The CVVB has developed a mobile site that will allow visitors and residents to browse local restaurants, shops, attractions, services, events and coupons on their phones.
Media Contact: Kristen Rowe, PR Coordinator
717.240.7195 - 717.592.8286 - kristen@visitcumberlandvalley.com
CARLISLE, PA (January 11, 2013) - Residents and visitors to the Cumberland Valley can now access area information on-the-go. The Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau (CVVB) has developed a mobile site that will allow visitors and residents to browse local restaurants, shops, attractions, services, events and coupons on their phones. The mobile site is another example of how the CVVB is expanding accessibility of the Cumberland Valley destination brand.
The CVVB embarked on a rebranding journey in 2008 with a research study completed by Randall Travel Marketing. These findings allowed the CVVB to better understand the current visitor and resident makeup, assisted in developing future target audiences, and laid the groundwork for the existing brand.
In 2010, the CVVB, with the help of North Star Destination Strategies, developed a strategic brand for Cumberland Valley Pennsylvania. This brand includes the new tagline, Found it.TM, and logo that reflects the area's natural beauty and heritage.
The brand highlights the area's top three reasons for visitation: Outdoor Recreation, the Carlisle Car Shows and History/Heritage sites. The brand, which focuses on collections of activities and the discovery of finding what you are looking for, also promotes our unique towns, arts and cultural sites, events and festivals, shops, restaurants and other assets that make Cumberland Valley a travel destination.
In 2011, the CVVB launched the new brand and placed an emphasis on local awareness in the effort to encourage area residents to become brand ambassadors. The brand was promoted locally through attendance at area events, local advertising, and partnerships, like the Sentinel Travel Supplement and opening of the downtown Cumberland Valley Visitors Center, that give residents access to tourism information.
In 2011, the CVVB hired Simpleview to assist with the development of a new interactive website. In August 2012, the CVVB unveiled the newly designed VisitCumberlandValley.com that now offers features including trip planning options, trip ideas and suggestions based on traveler type, the official Cumberland Valley Events Calendar, special offers and coupons, and more to visitors and residents. The new website is already seeing record visitation and engagement numbers due to advertising the site in target markets such as Washington D.C. and Baltimore in the fall of 2012.
The mobile site version, m.visitcumberlandvalley.com, offers easy navigation to top attractions, hotels, restaurants, shops, events, coupons and local services. When a user discovers a location they want to visit they can call or access directions directly from the site. Visitors and residents can also use the events calendar to browse for things to do or the special offers section for packages and coupons.
"We've really enjoyed developing and watching the brand grow throughout these past few years," said Shireen Farr, CVVB Director of Tourism. "We will continue to nurture partnerships and seek innovative ways to expand the Cumberland Valley brand in 2013 and beyond."
The mission of the Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau is to promote Cumberland Valley as a tourist destination, attract visitors to the area, enhance the visitor's experience, and to encourage and promote overnight stays.