Two New Online Resources for Travelers to the Western Catskills

DELHI, NY (07/11/2008)(readMedia)-- Delaware County's tourism efforts are getting a fresh look and new label. The Great Western Catskills of Delaware County campaign kicks off with not one, but two new websites, an online email newsletter for tourists, bookmarks, car stickers, a short video, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. These endeavors will bring to the internet the experience of the gentle mountains, farmlands, river valleys that make the western slopes of the Catskill Mountain Range so appealing and welcoming for travelers.

The first website is the official tourism information found at www.greatwesterncatskills.com. Here visitors can find lodging options and stay and play, or discount packages. Recreational businesses, attractions, shopping and dining, and information on the towns can also be found here. The region has been broken down in to smaller parts to make it easier for travelers to find the right corner of the western Catskills for their travel plans. Content on things to do will be constantly developing, such as adding a "36 hours" type itinerary for each of the four areas of the region.

Tourism Director Patty Cullen is pleased to finally have created a new online experience for visitors to the county. "By looking at website statistics for various tourism properties and their most frequently search for terms, looking at various competitive advertising programs, talking to travelers at trade shows, we came to understand there was some confusion in our name and lack of identity as to where we are located. People think we're Delaware State often or that the Delaware Water Gap is here. They don't know we're in the Catskill Mountains and so close to the metro NYC market. We have to market ourselves according to how the traveler looks for information, not how we think of ourselves."

To help expand the online offerings of the tourism program, a second website for events was created. This is at the address www.delawarecountytoday.com and showcases all events that tourists, second home owners and family guests would like to know about. "Events are something we need to promote to everyone, especially people who live in the towns within a one hour drive of us and our growing second homeowner population." stated Ms. Cullen.

The Great Western Catskills campaign is already paying off. Website requests for the annual Travel Guide are coming in stronger, and calls to the office for additional tourism brochures have increased with the new Antique and Art Gallery directory, Catskill Scenic Trail map and Fishing Map leading the way.

The Delaware County Chamber of Commerce is the designated Tourism Promotion Agency for Delaware County, and manages the State's I Love NY Matching Funds program. To contact the tourism program you can email Patty Cullen at tourism@delawarecounty.org or call 866-775-4425.

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