CVC unveils new look to local businesses
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- The Amarillo Convention and Visitor Council or (CVC) unveiled its new-look web site Wednesday at the Don Harrington Discovery Center's Space Theatre. Representatives from local attractions and hotels watched the presentation with great interest.
The web site is geared to increase tourism through a new booking engine for hotels, along with better graphics and pictures of our local attractions.
"Beautiful new graphics, a western look, but a lot of 21st century up-to-the-minute web site technology to help our visitors, so we're very excited." said Eric Miller, director of communications for the Amarillo CVC.
"It's to make it as easy as possible for a web surfer to learn about Amarillo and then hopefully book a visit to Amarillo," said Miller.
The Amarillo CVC is also concentrating a lot more on online marketing as well. They have partnered up with AJR Media group out of Spring, TX, who did the web site design and as in charge of ongoing web site maintenance.
Part of the new change is that there are plans to use other online sites like Tripadvisor.com, MapQuest.com, and Weather.com to attract more interest in Amarillo.
"Everybody's on the web, so you really do have to keep up in a competitive world, so from that point of view, it's very, very important for us to stay up-to-date in the Web world for Amarillo," said Eric Miller.
"We want a web site that is reflective of Amarillo, it's easy to use, has lots of good information, and it helps the traveler or visitor to not only make up their mind but also maybe even book travel to Amarillo," said Miller.
In the coming months hoteliers and those who own lodging in the Panhandle will sign up for a direct booking engine within the site. This should help visitors book directly online without going through a third party, and should benefit the lodging businesses here locally.
One thing is certain as cities across the U.S. compete for tourists and visitors -- an upgraded web site should help level the playing field for Amarillo.
