Asheville Tourism Marketers Start Using the Internet

The Western Carolina Business Journal recently had an article on how Asheville Tourism Marketers such as the Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau, Biltmore, and Grove Park are using the Internet to market their tourism sites.

In the article, the journalist (Nathan Cain) revealed some interesting facts.  Here are the high points…

Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau (www.ExploreAsheville.com)

• Uses a Pittsburgh-based called “Ripple Effects Interactive Inc” firm
• Spends about 10 percent of their $2.2 million budget on Internet Marketing.
• Uses SEO, PPC, banner ads, and Podcasting.
• Likes banner ads.

Biltmore Estate (www.Biltmore.com)

• Uses Charlotte-based “Websitebiz” firm
• Had no budget before 2005 for Internet Marketing (unbelievable!)
• Uses SEO, PPC, banner ads, and Podcasting
• Saw a 33% increase in visitors in 2006.
• Spent about 5% of it’s advertising budget online in 2005.  Will be 10% in 2006.

Grove Park Inn (www.GroveParkInn.com)

• Spends about 1% ($30K) on advertising and marketing budget.
• Advertises on RomanticAsheville.com and Asheville.com.
• Email list has about 25K subscribers.

Others?

• Interestingly, I work with both Chimney Rock Park and Cherokee Indians locally to handle their Internet Marketing.  I wonder why Mr. Nathan Cain didn’t contact me? 

Observations

1. Note that almost all of them have been increasing their online spending and expect to increase it even more.
2. It’s about time that the local tourism industry in Asheville is starting to invest in online marketing.  It seems they all are quite a bit behind the times.  The tourism industry has long recognized the power of online marketing, especially in search.
3. Why do the big players look outside Asheville for “firms” to handle their online marketing?  I know that we don’t have many with good experience here locally, but none of these players even contacted me (or my local colleagues).  Shouldn’t they at least ask?
4. Kudos to Chimney Rock Park and the Cherokee Indians for checking into and using local agencies such as myself and The Goss Agency.  Thanks!

Popularity: 11% [?]