November 12 , 2007
By Rebekah Binger
Two years after its inception, the Rockland Business Association’s Hospitality and Tourism Alliance is refining its focus to attract specific tour groups to Rockland County. The new agenda will target three main groups: Canadian tourists, Asian tourism groups that come through Canada, and school related groups, said Roger Scheiber, RBA Vice President, Development.
“Previously the focus was very general,” Scheiber said. “Now we are going to concentrate on our marketing assets. We’ll highlight our location, competitive pricing of hotels and restaurants, and create an understanding for tour operators about our closeness to New York and how to get there.”
HTA members said Rockland’s close proximity to New York City is the biggest draw for tourists. “There’s a lack of knowledge on just where exactly we are located,” said Christina Ricca, HTA member and director of sales for the Park Ridge Marriott in Park Ridge, NJ. “We are trying to align Rockland County with NYC as a stay over place. Not only can they stay in a great place and get good rates, but also there’s much to do here.”
Rockland attractions will also be a centerpiece of the marketing campaign. “There is so much to see and do right here in Rockland,” said HTA Chair Greg Parseghian and general manager of the Best Western in Nyack. “There’s everything from the Palisades Center Mall, to historical places like Stony Point Battlefield and the DeWint House at Tappan, hiking trails, and the Challenger Space Center in Suffern.”
Efforts to attract the targeted groups will include carefully chosen trade shows and the possible creation of a website showcasing Rockland attractions and accommodations, Scheiber said. “We need to concentrate our efforts on targeting the Thanksgiving period of time where many youth groups go into the city for events like the Macy’s Day Parade,” he said.
Maria Rodd of Casablanca Event Planning in Pomona represents the HTA at national trade shows. Rodd said selling Rockland to tour managers could be difficult. “We face the battle of West Point to the north and NYC to the South with no easy transportation,” Rodd said. “It is a challenge, but one we can over come.”
Rodd will represent the HTA in March at a motor coach show in Milwaukee, WI. “That is a geographic market place we have not had exposure in in many years,” Rodd said.
Any members interested in joining the HTA in their new efforts should contact Roger Schieber at 845-735-2100 or rba@rocklandbusiness.org. |
