The Northeast Kingdom Travel and Tourism Association (NEKTTA) has retained the services of PMG Public Relations and Pure Marketing to assist with its marketing and public relations initiatives. This strategic partnership aims to increase visibility of the Northeast Kingdom as a multifaceted travel destination, to strengthen NEKTTA’s extensive network of business partners and to raise awareness among this group about the economic impacts of tourism.
NEKTTA also aims to develop a more cohesive and coordinated effort between all Northeast Kingdom organizations with an interest in tourism, including chambers of commerce.
‘Tourism in this region continues to grow; the Northeast Kingdom has so much to offer visitors,’ said Gloria Bruce, executive director of NEKTTA.
‘Along with this growth come new challenges and opportunities. We need to strengthen the business network here in the Northeast Kingdom ‘ from inns and cabins to four-season resorts ‘ so that all of our efforts are aligned to make the Kingdom an internationally recognized destination,’ she said.
A report completed for the Northern Vermont Development Association (NVDA) in June of 2011, titled ‘Strategic Industries in the Northeast Kingdom,’ found the travel and tourism industry in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom to be a star industry cluster with solid growth during the study period (2001-2009).
To nourish and support this continued growth, the report suggests, ‘increasing communication and coordination among cluster [tourism industry] participants; need for workforce and entrepreneurial development; cultivating the Canadian market; and further marketing of the world-class scenic amenities of the Northeast Kingdom.’
A handful of resorts and destinations in the Northeast Kingdom have been responsible for much of the growth in tourism during the last few years. As these attractions continue to make investments in and draw four-season recreational tourism, NEKTTA’s business partners across the entire Northeast Kingdom have a lot to gain.
‘Tourism hasn’t always been such an economic force here, which is why our small and mid-size businesses need to be keen on how they can benefit from the increase in visitors,’ explained Bruce. ‘Understanding the growing role of tourism and how it affects our businesses is critical to staying relevant and prosperous. During this time of change, we have to work to together to ensure the economic vitality of the entire Northeast Kingdom is secure.’
About NEKTTA
The Northeast Kingdom Travel & Tourism Association (NEKTTA) has administered the regional marketing program for the Northeast Kingdom, since the organizations inception in 1991. The organization provides marketing education, service, support and representation for 9 area Chambers of Commerce and over 180 area businesses.
NEKTTA strives to showcase Vermont's Northeast Kingdom as a destination of choice for travelers. In doing so it is their mission to employ tourism to the benefit of the region by assisting in the development, marketing, and execution of experiential tourism products. To aid in their mission NEKTTA employs the values and principles of agritourism, ecotourism and geotourism. For more information, please visitwww.travelthekingdom.com.
East Burke. 2.14.2012