Members of Visit Potter-Tioga, the official tourist promotion agency for the two counties, are seeing growing success from its marketing activities. VPT attributes this in part to nearly $500,000 worth of online and print advertising driving potential visitors to a vibrant website (visitpottertioga.com). The website is now being tapped by 600,000 people annually. They’re looking for things to do, places to stay and eat, activities to enjoy and sites to see.
VPT was launched in July 2017, formed from the former Tioga County Visitors Bureau (TCVB) and Potter County Visitors Association (PCVA). It’s a unified marketing and technical assistance agency geared toward one goal of importance to both counties – boosting the number of tourists who visit the region to support the local economy. Popular destinations such as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Cherry Springs International Dark Sky Preserve and many others are jointly marketed. Businesses that offer goods and services to visitors are also promoted.
These are critical times for the tourism industry, which still has as its foundation the opportunities for outdoor recreation that abound in both counties. With manufacturing and other major contributors to the economy struggling, many leaders view effective tourism marketing as a promising antidote. Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in becoming involved can call 1-888-846-4228. Annual membership fees of $100 for non-profit organizations and $250 for businesses expose affiliates to a multi-phased marketing campaign. Among VPT’s most effective tools is its annual visitors’ guide, a full-size glossy magazine released each January with a press run in excess of 70,000. More than 40,000 of these guides are sent directly to those who contact VPT for information to plan their visits. Members qualify for a listing and a link on the Visit Potter-Tioga website. Additionally, members can confer with public relations professionals who can share advice on marketing, promotion, advertising, social media, etc.
Many local businesses have seen increases in their revenues since the merger, attributing it to the additional marketing and benefits of their VPT membership. Through the partnership, they get exposure they couldn’t otherwise afford — professional advertising on cable TV, online ads with high search engine ratings and print ads in prestigious travel publications. Businesses and organizations who join by the end of November can qualify for a pro-rated membership rate and still be recognized in the 2020 Visitors Guide that will be distributed starting in January.
