Destination Gettysburg posts an abundance of content on social media such as monthly cooking videos, local dish spotlights and Gettysburg Road Tripping videos. With the goal to always be improving how we market the destination, the Gettysburg Road Tripping videos were examined and recently reworked into a new format.
 
Traditionally, Road Tripping videos only showcased one location. That one location was talked about, b-roll of the venue was shown and then it was tied into other Gettysburg activities. The new videos will now be more interactive by including multiple stops and featuring the host personally experiencing each stop. Each video will be presented as a themed itinerary.
 
"These new videos will be more inspirational to our visitors," said Paige Neidig, Content Manager and Gettysburg Road Tripping host. "They will learn about experiences in Adams County and watch someone else enjoy each location. In turn, we think they'll be more inspired to plan their own Gettysburg road trips."

>> Check out the Spring Getaway Road Tripping Video

​The momentum from a successful 2017 season in Adams County tourism has spilled over into the first quarter of this year with both hotel demand and revenue increasing significantly.
 
Through March, the number of hotel rooms sold in Adams County was 72,468, marking an increase of 10.8 percent over the same months in 2017, according to Smith Travel Research (STR). In addition, the revenue generated in the first quarter of 2018 exceeded $5.8 million, an increase of 9.2 percent. Yearly revenue in 2017 set an all-time record of $52 million.
 
STR measures and estimates data compiled by hotels throughout Adams County. A similar, but separate report, calculates data submitted by bed and breakfasts.
 
B&Bs posted increases of 22.6 percent in demand and 10.3 percent in revenue for the first quarter of 2018. Revenue among eight participating B&Bs, neared $300,000 for the three-month period.
 
Both B&Bs and hotel properties, however, posted declines in the average daily rate (ADR) charged to overnight guests, at -10 percent and -1.5 percent, respectively.

​National Travel & Tourism Week is quickly approaching, and Destination Gettysburg is excited to be working again with the U.S. Travel Association to spread the importance of tourism throughout our communities.
 
This year, the theme is "Travel: Then & Now," an opportunity for destinations like Adams County to take a look back at tourism in their communities, to reflect on past successes, while advocating for policies that promote future growth.
 
In that spirit, Destination Gettysburg is looking at compiling photographs for a display on its industry website, GettysburgTourismWorks.com as well as social media channels and press releases throughout National Travel & Tourism Week, May 6-12.
 
We are looking for old photographs, postcards, brochures and other materials that reflect the Adams County tourism community over the past several decades. We also encourage our member businesses and organizations to post their own collections of old photographs and materials and use the hashtag, #NTTW18 and #GettysburgTourismWorks. It's a great way to remind our audiences near and far about the importance of travel in our lives and in our communities.
 
Please send photographs, scans of documents or other materials to Rachel Wright, Communications Assistant, at [email protected].
 
Meanwhile, stay tuned for more information on how Destination Gettysburg is commemorating this year's National Travel & Tourism Week.

​Membership with Destination Gettysburg is near an all-time high at 323 members, with more than 51 new members signing on in the past 12 months. This success is the result of increased efforts to recruit and retain members through a growing member services team at Destination Gettysburg.
 
Last year, with the intent of not only adding new members, but working closer with existing members and foster development among those businesses and organizations, Destination Gettysburg developed two new positions to expand the membership department. Melissa Cruys, Member Services Manager, and Erin Pearce, Membership Assistant, are now working with Donna White, Director of Member Services, to establish better relationships with members, as well as recruit new members throughout the region.
 
The increase in staff has allowed Destination Gettysburg to visit one-on-one with more members and work through the many benefits available to them, as well as better determine what the needs are of those businesses. Additionally, the membership department has created the Hospitality Hero program to better engage front-line employees.
 
New members are profiled in Destination Gettysburg's weekly newsletter as a way to connect existing members with new opportunities by working together.
 
If you'd like to meet with Destination Gettysburg's team and discuss the benefits available to you, or to learn how to engage other members with what's happening at your business, email Melissa Cruys at [email protected].

Last Thursday, Destination Gettysburg's Hospitality Hero program had a mixer at the Antrim 1844 Hotel in Taneytown Md. Attendees enjoyed complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres, as well as a property tour as well as the opportunity to network with hotel employees and other front-line staff. 
 
Hospitality Heroes is a program created by Destination Gettysburg for front-line staff throughout Adams County. Monthly outings and networking mixers are held at businesses throughout the region to get the front-line employees out and about to personally experience what the destination has to offer. So far, Hospitality Heroes has had events at a winery, a horseback tour company, shops around town, hotels and went on a battlefield tour. In addition to networking events, a monthly newsletter is published and includes customer service tips, events that will be in the area and monthly business features. 
 
If you're interested in becoming a Hospitality Hero, or signing up your front-line staff, visit the 
sign-up page here. If you're interested in hosting a Hospitality Heroes mixer to showcase your business and what you offer, or if you have questions about the program, email Erin Pearce, Membership Assistant, at [email protected].
 
>> Latest Hospitality Hero Mixer Photos

​Destination Gettysburg has honored Shriver House's Director Nancie Gudmestad with the Jim Getty "Spirit of Gettysburg" Award, given annually to an individual in the Adams County tourism community who exemplifies leadership, contribution and dedication to the industry.
 
Gudmestad was given the award at Destination Gettysburg's Annual Dinner on March 27.
 
"Nancie Gudmestad will always be known for her work with her husband in restoring the Shriver House Museum," said Norris Flowers, President of Destination Gettysburg. "But Nancie's contribution to the tourism industry goes back decades and includes a variety of work to better the community."
 
You can check out Nancie's story here, as part of a video interview conducted by Destination Gettysburg.
 
Nancie and her husband, Del, first came to Adams County in 1984 and opened the Appleford Inn, the region's first bed and breakfast. Later, the couple turned an automobile salvage yard on Baltimore Pike into Mulligan MacDuffer Adventure Golf.
 
But it was curiosity and passion behind one of Gettysburg's own families that will perhaps, leave the strongest legacy for both Nancie and her husband.
 
>> Read More