Landis Arboretum Participates in Cell Phone Driving Tour Test

• by Landis Arboretum

Tourism promotion will take a step into the 21st century with the introduction of a driving tour of Schoharie County that can be accessed via cell phones. This is a one-month trial to test the technology and feasibility of developing a variety of themed tours to move people into and around within the county.

At each point of interest, a short recorded message can be heard by calling (518) 823-1293 then pressing the number corresponding to the "stop" or location on the tour. Access to the service is free and users pay only their normal plan minute charges.

"Since many people have unlimited weekend minutes, the calls can be completely free, says Old Stone Fort Museum director Carle Kopecky, who developed the cell phone tour idea for Schoharie County Tourism. "The Schoharie County Economic Summit identified themed driving tours as a potential tourism promotion tool" says Kopecky, "but this application of new technology should have added appeal, especially to more tech-savvy travelers." The trial tour includes 14 different messages at 9 locations in the northern half of the county.

The Driving Tours will be launched during the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair, where visitors will be able to obtain maps of the tour and try the service on their way home. There will also be temporary lawn signs with the phone and stop numbers at each location along the roadside. Maps also will be available at the visitor information center at the Chamber of Commerce office in Schoharie and other tourism sites.

Data gathered from the cell phone service provider, On Cell Audio of Rochester, NY, including the number of calls, the stops called, time-of-day and week, and user comments, will help officials decide whether to develop the concept further.

The trial program was produced with the assistance of WSDE Radio 1190 Cobleskill, My Shopper, the Iroquois Indian Museum, the Landis Arboretum, and Words, Voices, Idea Architects.

Contact: Carle Kopecky, Schoharie County Historical Society, Old Stone Fort Museum Complex, 145 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY 12157, director@schohariehistory.net; (518) 295-7192

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Old Stone Fort Museum. Eight historic and museum buildings exhibiting 300 years of rural New York history at a Revolutionary War battle site. Self-guided tours, customized educational and group programs, research and genealogy library, museum store, special events and more. 145 Fort Road, Schoharie, NY 12157, (518) 295-7192, http://www.schohariehistory.net. Open May through October.

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