Wyoming gets positive response to tourism ads

When the phones start ringing in March, it’s a good sign for Wyoming tourism.

Three months from the end of the school year is when families start planning summer vacations, so it’s no coincidence that the Wyoming Travel and Tourism Division targets its main summer marketing efforts during that period.

Earlier this year, the division launched a $1 million advertising campaign, reaching out to national as well as regional markets with print, television, billboard and other ads.

The move seems to be working. Inquiries during March were up 39 percent over the same month last year.

"March is a great indicator month," Wyoming Travel and Tourism Director Diane Shober said.

In 2004, the state provided about $1 million more for marketing to boost the state’s tourism profile in national and international markets.

That’s not to say the regional markets are being ignored. The main push to advertise along the Front Range of Colorado, Salt Lake City and Billings will come in May for the summer and fall seasons.

Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/04/14/build/wyoming/30-tourism-ads.inc