Sullivan County Launches Survey to Support Regional Marketing Campaign | News
NEWPORT — A new survey funded by Sullivan County is seeking feedback from county residents and stakeholders on a range of topics — from restaurant quality to outdoor recreation — to aid in the county’s ongoing efforts to boost tourism region and stimulate economic growth.
The survey, announced Monday on the Sullivan County Facebook page, is the county’s latest information-gathering tool to guide the county’s regional marketing plan, aimed at attracting people from outside the region to the county assets, from its historical and cultural attractions to its diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities.
The project, dubbed the Sugar River Region Destination Development Initiative, “is designed to help us grow our visitor economy while improving the quality of life for our residents,” according to project officials.
The online survey takes approximately 5-10 minutes to complete and responses are recorded anonymously. A link to the survey can be found on the Facebook page, “Sullivan County New Hampshire Government”. A link to the survey can be found at qualtrics.com.
The survey questions focus on the county’s “visitor economy”, a broad term referring to any economic activity, direct or indirect, resulting from a visitor to the county, for whatever purpose, explains the survey.
“In 2020, even during a global pandemic, visitors spent nearly $55 million in our county, generating more than $2.7 million in taxes and creating 828 jobs for our residents,” project officials said. . “While that’s impressive, we know we can do better, given that visitors spent $108 million in Cheshire County, $512 million in Grafton County and $544 million in Merrimack.”
The survey incorporates multiple question formats, ranging from agreement statement questions to ranking items based on priority or quality or quantity of offers.
Investigators are asked to rate the area for accommodation; restaurants, shops and nightlife; artistic and cultural places; HISTORICAL REFERENCES; and outdoor recreation, including fishing and trails.
Importantly, the survey results will also inform the county’s Sugar River Area Trails Project, a $25,000 study and plan being developed in partnership with the County’s Regional Planning Commission. the upper valley of Lake Sunapee.
This project, funded with money received from the US Federal Bailout Act of 2021, will inventory and assess each trail system in Sullivan County, identify system strengths and needs, and develop a plan to boost the public engagement in system support and development.
Participants are also asked to give their opinion on the effectiveness of various marketing strategies, such as the use of social media, print or television advertising, publicity events or the offer of promotional packages.
The survey also asks participants to identify the importance of the region’s needs to be an effective regional destination, such as broadband availability, labor availability, and parking.
Interestingly, the survey also attempts to gauge views that may be less receptive to tourism growth, with questions asking surveyors if they have any concerns or fears about a potential increase in traffic or litter in natural areas or changes in communities due to population growth. or development.
The county launched its regional marketing initiative four years ago in partnership with the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension, which included hiring community and economic development specialist Penelope Whitman to oversee the development of the county’s strategic plan.
Last year, the county adopted the brand “The Sugar River Region” to convey the county’s unifying identity. The brand includes a carefully crafted logo that takes up elements of the county’s natural and man-made assets, from its hardwood forests to a distant wooden bridge that crosses the winding Sugar River as it disappears into a mountainous backdrop.
In addition to the marketing plan, Sullivan County continues to campaign to help build the workforce needed for local industries, which the county is targeting by offering free adult education classes at the regional technical center in Sugar River Valley, through a partnership with the local vocational schools and employment agency TPI Staffing.
The survey will remain open until January 31.
