The Knowlton Tourist
Welcome Center
is one of the busiest welcome centers in New Jersey,
according to Phyllis Oppenheimer, with the state’s Division of Travel and
Tourism.

It greets travelers coming off Interstate 80 as they come into New
Jersey, and local businesses and attractions can
benefit by promoting themselves at these welcome centers and steering
tourists their way, she said.

“People can go online and plan out their trip,” Oppenheimer
said. “But when they come to these welcome centers and physically pick up a
brochure, or have a representative be there to speak of an event or attraction,
about 83 percent will change plans and take advantage of what is being offered.”

The Hope Area Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Oppenheimer
to discuss how officials can boost local tourism in Warren
County.

Warren County
offers many different tourist attractions that appeal to a variety of age
groups and interests: wineries, hiking, fishing and amusement parks. Oppenheimer
met with chamber members and county officials to help them understand
better ways to promote local attractions, and new ideas to put Warren
County on the map as a tourist
destination.

“There are many services that are available through the
Division of Travel and Tourism in New Jersey,”
Oppenheimer said.

Oppenheimer suggested ideas such as local attractions and
businesses promoting their venues through a literature distribution program the
state offers. If a business wants an advertisement, the owner can apply for a
rack card or brochure to be made specifically for their business, as long as it
follows certain size and shape guidelines, she said.

“Once approved the business can ship their card or brochure
to welcome centers throughout the state,” Oppenheimer said.

She also explained how businesses can get listed on tourism
websites. This will allow businesses and venues to post a calendar of events to
help promote what they offer on a larger platform for many to see, Oppenheimer
said

Warren County
freeholder Director Ed Smith said the ideas Oppenheimer shared should help
improve tourism and the economy in the county.

“These provisions and programs will help get some supporting
money or grants for Warren County
next year and will hopefully bring in more local tourism,” he said.

One option is to begin grouping tourism spots or events together
to drive tourism dollars. That will lead to greater tourism within the county.
A tour bus stop can generate about $5,000 a day and overnight stops generate
about $7,000 in revenue, Oppenheimer said. Tour buses will make four or five
stops at locations such as the Delaware Water Gap, Four Sisters Winery or even Land
of Make Believe, which is
celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, she said.

“The ability to create trips that focus on many different
areas of Warren County
is a great idea, and will take smaller attractions and turn them into a bigger
trip,” Smith said.

Although the focus was on Warren
County, Oppenheimer believes that
focusing on just Warren will not
yield the same results as reaching out to other counties, as well.

“I believe the biggest thing to remember is partnerships are
key,” she said. “I encourage the idea of working with other counties with their
own venues and tourist attractions. People want lots of options when they come
to visit, and having more than one county involved gives them those options. We
can’t stand alone and be successful.”