Travel and Tourism Board gets positive financial report

Tuesday's meeting of the Travel and Tourism Board opened on a positive report. Tourism Director Amanda Moeller presented the financial report and said it is up 25 percent from this time last year.

Many of the local hotels and motels are doing very well for this time of year. Hunters, tourists and construction crews all seem to be keeping the local lodging facilities busy. Moeller said the Rainbow Motel is staying open and they have been quite busy. Generally, they shut down about this time of year.

Under old business, Moeller said all the billboards are now done. She said the new billboard south of town looks really good. There are some new designs on several of the little billboards as you enter Thermopolis on Highway 120.

Moeller discussed the Walking Tour App. She was impressed with the proposal from Interactive Travel Guide. They have the ability to put as much information or as little information with in the app, like panoramic pictures of many of the key features here. Their price is $4,000, compared to Madden Media's version that runs around $12,000. Moeller remarked the price can't be beat and she would like to have it incorporated by spring.

Board member Carl Leyba said maybe it would be better to get the more expensive version for all the extra abilities. Leyba said it is key to get people to stay here in town.

The board decided to have Moeller do some research and see if Interactive Travel Guide has some of the extra capabilities available from Madden Media.

Keys to the City will begin November 13. There is only one business of participating businesses last year that has declined this year. Five new businesses have been added to the program. Moeller said she hopes businesses will see a increase in participation since this is the second year of the promotion.

Email Moeller at tourism@thermopolis.com by Nov. 1 if you are interested in participating in the promotion

There was discussion about the special events funding process,, but it soon became evident it would need further looking into. The board decided on putting a work group together by next month.

A motion was made to change the date of the next meeting to November 10 when there will be a full board present to help work the special events funding issues.

Carl Leyba is the new president of the board. Kevin Skates will stay on as vice president, Angie Guyon is the treasurer and Rick Tudor will be secretary.

Moeller reported KTWO had not aired the board's commercial at the right time for Oktobrewfest, but aired the commercial 200 times in a two week period.