GO Laurel Highlands place of work marks Journey and Tourism 7 days with open up properties, on-line prizes

The place marketing and advertising firm for Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties, is spotlighting the “Power of Travel” through Countrywide Vacation and Tourism 7 days, held through the initial week of Might.

Ligonier-based GO Laurel Highlands also will welcome website visitors all through two open up dwelling situations, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at its new place of work on the town’s Diamond, 113 E. Main St.

As officers ease guidance on out of doors wellbeing safeguards during the covid-19 pandemic, the staff is encouraging people and residents alike to check out the area’s “wide-open up spaces” and acquire aspect in its financial recovery.

“Every particular person has the electricity and own alternative to aid our sector recuperate,” explained Ann Nemanic, executive director. “Travel is a potent resource a person that aids in one’s actual physical and mental well-currently being. The Laurel Highlands is a place where by these features are intricately woven into the cloth of our landscape.”

In accordance to the annual condition study Financial Impression of Journey & Tourism in Pennsylvania, in 2019, right before the pandemic, readers invested a report $1.92 billion in the a few Laurel Highlands counties, up from approximately $1.85 billion in 2018.

When the vacation field took a strike from the pandemic, and social distancing became a way of lifestyle, the marketer targeted on the region’s out of doors leisure belongings. Nemanic reported “that messaging will continue on through 2021.”

Ski resorts presented a enhance to tourism through this year’s initial quarter, Nemanic explained, noting lodging experiences clearly show occupancy amounts in March were up 40% from the same thirty day period a yr previously.

“We know from our website analytics that lookups and bookings for getaway rentals are by way of the roof,” she mentioned. “Our campground companions are observing places currently being reserved speedily.”

People who can not make it through one of the open residence events can check out out the new office environment and visitor middle all through frequent hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The business office is open some weekends when unique occasions are happening in Ligonier. Masks are necessary for website visitors to the office, which can be reached at 724-238-5661.

Additional space

Immediately after extra than 20 decades occupying an business at the borough town corridor, the bureau moved across the Diamond to a 3-tale developing, formerly occupied by Conte Style and design Lifestyle Gallery, that features a storefront in the coronary heart of the enterprise district.

“We settled on the constructing soon in advance of the pandemic and relocated to the facility previous spring and into the summer time,” stated Anna Weltz, director of general public relations and neighborhood relations.

Readers to the new business office can purchase items these as drinking eyeglasses, drinking water bottles, duffel baggage and attire featuring the organization’s new emblem.

The organization concluded its re-branding, settling on a shorter title, shortly ahead of the shift to its new location. “We gently worked it in in 2020, and it’s been properly been given,” Weltz claimed.

All through the tourism 7 days celebration, the bureau will spouse with 7 other Western Pennsylvania place promoting businesses including VisitPittsburgh and teams in Erie and Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties in a cross-marketing effort. Every organization will provide the some others with gift cards or other prizes to be given absent by way of social media.

Laurel Highlands-themed prizes involve gift cards from Irwin-based Greenhouse Winery to pair with Laurel Highlands Pour Tour passports, admissions to Dwelling Treasures Wild Animal Park, and reward cards from Valley Dairy places to eat.