complete an online form and submit their own event to be added to the calendar. She said that the events listed range from community festivals and live entertainment to fishing tournaments and state park events.
Komonczi said that it is beneficial for others to post their events on their site.
“With our traffic increase and search engine optimization, we will hit more potential visitors,” she explained.
“Our staff also posts our top events on other search engine sites and links back to our calendar.”
Komonczi said that since launching the new site, they have continued to resolve its bugs. She said that they have worked toward the improvement of both the community and calendar tools for the benefit of the user.
“We need to get users on our site and keep them on our site,” said board member Nancy Micks on Wednesday.
Komonczi said most people now plan their travel online and can do so through the site. She said that the site allows users to check rates, availability and book lodging under the “Where to Stay” tab on the homepage. She said the users can also check the lodging locations on an interactive map.
Komonczi said the authority actually earns profits each time a user books lodging through their Web site.
Barrett said that the interactive map tool, which equips visitors with download and print capabilities, is among the best additions to the site.
“With such a large county, even with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and on-board navigational equipment, it is still easy to get lost,” she said. She believes the site’s custom maps that can zoom in on a close level will be very helpful.
Partners
Komonczi said that their partners have a user name and password and can log into the site. She said that they have an online partner listing that is complete with a Web link.
In addition, she said that their partners have been listed on an interactive map. Users are then able to select the partner’s destination and read the provided de scri ption. They are also able to use the map’s tools to zoom in and out for travel information, such as routes and street names.
Komonczi said that if at all possible, she would like their partners to link to the authority’s Web site on their own.
“It will increase our validity,” she said.
Travel-related business owners who would like to partner with the recreation and tourism authority can do so online. Under the “Partners” tab, they are able to access, review and submit their application.
Clearfield County businesses can partner with the CCRTA at no cost. Business can still do so if they’re located outside the county. They, however, are charged an annual fee of $50, according to the Web site.
Partners have the opportunity to receive both free services as well as those for a negotiated fee that is determined by the scale of the project.
Komonczi noted that the free services included a visitor guide listing, a basic web listing and link and referrals. She said that they would also assist in the developing and planning of a marketing campaign for the business.
Komonczi said partners, however, have the option for other paid services, such as targeted brochures and advertising, brochure design and printing, general advertising design (not for CCRTA use) and a banner advertisement and logo listing for the web.
In addition to the Web site, Komonczi said that she will continue to connect with area marketing executives. She said that she has hopes to produce a “winter blues” campaign that will result in increased county visitors during the winter season.
She said that wintertime is the slowest in the tourism business. She said that she’s working with several regional companies on packages and travel discounts for the winter season.
“We need to increase our overnight stays during the cold months, and we have a great deal of winter activities to do,” she said.
Komonczi said that last year she developed a winter brochure but would like to develop discounted packages, so that travelers can enjoy doing so during those “cold, dreary months.”
“It’s a challenge that I’ve put out there for myself,” she said. She said that she plans to continue soliciting ideas for the campaign.
For additional campaign information or to submit an idea, please contact Holly Komonczi at hkomonczi@clearfieldco.org.
