CLEARFIELD – Holly Komonczi, director of the Clearfield County Recreation and Tourism Authority, presented her annual tourism update to the Clearfield County Commissioners at Tuesday’s regular meeting.
Name/Logo Change & Social Media Presence
Komonczi told the commissioners that the CCRTA currently operates under the “business name,” Visit Clearfield County, and their name change has come with a new logo and outlook. In addition, she said the CCRTA has updated its web site to “keep it modern and fun to make it stand out.”
According to her, the new web site launched just prior to Tuesday’s commissioners meeting. And, its latest version is more user-friendly to Smart Phone users, while they can easily view and navigate pages without “scrolling forever.”
Komonczi said the CCRTA travel planner has been completed but hasn’t been shipped yet. It, too, has undergone a “new look and feel” and encourages readers to visit Clearfield County online. Any Smart Phone user can scan bar codes within the travel planner and be directed to the Web site.
“We’re really pushing the social media,” Komonczi said. “We’re encouraging visitors to post photographs (of their Clearfield County experiences) to our Facebook page and stuff like that.”
She said that the CCRTA exhausted its entire stock of 80,000 travel planners. “And, they say that about two-and-a-half people look at every one of your books.”
Hotel Tax & Grants
Komonczi noted that in their first three quarters, the CCRTA has experienced a 17 percent increase in hotel tax collection. She said it’s been more than all the collections between 2004 and 2009.
According to Komonczi, three new hotels will be opening in Clearfield County, and they’ll be located in Clearfield, DuBois and Falls Creek. She said their locations along Interstate 80 will surely keep them full for years to come.
Komonczi also mentioned the Dancing Crow Cottage at the Curwensville Lake, which is available for rent by night or by the week. She said the “quant” cottage sleeps up to four people and overlooks the lake.
“It’s a great addition to a wonderful property,” she said.
She said the CCRTA awarded grants to 17 businesses, which totaled over $50,000 in 2011. She said the new grant cycle will begin early next year, and the application and guidelines can be found online.
Geo-Trail and Food Challenge
This year, Komonczi said the CCRTA created a geo-trail that covered over 300 miles of Clearfield County. When participants retrieve their coin, they make a donation, and it’s generated about $600 in revenue for the CCRTA.
Further, she said the participants who didn’t stay overnight spent $50 to $100 while here. However, she said people who chose to stay overnight were spending around $200 to $250.
She also said the CCRTA started the “Back Woods, Back Roads, Back Waters” two-day food challenge that currently features Denny’s Beer Barrel pub and The Alley Popper Restaurant and Lounge. She said they’re looking for additional restaurants to participate so that they can expand the challenge into a food trek throughout the county.
In 2012, Komonczi said they’re hoping to coordinate some sort of race event with other local entities. She said they’re looking at racers earning points and competing in a “cup event” similar to that in NASCAR Racing.
“I keep thinking back to prior to 2003 when that board enacted the hotel tax. They were looking for a plan and direction and wanted to see how things could grow and change,” Commissioner Mark B. McCracken said.
“I think you and your staff has done a wonderful job. You’ve produced a product that looks attractive to people (who) are from out of the area. I think you have met our goals.”