A campaign to boost Colorado Springs area tourism in the wake of the Waldo Canyon Fire shows signs of success.
The city’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau started its "Welcome Back" campaign in July in an effort to draw people back to the region. Bureau spokeswoman Chelsy Murphy says it's funded by reserve CVB monies, and regional groups like Manitou Springs and the Regional Business Alliance.
"Normally we would not advertise with our leisure travel dollars in the summer, because about the end of June people have really made their travel plans for a seasonal destination. But we extended the entire campaign through October 15th. Really to just drive some business."
The Visitors Bureau bases the upturn in tourism on the number of visitor guides ordered, and on the number of hits on tourism-geared websites.
El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark says the campaign is helping to communicate that parks, museums and retailers are open and ready for business.
"Waldo Canyon is in the past, and we are moving forward. And we want to welcome back our visitors to the Pikes Peak region."
The Bureau received a $100,000 federal grant to continue the campaign into next year.
