23% increase crushes previous annual records and inspires dynamic experiences for more visitors
ORANGE COUNTY, N.Y. (Jan. 9, 2024) – The Orange County Tourism website, orangetourism.org, drew record-breaking traffic over the past year, surpassing 1 million annual visits for the first time.
The surge of website visits represented a 23% increase over 2022’s visits, which set the previous record. The increase was powered by a combination of Orange County’s many assets, County Executive Steven Neuhaus’ Four Seasons Campaign to promote year-round tourism and marketing strategies from the Tourism Department.
“A county with as many popular destinations as Orange County, N.Y., needs a dynamic, easy-to-use website to serve as the virtual gateway and roadmap for our visitors,” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism and Film. “Not only have we improved our website with eye-catching photos, easy-to-navigate webpages, and personal itinerary creation, but we have implemented creative marketing strategies successfully driving traffic to our site. Planning your trip has never been easier!”
“In Orange County, we have a unique blend of charming downtowns, natural beauty, fun activities for all and opportunities for escape, exploration and relaxation,” Neuhaus said. “Making investments in Orange County Tourism’s website and a variety of other marketing initiatives have led to success on many different levels. Reaching one million visits to this tourism gateway in one year is a testament to our incredible county, which is rich with fun-filled tourism assets.”
Orange County recently enhanced the website in collaboration with Focus Media, the tourism office’s Goshen, N.Y.-based public relations agency of record, and ITI Digital, a software solutions and digital service pioneer serving the travel industry. The site gives visitors access to everything they need within a single website – making trip planning a breeze. The upgrades created a dynamic look and through integration with Google Places, added features such as interactive GPS-enabled itineraries, and automated real-time dynamic content. The Tourism website has gone beyond a portal of static content and engages visitors to easily customize an itinerary for visiting Orange County, N.Y.!
Strategies utilized to increase traffic to the website include targeted digital advertising, social media advertising and organic growth, and calendar listings with more eye-catching photographs. The function for creating personal itineraries guides users through a simple process that suggests points of interest, places to eat and anything else the prospective visitor seeks. A highlight is the craft beverage section, which was expanded into a distinct microsite within the larger site, with profiles and videos of the breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries.
Among the site’s additions are:
- The Taste the Craft Trail Pass
- The Family Fun Trail Pass
- A new travel guide
- A wealth of new videos that include top destinations, craft beverage locations, family fun opportunities and more.
A steady stream of press releases posted to the website, with images, adds another dimension to promoting the county’s assets while maximizing search engine optimization (SEO). Images and landing pages are updated quarterly to showcase the seasons and offer a fresh look. Email sign-ups and travel guide request forms create strong calls to action and user interaction.
“Our strategic and innovative improvements continue to drive visitors to the website,” Dana said. “We invite you to check out orangetourism.org’s many offerings, and of course, to visit Orange County, N.Y., for good times and great memories.”
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events and film resources can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page travel guide is available for digital download at orangetourism.org/travel-guide/.
