Garden City Gears Up for Tourist Boom!
Hey there, Garden City! Exciting things are lining up on the horizon for our lovely town, and it’s time to talk about what’s brewing among the bustling streets. Just two months ago, the city council rolled up their sleeves and unanimously passed a resolution to team up with Visit Savannah. This decision aims to promote Garden City as a top-tier tourist destination. And let’s be honest; who wouldn’t want to highlight our charming city?
What’s in a DMO?
First off, let’s clear up what a Director Marketing Organization (DMO) is. These non-profit groups help shine a spotlight on local attractions—from sensational restaurants to cozy accommodations and thrilling events. After hitting a snag with a different DMO that left our city in the lurch for over a year, Garden City reached out to Visit Savannah for a helping hand. They saw the potential in our beautiful city and were eager to help us promote everything we have to offer!
Entering a New Era with Experts
Leading this charge is CEO Joseph Marinelli from Visit Savannah, who’s brought in the insightful Robyn Iannone of 3P Workplace Consultants to get the ball rolling. Robyn’s currently cruising around the city on a listening tour, chatting with business owners and hoteliers to understand their priorities and customer bases as we gear up for 2025!
Exciting Developments Nearby
And here’s the scoop—over the next two years, Garden City will undoubtedly feel the ripple effects from several major projects just a hop, skip, and jump away from us. Think about this: the first Wawa in Georgia will open its doors only 20 minutes away in Pooler! Plus, there’s the Ghost Pirates Ice Cove and Anchor Park in Port Wentworth, which will bring plenty of visitors eager to explore. All these developments are easily accessible, making Garden City an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers!
Garden City: The Go-To Spot
Iannone points out that local business owners see the golden opportunity Garden City has because of its proximity to many appealing sites. It’s perfect for all kinds of visitors—from business travelers to families enjoying a weekend outing. The idea is to position our city as the ideal location for exploration, while also keeping costs friendly!
Looking to the Future
So what are the next steps? As we approach the end of the year, Visit Savannah and Iannone will huddle together to sketch out some dazzling strategies to promote Garden City’s local businesses. One of the first priorities? A shiny, new look for the Garden City tourism website. No one wants to stumble onto a site that looks like it’s still in 2013, right?
Building Engagement and Job Opportunities
Marinelli emphasizes that refreshing our online presence is just the beginning. They’ll be crafting both print and digital advertising strategies while thinking about how to engage with potential visitors via social media. Of course, all this effort is aimed at attracting more visitors, which ultimately means good news for our local businesses.
Iannone adds an important note—this initiative is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time to do everything right, and the good news is that both the city manager and local business owners are on board, ready to support this fantastic journey!
The Bottom Line
What’s crucial for residents to keep in mind is that this tourism and marketing plan has significant implications: it’s all about jobs! Increased visitors mean more hotel bookings, more diners enjoying meals at local restaurants, and overall more activity within our community. So let’s gear up, Garden City! Exciting times are ahead, and together, we’ll show the world what our lovely city has to offer!
