Source: CVDaily Feed
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Last week was a big week for tourism in Cache Valley. Julie Hollist-Terrill, Executive Director of the Cache Valley Visitors Bureau, says people from many states and several countries came into her office, including some from Russia, New Zealand and Switzerland to name a few.
She says the Summer Citizens are here for several more weeks and right now a lot of people have started coming for the Utah Festival Opera season.
“I know we’ve had some tour buses that are beginning to stop, at least for meals, on their way up to Jackson (Hole) and Yellowstone, which is exciting,” Hollist-Terrill explains. “The hotels are busy. The economy, we are seeing a rebound, and an increase in tourism.”
Hollist-Terrill says her office has been making a concerted effort to reach out to tour groups, inviting them to stop in Logan on their way to the National Parks in Wyoming. And it seems to be paying off.
“This year is the 100th anniversary of the National Parks so they are going gangbusters. As a result of that, people visiting Yellowstone and Grand Teton we are seeing an increase through Logan.”
She says not only is tourism good for the economy, but it is also good for spreading the word about how great it is in Cache Valley.
She also reveals that some secret shopping is going on in Logan this week. Hollist-Terrill says an international community branding expert is in town, courtesy of the Utah Office of Tourism, to take a no-holds-barred look at what he sees as a visitor and what he feels could be done to improve customer service and profitability.
“Roger Brooks is an international expert in looking at downtowns, in tourism, marketing and branding,” she explains. “We are very fortunate to have him come to Logan.
“Undercover, he is going to be secret shopping all sorts of different places: activities, events, restaurants, hotels, shops, stores, you name it. Then he’ll give a great presentation on July, 15th, Friday.”
She says the report will be given that day from 8:30-11 a.m. at the tourism office in the Historic Cache County Courthouse and the public is invited to attend.
The presentation is expected to be entertaining, enlightening and also extremely helpful.