The Carlsbad Convention & Visitors Bureau wants you to know there is a fresh new face on the Internet.
The bureau has unveiled its newly redesigned Web site at www.visitcarlsbad.com. This has been the most significant change to the bureau's popular tourism destination Web site in six years.
Extensive work has been completed and an all new consumer Web site has evolved with a more contemporary look, reflecting the characteristics of our destination. With the few additional changes that are underway, all of the site's components should be complete within the next few weeks.
“If you look at tourism destination Web sites across the world, this is what people expect to see. We are in a very competitive field and we need to continue updating and adding new content to remain competitive,” said Kurt Burkhart, executive director of the bureau. “As the official travel destination site for Carlsbad, it is important that it be interactive, innovative, highly functional and, above all else, fun.”
The primary intent of the redesign was to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. To achieve this, key items such as the Visitor Guide request, upcoming events and latest news are in a more prominent location on the landing page, as well as new navigation tabs for accommodations, tee-times, e-newsletters, blogs and podcasting.
An integral marketing partner with the bureau since November of 2001, SimpleView Inc. is widely regarded as the team to go to when developing Internet destination marketing solutions. They have designed and maintain travel planning sites representing more than 120 destinations, including New York City, Long Beach and Houston.
Burkhart remembers when the bureau's first site with SimpleView was launched in July of 2002, and the excitement it created within Carlsbad.
“Although you never forget your first one, there's always an incredible feeling of awe when your site goes through a renaissance that goes beyond the visual element,” he said.
Nancy Nayudu, chairwoman of the bureau's board, summed it up in four short words: “They've hit another homerun.”
The new site contains interactive features, like a planner that allows travelers to create a customized Carlsbad itinerary with activities and special events. Coming soon will be an update to the site's existing map, which will allow visitors to plot their activities of interest on a customized printable map.
The state-of-the-art interactive mapping system is available through Navteq, which is used by a number of other top-tier destinations including San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta.
Carlsbad is not known as a mass-market destination. However, the community has many small niche markets such as water sports, golfing, birding, destination resorts, outdoor sporting events and attractions.
The most effective way to target consumers with these particular interests is through e-marketing, and the Web site is one component of that marketing strategy. The site, www.visitcarlsbad.com, is an essential tool to build awareness of Carlsbad as a premier destination.
The new design and features, along with state-of-the-art technology, will effectively differentiate our destination from some of our primary competitors.
The bureau has unveiled its newly redesigned Web site at www.visitcarlsbad.com. This has been the most significant change to the bureau's popular tourism destination Web site in six years.
Extensive work has been completed and an all new consumer Web site has evolved with a more contemporary look, reflecting the characteristics of our destination. With the few additional changes that are underway, all of the site's components should be complete within the next few weeks.
“If you look at tourism destination Web sites across the world, this is what people expect to see. We are in a very competitive field and we need to continue updating and adding new content to remain competitive,” said Kurt Burkhart, executive director of the bureau. “As the official travel destination site for Carlsbad, it is important that it be interactive, innovative, highly functional and, above all else, fun.”
The primary intent of the redesign was to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. To achieve this, key items such as the Visitor Guide request, upcoming events and latest news are in a more prominent location on the landing page, as well as new navigation tabs for accommodations, tee-times, e-newsletters, blogs and podcasting.
An integral marketing partner with the bureau since November of 2001, SimpleView Inc. is widely regarded as the team to go to when developing Internet destination marketing solutions. They have designed and maintain travel planning sites representing more than 120 destinations, including New York City, Long Beach and Houston.
Burkhart remembers when the bureau's first site with SimpleView was launched in July of 2002, and the excitement it created within Carlsbad.
“Although you never forget your first one, there's always an incredible feeling of awe when your site goes through a renaissance that goes beyond the visual element,” he said.
Nancy Nayudu, chairwoman of the bureau's board, summed it up in four short words: “They've hit another homerun.”
The new site contains interactive features, like a planner that allows travelers to create a customized Carlsbad itinerary with activities and special events. Coming soon will be an update to the site's existing map, which will allow visitors to plot their activities of interest on a customized printable map.
The state-of-the-art interactive mapping system is available through Navteq, which is used by a number of other top-tier destinations including San Francisco, Chicago and Atlanta.
Carlsbad is not known as a mass-market destination. However, the community has many small niche markets such as water sports, golfing, birding, destination resorts, outdoor sporting events and attractions.
The most effective way to target consumers with these particular interests is through e-marketing, and the Web site is one component of that marketing strategy. The site, www.visitcarlsbad.com, is an essential tool to build awareness of Carlsbad as a premier destination.
The new design and features, along with state-of-the-art technology, will effectively differentiate our destination from some of our primary competitors.