EDC makes bid for tourism promotion

(Davenport, WA December 19, 2016.) Tourism opportunities in Lincoln County need a stronger online presence. That was the message from Margie Hall, director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Council, during the December 5 meeting of the county commissioners. The EDC, which contracts with the county to act on their behalf as the Lincoln County Visitor & Convention Bureau, presented a 2017 tourism promotion proposal that includes utilizing $4,000 to roll out a new Internet and social media tourism program.

It is becoming increasingly difficult to be found on major search engines unless you buy your way to the top, according to Hall. Instead of relying on potential visitors finding our tourism opportunities on search engines, the visitor bureau would become active on multiple social media platforms that can improve tourist targeting and send them directly where we want them to go, no searching needed. The project is scheduled to begin immediately as it presents a sizable learning curve in terms of selecting the best platforms, producing the most effective content, and researching online advertising options. EDC staff member Joyce Mings will administer the project and plans to share what she learns with others in Lincoln County who struggle to maintain a presence on the Internet.

Other items in the proposal include advertising in Dept. of Fish & Wildlife regulation pamphlets; distribution of tourism information at rest areas along I-5 and I-90; miscellaneous print advertising; assistance with promotion of the Lincoln County Fair and fairgrounds and assistance with promotion of the Inland Northwest Rail Museum to build awareness of the new tourist attraction.

The funding used by the bureau is lodging-tax dollars collected from the unincorporated areas of the county, the majority of which come from Lake Roosevelt houseboat rentals. All bureau proposals go before the county’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. This state-mandated committee has the opportunity to provide commissioners with comments on how lodging-tax dollars are used. There is currently one vacancy on the advisory committee. If you are the owner or manager of a business in an unincorporated area of Lincoln County and you collect lodging tax, you are eligible to apply. If interested, please contact the Visitor & Convention Bureau at 368-7085.