NEW CASTLE, Pa. – The Visit Lawrence County website last year launched a “build your own suitcase” feature that lets viewers create their own tourism itinerary.
Since its launch in 2022, more than 2,000 points of interests have been saved, says Janet Falotico, executive director of the bureau.
Last year, VisitLawrenceCounty.com got more than 250,000 page views. Aside from the United States, the site received the most views from China and United Kingdom, according to Falotico.
The tourism bureau, which is headquartered in New Castle, Pa., has printed 50,000 copies of its 2023 tourism guide and has already distributed 25,000 of them throughout Pennsylvania and Ohio, Falotico says.
Meanwhile, the Lawrence County Burger Trail Passport is going digital this year. Participants will be able to collect points by visiting eligible restaurants in the county and redeem them for prizes.
New this year will be the Lawrence County Coffee Club, which will highlight seven coffee shops, Falotico says.
Visit Lawrence County has budgeted $15,000 to spend this year on sponsoring local events, such as festivals.
Falotico says agency representatives attended several tourism industry trade shows last year in an effort to improve marketing. The bureau has since teamed with Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations to help extend its reach.
And the bureau has increased its collaboration and advertising with the state tourism department.
Visit Lawrence County still offers a free listing on its website and visitors guide to all tourism related businesses in its area. But it has returned to a paid membership for companies that want the extended benefits of being a paid member.
It has learned that the state (other than Pennsylvania) from which most tourism inquiries are received is New York (12,000 per year), followed by Ohio (10,000) and Virginia (9,000).