New site connects potential visitors to the Valley

The Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau recently launched a new website, alaskavisit.com, in an effort to give potential visitors all the reasons they’ll need to decide to visit the Mat-Su Valley.

The Mat-Su CVB has identified the website as its top marketing tool, and last fall began the redesign project to enhance the site by adding greater functionality and information for potential visitors. Karen Harris, chair of the Internet Committee, led the project forward and provided excellent guidance through the process.

The goals of this new site include increasing gross traffic by more than 15 percent from last year, converting 3 percent of overall site visitors to the sites of our members, and increasing the total leads delivered to members.

The new site is also a benefit for Mat-Su CVB members, as they will have the ability to add multiple photographs to member listings, as well as a list of amenities and a brief narrative. The site gives members the opportunity to increase their marketing effort and visibility to potential visitors, at no additional cost to them.

This project has many positives. Not only does it provide rich content and great visuals to get potential visitors excited about coming to our area, it also promotes economic development for tourism businesses in the Mat-Su Valley because of the increased exposure afforded in the listings. It’s our firm belief that a rising tide lifts all ships, and the more we can do to boost tourism in general the more we ultimately do for individual business owners. More people coming here means more opportunities to succeed for local businesses.

Our new website is the top Internet-related resource we use to market the Mat-Su Valley, but it’s not the only one. In November, the Mat-Su CVB launched a Facebook page, like many businesses have, in an effort to take advantage of the changing face of social media marketing.

“Visit Alaska’s Mat-Su Valley” on Facebook is a way for us to connect with not only the in-state visitor market, but other potential visitors who find the page through searches. We are also on Twitter and have a YouTube channel as a way to take advantage of low-cost marketing opportunities that reach a large audience.

There is no doubt that the Internet is driving marketing efforts, not only for tourism but for business in general. The Internet is constantly evolving and changing, and your marketing plan should be ready for these twists and turns along the way.

Casey Ressler (casey@alaskavisit.com) is marketing and communications manager at the Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau.