Pocono News Section

The Future of Pocono Tourism

The Future of Pocono Tourism - Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 4:43PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, May 15, 2008 @ 04:43pm EST
SCOTRUN - Pocono resorts have plans to bring in even more visitors. Since tourism is the biggest industry in the Poconos, officials always try to find new ways to boost business. They discussed it Thursday at their annual marketing meeting.

The Hilp family from Long Island came to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos after the kids saw an ad online.

The little ones then showed Mom and Grandma.

Jennifer Hilp said, "So mom says - this isn't going to break my wallet. It's not too bad. We can all go and enjoy ourselves."

And that's exactly the way the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau wants its ads to work. The bureau talked about the future of marketing in the Poconos during a meeting at Pocono Manor Thursday.

It was a who's who of Pocono resort owners and managers. They agreed generalized ads are a thing of the past. The future lies on line with ads targeted at specific groups like brides, bikers and of course, families.

Hilp said, "It's not too far. It's a great place to come. It's not expensive at all."

And resort managers believe if their internet plans work, they can bring in thousands of more families.

The visitors bureau will also focus on gas prices. By advertising how close the Poconos are to New York and Philadelphia they will remind visitors that they can get there and back on just one tank.