From Deseret News archives:
Passport to Utah County
Booklet highlights local attractions, with coupons
Every residence in Utah County soon will be mailed a Utah Valley Adventure Passport a 60-page publication highlighting 24 area attractions, with discounts and coupons to visit those sites.
Nearly 130,000 of the passport-size booklets are expected to be mailed out next week with brochures for America's Freedom Festival at Provo. Another 15,000 will be available at the UVCVB visitor information center, 111 S. University Ave., Provo, and through its Web site, www.utahvalley.org.
The booklets are the product of a partnership between the UVCVB and the hospitality and business communities in Utah County, said Joel Racker, president and CEO of the convention and visitors bureau.
"Our private partners really stepped up to the plate to make sure this is a great offering for both visitors and locals to use," Racker said.
Most of the attractions and businesses highlighted in the passports contributed funds to be part of the mailer, he said. Costs for the project still are being totaled, but Racker said he expects partners' contributions to cover 20 percent to 25 percent.
It's also viewed as a way to solve problems identified by the UVCVB through market research in 2004.
"We found out that most of the residents of Utah County don't know what there is to do in the county," Racker said. "They don't really think of us as a destination."
The market research also showed that one of the top sources people use for tourism information when visiting out-of-town family and friends is to ask those friends or family members, he said.
"The No. 1 reason we're doing this is so we can influence people from out of the area to spend more time in our county exploring Utah County, staying in our hotels and resorts and visiting the wonderful attractions we have," Racker said.
The Utah Valley Adventure Passport is the same size as an actual passport and comes with self-adhesive stamps designed to be applied to its pages after attractions have been visited.
Racker said the bureau has received positive feedback about the passport from local mayors and other elected officials, whose cities stand to benefit from increased tourism.
"I think it will be a fun project if people get involved with it," said Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertson. "It'll be good to get people within the valley to recognize what's here, and more so to get those from outside to come in."
The Utah Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau began operating separate from the county in August 2003. The nonprofit organization is funded by the county.
E-mail: jpage@desnews.com
Comments
- NFL: Week 12 recap 12:50 a.m.
- '12 Days' bill would top $87K 12:35 a.m.
- Study finds autism therapy works 12:35 a.m.
- Boy shot following traffic stop 12:35 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:24 a.m.
- Herbert builds his team of rivals 12:21 a.m.
- Corroon a step closer to governor 12:21 a.m.
- Monday on TV 12:18 a.m.
- Editorial: East, West and religion 12:17 a.m.
- A deficit commission? 12:17 a.m.
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Credit Coug defense for win
- Marriage definitions vary widely
- Field goals, penalties doomed Utes
- Cougar defense rose to occasion
- Banged up Jazz get best of Blazers
- Jones' joy for life remembered
- Fantasy is reality for BYU professor
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
869 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
474 - Max Hall issues apology
145 - BYU is champion of the state
137 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
117 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
116 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
90 - Hall's legacy measured today
79 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
69 - Utes fall to Seattle U. at home
65
I wanted to tell them not to go. I dropped subtle hints. "My money is on...
When I was a kid, I worshipped my grandpa. He was undoubtedly my hero....
Well said, Amy, and spot on. Hall has shown his true colors. It's what a...
I find it interesting that many of the same people who say that we can't...
None of these teams is going to be easy. They all have fine football...
Max, no apology was necessary, but the apology was polically correct. If...
Very good piece of writing, Amy. You summarized what many of us have been...
How is a top 25 finish make Utah a top twenty team? I think what the poster...
90% of the BYU & Utah fans have class, and Hall knows it. If you don't...
This might be my favorite article I've ever read from the Deseret News. Kudos.
Thank you for not giving up and don't give up now brother and sister...
Dr. Lois Lee's work with children who are victims of child sexual...




You can be the first to comment on this story.