Essex launches tourism website
After months of tinkering, Essex has launched its new tourism website.
“We are really very happy with it,” said Laurie Brett, manager of communications with the Town of Essex. “I think the website speaks for itself with how great the information is and the vivid photographs that complement it.
“But a website is a work in progress so there are still other things that will be added over time.”
The idea for TourismEssex.ca was started in September and it took more than three months to design the finished product. The new website is designed to promote accommodations, attractions and activities in Essex.
“This was something council really wanted,” Brett said. “They have been wanting to promote our local attractions and some of the things happening along Lake Erie.”
TourismEssex.ca encourages visitors to book a stay, attend a festival or visit a wide selection of attractions and businesses. The website is filled with photographs promoting local landmarks and provides suggested itineraries, such as “42 things to do on parallel 42.” Visitors can choose from different categories like See & Do, Eat & Drink, Top 10 Tours, and Stay and Plan Your Trip.
“We really identified our three main platforms: wineries, waterfront and cycling, along with our heritage landmarks,” Brett said. “We’ve also described the authentic experiences that a visitor might expect to have while here.”
The site also includes a directory profiling businesses and attractions already targeting tourists and actively maintaining an online presence. The tourism directory focuses on wineries, restaurants, attractions and gift shops but is expected to expand as more businesses are profiled.
“We are trying to create a place where people can highlight their business or services,” she said. “Kind of a one-stop location. It’s like a business directory, only much more enhanced. It’s for those businesses that are already market-ready — those that have an online presence with a website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.”
In the second phase of the project, Essex will host a series of workshops for businesses that want to become market-ready.
We ... identified our three main platforms: wineries, waterfront and cycling, along with our heritage landmarks.